1st Day home - Story for upcoming banders

[Freedom2008 0]

Hello all

I was just banded on May 1, 2008. I checked in at 5:30 am, was taken to pre-op @ 20 minutes later and here is how it went. I was assisted by a nurse and a nursing student. I was given my lovely robe and slippers and a numbing shot for my IV site. I met with the anesthesiologist and his nurse at this time also. I hit the bathroom one last time then I was wheeled off to the OR. I know this is TMI, but I gotta tell ya - try if at all possible to have a bm the morning of your surgery so that you will not have to do any pushing afterward.

I remember scooting from my bed to the operating table, taking a deep breath then waking up in post op ( recovery). Before surgery I made sure to tell the nursing student to watch my face when I woke up so that if I had any pain I could get my pain meds started asap. Well, as soon I started to become aware, before I even opened my eyes, I heard the nursing student say "she's frowning!". The post op nurse asked me to rate the pain and I was given the appropriate pain killer and back off to sleep I was. I woke up @ 10:00 am to get moved to the outpatient recovery room and was able to visit with my family and watch tv for a while. I took a swallowing x-ray test and met with my surgeon who said that he wished all his bandings were as easy as mine. I guess my pre-op liver shrinking diet was worth it afterall.

I have small kids so I stayed with family to be waited on while my hubbie took care of the kids at home. It was so nice - my family served me broth hot tea, Jello, Water and my pain meds. They also read all of the literature and talked about how proud they were of me for being so brave and making a healthy choice.

I slept well on my left side and woke up at 4:oo am for some pain meds then was up and about reading throughout the day. I took a nap from noon to 3:00 p.m and was rested enough to come home tonight. I am still using my pain meds - though not every four hours like I was at first. I took great care not to use my stomach muscles even when they were feeling ok as I didnt want to be sore later. I also walked up and down steps several times and I think that is making my recovery so much easier.

Some of my concerns: I was afraid of being aware of the breathing tube being taken out. - It was out before I becare aware of anything. I was scared about the whole naked thing - I was draped with blue paper sheets and the portion of my stomach that was operated on was the only thing showing. I was worried that my large chest would get in the way - The girls were taped up out of the way. YAY!!

All in all, do not fear the pain... it is so doable and the surgery is so worth it!

[Allison 2]

Thanks for the story!!! My surgery is coming up this month and I'm really excited but really nervous. Everyone in the May 2008 threads would love to hear this story since they might not be able to find it here!

[jet 0]

thanks for your story it was good toread about your positive experience. I think i was expectign too much, i thougth Im tough, i will be over it real soon, but now on day 8 am only just starting to feel better. dont get me wrong im not knocking you, but just sayign it might not be that easy for everyone. It would also be helpful tohave someone brign your Jello, etc, im alone and that could be delaying my progress.

[Sarah8714 2]

I am glad it went well. Thanks for posting... Let me know how recovery goes. I am set for the 15th and took 5 nights off.

[kellygirl0520 0]

Good for you! I am glad you had such a pleasant experience. I am getting my band on Friday. I hope my experience goes as smooth as yours! Congratulations!

[beanbean 1]

i'm glad that everything went well for you...thank you for sharing your story

[triser72 0]

Thanks for sharing your experience! This is a wonderful account of the first couple of days!

[redhood007 0]

Sounds like your experience was as good as mine was....I am 5 days out and I am feeling good....I was awfully afraid of being naked and about my boobs also....I guess we are all afraid of about the same things...I am so glad I did it. I hope you are too.

[BanTam 1]

Now that's the kinda story I like !

My big worry is conscious intibation. I have sleep apnea and five years ago when I had an abdominal hysterectomy I had to have the breathing tube shoved down my throat while I was still awake. NOT a pleasant experience despite the banana flavored numbing agent...and yes, I remember everything including the feeling that I was choking to death.

My consult is on the 13th and if everything goes well surgery should be the middle of June.

....ooow...I need to go shake off that memory now ! :frown:

[Coco6399 0]

Thanks. I love stories about the positive side of the surgery. Good luck to you on your way to becoming a healthier person.

[Calif_Princess 0]

Thanks for the experience!!! I am a HUGE chicken, and that makes me feel better. I'm not scared of being naked or my boobs, just PAIN...lol what does that say about me? hehehe

Where is the fill port and is it visible?? Does it interfere with the band of your bra?

Melissa

5'8", 271lbs

goal: 130

[grossefemme 0]

Thanks so much for sharing this with us -- glad to hear all went well.

Blessings for continued healing and for the rest of your Journey!!

[Scarlett O'hara 0]

My surgery was very similar, it was done on the 30th. I thought about the 'boobs' thing too! I told my pre-surgery nurse I was worried I would be made fun of while I was on the table (I tend to overthink things). Of course she said no!!

A funny thing about the boobs - I told my BF that right now I cant wear a bra b/c 2 of my incisions are under each boob. She said "they put the incisions that high up?" I said "no, my boobs are that LOW" . So, just a couple days out and I am allready laughing.

[Freedom2008 0]

I have been wearing my soft (non-underwire) bras since surgery and have not had any problems. My highest incision is between the breasts at about the braline.

[Freedom2008 0]

Judy - You are right. I am lucky to have my family but I also decided to take care and baby myself even before they offered to take care of me. I think it helps to just let your body heal on it's own clock. Everyone has their own recovery timeline but positive thinking helps alot also.