Banding on 2/26 and nervous

TerMur · February 21, 2008

I am being banded next Tuesday and I am nervous. Can anyone give me any advise on what I can be doing before I go and what to expect in and after the hospital stay. I go back and forth on if I am going to go through with it because of the nervousness. Thanks for any help you can give

linesj · February 21, 2008

I don't have any advice, but I can sure understand how you feel. I'm partway through the pre processes, but don't have a date yet. Sometimes I think, forget it, I want to be able to eat (and drink!)whatever I want. Then I stop and think about what brought me this far--I really AM willing to do whatever it takes because I don't want to live this way anymore. I've tried everything else and at the end of about 30 years of diets, I'm bigger then ever. So I think "I want to be able to play with grandchildren" "I want to get off high blood pressure medicine" " I don't want to have a heart attack or stroke" and "there's so much more to life that I'm missing, losing a lot of weight will change my life, and I'm ready for that" I like my life, but it's very "small" I want more, and in my family women tend to live well into their nineties. I have a long way to go, and don't want to spend the next 40 years at 300 pounds. OH, and one last thing "I want to buy clothes at a regular store at regular prices". If any of this sounds familiar, remind yourself why you ARE doing this. I know I will be scared to death, but I also tell myself that the scarey part won't last forever. I've had 4 other surgeries. My first was the day after my last child to have my tubes tied. I REALLY wanted that done, but didn't want the surgery. I was up all night, hungry, thirsty, thinking I don't have to do this, I'll just eat something and cancel it. But I made it, I did it, and I was so happy with myself for sticking it out that I was on cloud nine, both to and from surgery. I'm really really hoping this will be something like that.

MrsFlipFlops · February 21, 2008

ha ha I had that same thought! In fact, moments before being wheeled into the surgical room, I was thinking, "you can pull out of this thing any time you want!!" I went in, the had me put on a gown and take off everything else. They had me pee in a cup for a pregnancy test then I laid on the bed. They hooked me up to an IV, checked my vitals, and gave a heparin shot in my stomach (it amazingly didn't hurt) to prevent blood clotting. I sat there with my husband until my anesthesiologist came in. She asked some questions then asked if I had questions.... I didn't as I didn't know what to ask. Then my surgeon came in, made sure I was feeling okay about the surgery, shockingly I said yes. My anesthesiologist came back in, she gave me a "margarita" in my IV. I got to the room, they placed me on the table, and next thing I know I'm waking up in recovery saying to myself "Oh my gosh, I went through with it!" The recovery nurse was not one to baby me, she made me get up right away, get to an Xray, had me drink for a few moments and I was out the door!

I don't know if you're religious or not. I had prayed about making the right decision about whether or not to have surgery and felt good about it. The morning of the surgery I was extra anxious and scared. I said a prayer to myself that if I made a right choice, that the Lord would help calm my fears. Seconds later I felt so much better.

Hope this helps and good luck!

TRENYA07 · February 21, 2008

I had my preop testing done today and the nurse informed me of what to expect on surgery day (2/26). It's the exact same as heidabear wrote except I get lovenox and an antibiotic. I'm very nervous regarding surgery also but I find exercise to be a good release for that "nervous energy". Besides you need to start preparing yourself for postop (if you haven't been). I'm just trying to stock up on things to eat postop. I'm a nurse and you think that would be simple.

nanaof5 · February 21, 2008

Good Luck linesj, we will all pray for you and I know everything will be o.k. for you, and you will be off of your meds and playing with your grandkids. I am 54 and had diabetes, sleep epna. high blood pressure, hypertension, and high cholestrol. I was banded 18 months ago and have lost 65 lbs and I am off of all my medication which was about 12pills or more a day. I also was worried and almost cancelled, but my doctor said if i did not do this i would not live to see 65! It will definetly be a big change in your life but in the end it will be worth it. I want to see my grandkids grow up and my young and only daughter get married, that is why I did not do the gastric bypass because it was more risky. God Bless.

tarheelfan · February 21, 2008

I had my surgery Mon. 2/18 As far I'm concerned I just left in the hands of the lord. My wife and I went to church Sun. and I placed a prayer request in the offering basket with out her knowing. They called while I was in surgery. As far as the pain, it was very minimal. I was up and walking the hallways late that afternoon. The liquid diet hasn't been to hard to handle. I actually feel full, maybe it's all in my head. I think it's normal to be nervous, but if you are really ready for you old life to be over and want the new life to begin, then just have faith and trust you have made the right decision.

AUSSIECHIK · February 21, 2008

im also being banded on the 26th 2 and i cant wait nervous but cant wait for it to be over and done with and for my new life to start... just think of wat will happen when u start losing ul be becoming a new person.. good luck

pandagirl · February 21, 2008

I can't tell you what to expect, but I can tell you are not alone. I think nerves are normal. I am just starting to get mine. I'm two weeks away and wondering if something awful will happen to me on the table. Chances are nothing will, but I can't help but knock on wood. So, good luck to you, to me, to all of us!