Your Surgery Day

[Angi281 77]

I think it would be good to post your surgery day experience to kind of prepare those that come after us. Mine was good but with a bit of a twist this was mine:

I got Banded on Nov 22 2013 I checked into the hospital at 730 in the morning. The took me to pre OP and have me all my stuff gorgeous gown, non slip granny socks and that ever so stylish cap for my head. I was the height of surgical fashion.

I stayed there for a while and they brought in several people to talk to about their role in my surgery. Then they sent in the nurse who would start my IV. Now this was fun let me tell you. Now you can't drink or eat after midnight before so you come in dehydrated. So starting and IV was a problem 3 painful attempts and I was good to go.

Next came the Chaplin to make sure I was ok and to pray with me he was a nice guy and made me cry over why I'm doing this.

Then came in my surgeon Dr Shayani. Love him, he is awesome came in cracked a few jokes with me told me what was going to happen and what I need to do post OP for a week. He wished me well and said he'd see me soon.

Next came the most evil shot a Heprin shot (blood thinner) the stuff goes into the upper arm and stings like a beast. But only for a few mins.

Then came the anistiologist (I'm sorry I can never spell that right) who told me what he was going to do and injected into my IV something the nurse said would keep me calm.

They came to wheel me to the OR and my hubby kissed me goodbye.

Once I got to the OR they we're setting up and I was starting to panic a little. Dr Shayani asked me what kind of music I wanted to hear and I told him KLove the anesthesiologist said he wanted Rock they started to argue about it. Lol I don't remember anything after that.

I came to with a nice nurse speaking encouragingly to me and as soon as I was more aware she gave me ice chips. Now here's where it got a little scary I couldn't swallow the chips. she assured me I was but I couldn't feel it one bit. That is a suffocating feeling. It lasted at least 15 mins they got the anesthesiologist and he explained they numbed my throat for the tube they used on me. By the time he was there it was getting better. After a little more time they wheeled me into a room where my hubby could see me.

I spent about a half an hour more then they started kicking me out. This is the only dark spot in the experience. Shayani said only go home if I feel good. And I sooo was not ready. They kept pushing me and telling me to get dressed and my husband to call a taxi. They took out the IV and the leg things they use for circulation. They waited in front of my bed with a wheel chair arguing with me I kept telling them I wasn't ready when I complained that I was dizzy and nauseous they said well you just had surgery. I was livid.

They wheeled into the lobby and left me there I could barely get into the cab the driver asked me what was wrong when I told her I just had surgery her jaw hit the floor. I had to get into the front and this sweet lady helped me get out along with my hubby. When I got my coat off my shirt was really bloody my incisions were bleeding a bit to make a mess but not profusely.

I called my surgeon. He said he was just going to call to check on me. I told him what happened and he was upset. He asked me if I wanted to pursue action. I said yes. I was terrified over what happened I didn't get any warning over this may happen and that it's normal (the seeping) Shayani was a sweetheart he reassured me I was ok and asked me to email him updates in a day or two and gave me his cell # in case was necessary. He was very cool. I told him everything going on with me and he said I was doing very well. We only had one time were we had to talk on the phone because he wanted further clarification.

Overall I had a good experience with the exception of the end. I love my surgeon and the people involved before that were wonderful.

I hope this helps I know not everyone has the same experience this was mine I would say that had I been more coherent I would have fought tooth and nail. So if that should happen to you fight. You should not go home scared. Good luck to you.

[Bandista 7,466]

Wow! That was quite an experience. I'm really glad an overnight hospital stay was required for my surgery. I didn't feel like I needed it -- wish we could have traded places as clearly you did. And the chaplain -- that would have freaked me out. There is so much variation in surgeons and their approaches to Lapband, the facilities, protocol, etc. How are you doing now?

[lisacaron 5,075]

I agree with you Bandi, an overnight stay was a blessing. When I was released to go home I was feeling pretty good. Drinking Clear liquids moving my body and not feeling nauseated.

Everyone has a different experience but my goodness, you just had surgery and they should have been more worried about you suing them if something went wrong then trying to shove you out the door.

Next time, I would take action against the hospital. Even if you are OK, the chances are that someone that gets treated like that is NOT going to be OK, and that is inexcusable!

Glad your doing well Angi.

[Angi281 77]

Thank you, yes I'm.doing well (except my incisions sting now after 2 weeks) no one is more happy than me about that lol I will say that the hospital expects me to pay a 250 deductible (which would be if I stayed in the 23 hour observation) but since they bullied me out I am writing letters now. They can go spit.