Surgery 8/30/07

[Roo 0]

Hello everyone I'm new here. My surgery is this thursday 8/30 by Dr. Felix I am so nervous I feel sick. I think the thing that most worries me is how I will feel after surgery, Does it hurt? At the same time I wish it would hurry and get here already. My sister was going to have surgery with me on the same day but her insurance won't approve her until she finishes this supervised diet for 6mos. Now I feel alone.

So if someone could tell me what to expect the day of and after it would be great I'm really scared.

Thank you

[kacee 3]

Roo, I had it done three months ago. I have had surgery before on my abdomen (emergency appendectomy) so I was expecting something like that. NO SO!!! There is a HUGE difference with laproscopic surgery. It is very UN-invasive. I went to the hospital at 6:30 a.m. They checked me in and took me to my room where I just snoozed a little. They came in about an hour later and put me on the gurney and took me to the pre-op area. I was in there with two other people waiting to go in (one before and one after me). Here I was given my IV line. We were all very giddy and gabby in pre-op and talking to the nurses, ALL of whom had had their bands for several years. The anesthesiologist came in and gave me a little sedative (I was too excited...it didn't do much!). The surgeon stopped in and looked at my chart and said hi. Then they wheeled me into the OP room and I crawled on the table. They put the "leg squeezers" on me (those pump things that keep your circulation going...feels like someone is hugging your lower legs). Then they put the drugs in the IV line and the next thing I knew I was back in the pre-op area. My thoat was rough and I had a hard time speaking (hoarse). I was a little nauseated, but waved someone over to give me something. Snoozed a little and later they took me back to the room where I snoozed a while. Then they got me up and I did a "lap" around the nurse's station. I was SHOCKED that I felt VERY little pain in my mid-section. When you have major abdominal surgery you have this "purckered" tight feeling like they pulled you together with purse strings. This was completely different and not anywhere NEAR as uncomfortable. Most of my initial discomfort was topical. I had a tight feeling in my chest. That was the band. I went home about 9:00 pm, only because I couldn't pee and I had to pee before I was able to leave. I went home and slept. You'll be somewhat sore around your middle, but not bad (if you were like me). You may experience pain in your shoulder, back or neck after a while. That's the gas. They puff your stomach up with air when they do they band, so they can see and move around inside....that is what takes the longest to get rid of. You could have gas for about a week or so. Get Gas-X, heating pad, and above all WALK WALK WALK.

[kacee 3]

You're gonna do pretty much nothing but lay around, WALK, and sip lquids for the first couple of days or so. I would suggest getting some Isopure clear drinks. You can have from from day one, because they fall into the "clear liquids" category. They will help with any possible nausea, feeling listless, etc.

Here's a link to read about it....

index

Have plenty of ALL kinds of liquids/mushies for your liquid stage....soups (not lumpy), shakes, pudding, yogurt, cottage cheese, all kinds of drinks.< /p>

TAKE your pain meds when you get home (You'll probably have liquid vicodin which is like red cough medicine looking). Don't wait to get really uncomfortable to take your pain meds. They will probably give you plenty and it's there to use, not to sit around. There are no awards for being a "martyr."

[Roo 0]

Thank you Kacee!! I appreciate your detailed info. I hope the feeling of not waking from surgery goes away. Such a morbid thing to think of.

Again thank you Have a great day.

[GABANDEDGRL 0]

I cannot believe that it is here. Tomorrow I will be banded at 11:30. Good luck to all you other August 30th bandsters and chat with you on the flip side.

[Iluvharleys 15]

Good LUck today! Don't forget to post and let us know how things went!

[mceni 0]

Hey Hey today is your day!!!! I was just banded one week ago today! It took this whole week to feel semi normal but you 2 will be up and at it real soon. Congratulations!!!!!!! We can finally have hope that has been missing for a long time!

[GABANDEDGRL 0]

:clap2:OK--I survived. Yesterday and today my hubby made sure to get me out and about for a little bit and if I am sleeping would wake me to walk around a bit. The gas is uncomfortable, and I felt as though everything I drank sat in my throat, so I was a little uncomfortable today. Everyday is getting better though.