I had my surgery this past Thursday!!! :)

DeniseC · November 5, 2006

Hi Everyone,

I had my surery this past Thursday and wanted to report to everyone (especially to those who have not yet been banded) what my experience was. I got to the hospital at 5:30 in the morning, met with everyone from the anesthesiologist to the OR nurses to my surgeon. The last thing I remember was being wheeled down the hall and passing my surgeon in his red surgical hat. Woke up in reovery and had to wait awhile before I could be taken to my room (at this hospital, lapband patients spend one night in the hospital).

For the next couple of hours, I was on morphine but asked them to take me off of it by about 4pm and give me the Tylenol 3 they had prescribed (it appears I'm allergic to most of the standard pain meds---they make me itch!)

I was sore but managed to get in about 4 walks around the hospital hallways to get rid of some of the gas. I was on IVs all day Thursday and until I left on Friday and my hands and wrists swelled up (I tend to retain a lot of water).

In the middle of the night, they started me on an anti nausea drug (in the IV) and woke me up several time to give me the pain meds.On Friday morning, I saw the surgeon, the surgical fellow and the nurse practitioner and they told me I could go home anytime and I finally left around 12:30.

I left with several prescriptions: Tylenol 3, Xantac (I don't have acid reflux but they have everyone take it as a precaution), Zofran for nauseau (have to take that for 2 days and then as needed). The Zofran knocks me out for several hours at a time, so I've gotten a LOT of sleep. Today's the last day I have to take it regularly. I haven't had any pain meds today. I am sore but not in a lot of pain. I'm moving pretty slowly and haven't eaten anything. I did weigh myself this morning just to see hwat was going on and I am actually 2 lbs heavier than the day of my surgery---I"m certain it is because of all the IVs! I also have tremendous intestinal gas,which seems to have a mind of its own! LOL

Anyway, it went really well and I'm pleased. Thanks to everyone on this board---I've been lurking a lot (and posting some) and you all give great advice!!!

Denise

Kat817 · November 5, 2006

Welcome to Bandland Denise!!! Let the fun begin!! Getting back to a "normal" life is a bit of a challenge, with the dietary restrictions to adhere to as you heal---but doing it is very important!!! Once you are back to regular food, and moving as before, you will be thrilled with the changes!

If you have any questions, or concerns, ask away, there are many VERY educated bandsters here, and they are all very helpful!!!

Rest, drink, and heal!!!

Kat

mypov · November 7, 2006

Thanks Denise,

As a pre-bandster I love to hear first hand accounts of how things went-- and it sounds like you had a very routine experience (a very good thing when talking surgeries :thankyou: Good luck to you on your journey!

JulieNYC · November 7, 2006

Congratulations Denise! Welcome to Bandland.

I'm sure you've heard this a thousand times, but remember this time is for healing and as soon as you get your fills you'll be losing like a maniac! I'm sure you'll do great until this as well, but if it's hard, remember that it gets so much easier once you're filled.

Congrats again and happy healing.

Take care,