Banded 4/30 - My Story

Enchanted · May 7, 2008

Like another thread here, I have found it so helpful to read the experiences of others that I thought I'd post my own.

Two days before surgery, I went to my surgeon's office to get weighed, have blood drawn and sign papers. I was on no specific pre-op diet (other than having to lose 5% of my original weight and not gain it back before surgery). As part of this visit, they discovered that my blood pressure (BP) was running low with a diastolic of 60 (I was taking BP meds). It was also at this appointment where I got prescriptions for lortab liquid (pain) and compazine (suppository for nausea).

My hospital (Bon Secours in Port Jervis, NY) has a bariatric unit (Center of Excellence). No need to go to admissions or fill out additional paperwork -- I was really impressed that everything was so well organized. I was given two super-size gowns (one to be worn in the usual fashion, one to used as a robe), a pair of huge blue no-slide socks. The rooms in the unit are semi-private with reclining chairs instead of beds. There is also one shared bathroom for all patients on the unit.

The nurses came in, started the IV on my inside forearm. I was given a long-lasting anti-nausea med (cannot remember the name of it). After waiting 30 minutes or so, I was loaded up into a bed and taken down to same day surgery pre-op. The pre-op was a room of perhaps five beds. I am a very private person and the idea of sharing space like this did not make me feel the most comfortable. However, the nurses and everyone there were very respectful, curtains were drawn, conversations could not be overheard -- a good experience.

My medical history was reviewed, nothing to eat, no make-up, no jewelry, confirmed I was there for lapband My blood glucose level (I'm diabetic) and my blood pressure (still lowish) were taken. The anesthesiologist came in to introduce himself. Asked about previous surgeries. I told him I always wake up coughing a lot and that I have season allergies. He asked the nurses to give me an abuterol treatment before taking me back. The breathing treatment (my first ever) was not a big deal...just breathe it in.

Finally, it was time to go to the OR! The RN came to get me and as she was wheeling the bed, she told me that two years ago, she had the same surgery by the same doctor and I was in excellent hands. Once in the OR and scooted over to the table (why I wasn't allowed to just get out of one bed and on to the table, I don't know), I started looking around the room at all of the equipment and then thought to myself, "Why am I doing this? I don't need to see it all." Laid my head down, the anesthesiologist said he was giving me something to take the edge off. A few seconds later, he asked how I was doing and that was that!

They woke me up in the OR, I remember not liking the oxygen mask. I also remember my eye itching. I reached up to rub it and the nurse grabbed my hand and tucked it back under the blanket. I had a fingerstick (I assume for blood glucose checking) and they put a HUGE piece of gauze and tape around my finger (I guess they don't have simple band-aids in the OR?). Anyway . . . I tried to rub my eye again and the nurse asked me to stop. I said, "you can't make me." And I tried again! The nurse said I really needed to stop and I said, "I don't wanna." Then she said, "You'll stop if you don't want to scratch your cornea and spend the night in the hospital." Fine, fine...I stopped. I heard her tell the nurses in recovery that I was being difficult. My response was, "I'm not trying to be difficult, I'm trying to be cute." They must have soooo many stories of people coming out of anesthesia! LOL

I also heard them talking about my BP dropping in the OR and requiring meds to bring it up. I did not wake up with the horrible coughing that I have had in the past, just a little bit of normal anesthesia clearing cough.

I had the leg massaging boots on -- weird feeling as you're coming out of it all!

Then, I fell asleep. Woke up in the hall of the bariatric unit. Got situated for getting out of the bed and walked to my room. Got settled into the chair. Was promptly presented with three one ounce cups of ice chips. My mouth was SO DRY. I dozed a bit. Got up to walk the halls. Dozed a bit more.

Pain was ok. It was hurty, but not anywhere on on the level as my C-Section.

After who-knows-how-long, I was taken down to radiology, drank the bad-tasting (but not VILE) stuff. I could see the band! Woooo :angry_smile:

Went back up to my room, was given pain meds via injection. Rested a bit. The surgeon came in to talk with me. I think I was barely coherent. I asked about the size of the band (8cc with a 4cc fill) and that's all I remember about that.

After the doctor left, I was told I could get dressed and leave anytime. So, I got dressed, walked into the hall expecting there to be something to sign or something to do, but there wasn't. I walked out (another surprise to me). It is a fairly long walk from the unit to the parking lot. I'm surprised they just let you go like that -- unescorted. I was totally doped up, out of it. It was fine and I made it fine. Just surprising.

Once home, I crashed on the sofa. Then moved upstairs and crashed on my bed. I really and truly slept the first two days away. I took my liquid pain meds the first two nights (more anticipatory than because I was in severe pain). I had difficulty getting out of bed the first day. My worst pain was upon changing positions, especially standing up..I could feel things moving around.

I was supposed to drink one ounce of Water every 20 minutes while awake. The first few days, I know I didn't get enough water. By Saturday (surgery was on Wed.), I had not had a bowel movement and my instructions were to take two ounces of milk of magnesia. I thought it would taste gross, but it was not horrible. I had my first bowel movement about 2 hour later. And then diarrhea every hour after that for the rest of the day. I was afraid it would hurt...it did not.

My best friend became the heating pad on my back. It felt so...comforting.

I was not hungry a bit.

Had my first shower on the Sunday after surgery. Removed my bandages to reveal the staples. Turned my back against the water and let it flow. One of the best showers of my life.

Went in for my post-op check on Monday. Staples out. (I thought this would hurt, but I literally didn't feel a thing.) The doctor put steri-strips on the two largest incisions -- said it would help with scarring. Talked with the doctor, got instructions for food for the next two weeks (shakes only...gross). People said I looked good. I said I was still sore, but feeling better every day. They took my BP and it's up again, but not enough to take meds. My blood glucose level is excellent and I've not needed any meds since day or surgery. Wooooo :cursing:

Today is one week post-op. I have very minimal pain. Mostly at the incision sites. I don't burp at all...it feels like I'm going to, but then I hiccup instead -- that is uncomfortable. I've sneezed twice -- thought that would hurt, but it didn't. I have mild diarrhea (all-liquid diets will do that to a girl! and a boy, for that matter). I had five incisions -- two are covered with the steri-strips. The other three look like...paper cuts. I've lost 13 pounds or so.

I worked half-days on Monday and Tuesday. Back full-time today. I work from home in a stressful (but not physically strenuous) position and wanted to be sure I was completely together before coming back.

I'm completely together :smile2:

beanbean · May 7, 2008

thank you for sharing your story. i'm also surprised that they let you leave the hosptial without assistance. but i'm happy that everything went well for you

sshaw9126 · May 7, 2008

Thanks for the info. It is nice to know what to expect. My surgery is exactly 2 weeks from tomorrow!

KELVINSMOM · May 7, 2008

Hey there Enchanted. I was banded on 04/28/08. I was banded at Good Sam in Suffern. It was a great experience. The only thing was the excess air/ gas and bloated feeling. I am still experiencing a lot of indigestion. I went to my Primary Doc yesterday and she prescribed Aciphex. I do not know if it is a mind game, but since i have moved more into soft foods, the gas seems not as intense.

I also returned to work on Monday , with no problems. I hope that i will meet up with a lot of new "bandy" friends at my first support group in Chester, NY..

Enchanted · May 7, 2008

Chester is close. Where is the support group there? My surgeon's office has a couple every week. I need to make a point to get to them.

I forgot to mention in my original post that my belly was bloated like crazy for a few days. I seriously looked like I was pregnant. Would have been funny if it wasn't uncomfortable :cursing:

KELVINSMOM · May 7, 2008

oh heck, the support group was on 05/06/08 at the Chester Holiday Inn Express. The next one is not until June 3rd ...Introduction to Weight Training. I agree with the uncomfortable feeling in the stomach area. It seems to be getting better now.