Lap Band Surgery Day Stories

[Shamrockgirl60 1]

Well looks like it went pretty smoothly for everyone. I am getting banded on August 7th at Lahey Clinic in Burlington, MA. I have to stay overnight they like to keep band patients on night for everyone and home the next day. I now am looking forward to it.

Thanks again for all the uplifting stories.

[lynnvs 0]

My husband, Graham, and I arrived at the hospital (Martha Jefferson Hospital, in Charlottesville, VA) at 6am, spent a few minutes signing consent forms and updating my living will (scary time to do it!), then took the elevator to the 4th floor day surgery unit. A wonderful nurse arrived to check my vital signs, inject heparin into my belly (painless, although there was a little stinging sensation for a few minutes) and start an IV. Both the anesthesiologist and my surgeon arrived to say hello and go over the plans for the surgery. Just seeing them calmed me tremendously; both are clearly competent and confident that all will go well.

By about 7:30, I was wheeled into a surgical room where a nurse greeted me and introduced herself and the other members of the operating team (nice touch!). I climbed onto the table and tried to relax as the team rapidly started to prep me: I don't recall any specific; just a flurry of activity, lots of reassuring statements, then the mask coming down over my face.

I woke up in a fog to someone asking me how I felt. I managed to whisper 'sick...'. A few minutes (?) later - by 11:00am - I was in my bed in my room. When a nurse was asking me how I felt, I could still manage only a very weak 'sick...' A very understated word for the nausea that overwhelmed me. I wanted desperately to not move in the slightest, not even to answer simple questions. Poor Graham was being very solicitous, hovering anxiously, but all I wanted to do was stay very, very still and hope that the nausea went away quickly. I do very clearly remember thinking that I never, ever want to undergo surgery again.

I was allowed Water immediately (just small sips) and soon ice chips. At noon, a food tray was brought in – broth, sanka, and Jello. I couldn’t stand to even look at it!

By 1pm, I was getting out of bed (with great difficulty) and walking down the hall with the nurse and my 'IV tree'. Strangely, it felt good to be walking around even though it was also painful and tiring. I began to look forward to the walks every 2 hours; they helped with the headache and gas pains that were causing me the most discomfort. There was no pain at the incision sites, just tremendous pain in my shoulders and abdomen from the gas.

I was given alternating doses of liquid Lortab and IV morphine. The lortab didn't seem to help with the gas pain at all; the morphine did - or at least it allowed me to doze off and ignore the pain. The afternoon and evening passed in a more-or-less uncomfortable haze. The pain ranged from 2 (a brief period following the morphine kicking in) to 8, mostly hovering about 4-5.

The nurses were all absolutely fabulous. They were caring, supportive, informative and well-versed in post-bariatric surgery care. They kept telling me that the pain would get better, and gave me stories about previous clients who were now doing "wonderfully" with the lap-band. They really made all the difference in my recovery by keeping my spirits up and responding quickly to my pain. They also kept me in popsicles; the only thing that seemed to make me feel better ☺

Unfortunately, by about 1am, June 24th, I was in excruciating pain - 9+ by my scale, and feeling flushed and nauseous. The nurse on duty called my surgeon; he authorized morphine and anti-nausea medication hourly. I will be forever grateful to two of them for keeping the pain and nausea at bay and allowing me 4 precious hours of sleep. I never found out what caused the sudden pain – probably gas.

I woke up at 6am and immediately wanted to go to the bathroom. Getting out of bed was touch, but once up I felt like walking so did a few “lap-band laps” around the hallways. Walking really does help.

By 7:30, I was being wheeled to have my barium-swallow (to make sure that liquids flowed through the port and stomach). Everything was ok, and I was back in my room by 8:00am.

I did some more “laps”, tried to read but finally gave up; I couldn’t seem to concentrate on anything. By this point, I just wanted to get home to my own bed – even though the nursing staff, my surgeon & anesthesiologist were all extremely caring and supportive. I really can’t say enough about the quality of care at MJH – absolutely top-notch!

By 11:00am, I was in the car (pillow tucked between my tummy and the seat belt); by 11:10 I was home!

Now, 5 days later, I’m feeling much, much better. I came home with lortab, but ended up not taking it – I just don’t like the loopy feeling, and liquid Tylenol worked well for me.

[gingin 0]

Thankfully, we didn't have to arrive at the hospital until 11 am for a 12:30 surgery time. This allowed me to spend a lovely night with my family and to wake up with our 3-year-old in the morning as usual (we were originally planning on leaving him with Grandma if I had an early arrival time).

Maybe it's just me and my paranoia, but I felt like I had to tie up all the loose ends in my life...facing your own mortality isn't something we like to do nowadays. I told everyone I needed to that I loved them and made sure hubby knew what all my wishes were if the unthinkable were to happen. Now onto brighter things...

I woke up about 7 am and jumped in the shower. After making sure all my areas were, ahem, appropriately groomed, I cheated and put conditioner in my hair after shampooing (not really sure what the bizarro reason is that you can't condition before surgery...but my hair really needs it). I did follow the rule of no body lotion, but must admit that I also put a pea-sized amount of lotion on my face so I could actually move my face (it is so dry in the summer). I deodorized and brushed my teeth and begrudgingly, did nothing to my hair.

I then woke up the hubby and the boy and fed them. We then piled into the car and drove to Nana's house to drop of Junior. After that, my husband and I made the 1 1/2 hour trip to Boston (Jamaica Plain, actually) for my surgery at Brigham & Womens Faulkner Hospital. We arrived 45 minutes early, so we decided to go and sit at a nearby park for a while.

There, I cried like a baby for a little while (not sure why I was so nervous), told him he was the man of my dreams, and I, again, made sure he knew how to brush Junior's teeth, feed him, and all the basic stuff he is lost without me for

Alas, the time past and it was 10:50 am so we made our way back to the Hospital. On arrival, we got the last parking spot in the entire garage all the way up on the roof level (I kid you not). We then entered the building and went to registration and then they sent me down to the surgical suite.

They very quickly put me in a room to "admit" me and asked a million questions, drew my blood for typing again, and had me change into the highly fashionable double johnnies (one on forward, one on backward) and some cute little footsies (not really cute, they were gray).

We then were escorted to a holding area where I sat on a bed with a nicely warmed blanket and were informed that the doctor was running late. We were probably there for about 1 1/2 hours all together before I was wheeled in.

In the mean time, my IV was started, and I was asked questions by 5 other people: the anesthesiologist, the nurse anesthetist, the lead nurse in the OR, my doctor's chief resident, and then my doctor.

The nurse anesthetist, Beth, gave me some "versa" to relax me and I kissed my hubby goodbye at about 1:30 pm. They wheeled me into the OR and had me scoot onto the operating table. They then secured my arms to two tables on either side of me and I remember nothing after that until they were waking me up and telling me to stop thrashing after surgery!

Recovery was hard the first half of the day, but by nightfall I was feeling much better...

I still, however, havent pooped and that is really bothering me

[sportscar 0]

I have to agree with quite a few of you. Surgery was not bad at all..just the pain on the left side from where the port is.

I had to be at the hospital at 10:30 yesterday for a surgergy time of 12:30 p.m. Waiting was the hardest part. The surgergies before me were running late. I didn't get in until 3:00 p.m. I didn't know that I was to receive a shot in my stomach to help prevent blood clots. It stung but not as bad as the IV needle. I have always had problems with those in the past. I can remember going to the OR and the nurses telling me that I would'nt remember anything. I do remember them talking about a nurse that had the procedure done and how well he was doing while they were having me stretch my arms out to be taped down. They explained why they tape them is because patients when they sleep pull them to their sides. That was the last I remember until I woke up the recovery room. The nurses were fantastic. My pain was about a 3.5. It was just a pain on my breast bone. The incisions I didn't feel. They gave me a something (not sure what) and the pain went to about a 3 then went away. We went to my room about 6:30 p.m. This was a bad experience and I appreciated the nurses moving me quickly to another room. I had a roommate who had about 8 visitors and eating a fried stale food smell. I immediately got nauseated and the nurses put about 3 alcohol swabs unter my nose and oxygen mask and whispered in my ear they were moving me to another room. The nausea went away and it was very nice to have a private room for the evening. The ice chips and apple juice went down fine and my husband and I could see some fireworks from the window. By 2:00 a.m. I was feeling much more human and actually had to go the bathroom. After that I sleep till about 6:00 a.m. I didn't have any more pain medication since this time. The barium swallow does not taste very good but it was neat to see where the band is in my stomach and watching yourself swallow is a different sensation to see. My doctor came to see me about 11: 15 a.m. and said everything went fine. I apparently had a little bleeding with a stich from the lap band but it was ok after about 5 minutes. He was afriad I would have trouble swallowing today, but was glad I did not. Because I stuck strictly with the 10 day liquid diet to a tee, it made the surgery that much easier for him. I was discharged at 12:45 p.m. At home, my husband gave me some Jello and Water and then I took a nap this afternoon. I just finished 8 oz of organge Isopur - not the best tasting to say the least, but I do want to me sure to get Protein in every day. I want to try my best to have no major hair lost. Has anyone had problems with losing hair? All in all, I would recommend this surgery to anyone. I am looking forward to a new me. And when the weight is gone, I will do something that I have always wanted to but didn't feel I could because of being overweight....SKY DIVING.

[Furgie 0]

I can't believe how smoothly the whole process has been for me. My surgery was on 17.06.08 in New Zealand. I didn't have to be in hospital until 2.30pm so was a bit of a long wait. After completing pre-op tests i was shown my room and changed into the sexy gown they put you in then waited until 5pm when I was wheeled to theatre. The surgeon had been called away on an emergency so had to wait til he returned at 5.30pm. Woke up again just before 8pm in recovery. Apparently I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. I was so relieved to get through it I guess. My sister and neice were waiting in my room which was cool. Was pretty out of it that night. felt very comfortable all night. woke up at 4am feeling really rested and just read and dozed and watched tv til around 7am with a nurse popping in and out to do what she needed to. The surgeon and anesthetist popped in in the morning and both said the surgery went extra well although apparently I woke up on the operating table which they thought I may have been aware of, but nope. My sister picked me up about 10am and off home I went. Have had times of being just uncomfortable but no real problems and have lost 13kgs so far. Wahoo Wahoo.

[ann71 0]

i had my surgery i dont remember anything after i got on the table till i woke up what hurts the most is the port area i have five incisions all with staples cant go to work till sat and i get the staples out tues am swollen alot how long does it take to go down and the pain to go away

[Kiki220 0]

I had my sugery last wednesday and I am at the hostipal as I write this waiting for my fiance. It is 12:30 now...we got here at 6:15 for a 7:30 surgery. They didn't go in till after 8 and a little after 10 the nurse came out to tell his mom and I that he was still in surgery because there had been some bleeding. I remained calm but his mom's eye's welled up. They had to stop what they were doing and stop the bleeding but and after the third attempt it stopped. They also had to put in a drain because of this. Anyone else have this? I was able to see him at 12 for about 5 mins. Very tired and a little nausuea so they gave him more meds. I am sipping chicken noodle Soup broth and hoping he gets into a room soon.

[Shamrockgirl60 1]

Wow Kiki the two of you doing this together that's wonderful, in a year no one will recognize you both....the best of luck and take care.

I am being banded August 7th.

[annabella 7]

I was banded 07-02-08. I arrived at 9:00am for my 9:30am appt. I was in pre-admission for a little over 2 hrs. The next thing I remembered is the nurses waking me up. I woke up with the most horrid case of nausea EVER. It lasted pretty much the whole day. Had it not been for that I would have been fine. It was extreme despite medication. I was so sick that I had to take ice chips for cotton mouth but had to spit them out as I was too nauseous to eat them. I had the dry heaves and got nervous about the throwing up but my dr said it was fine and my band would be ok. I was nauseous from surgery but what put me over the edge was the sticks with sponges on them that they swab your mouth with. THEY taste disgusting and made me throw up. At around 9pm that night it started to ease up. I went from ice chips to some juice and felt much better. I was released the following morning at 10am. I have been in minimal pain from actual surgery but the left shoulder pain is starting to get to me. Its very painful and hurts when I just breath. They said it would subside and Iam sure it will. I just hope its sooner than later.

Iam not missing food like I thought I would. I have found I cannot tolerate anything like Jello or popsicles right now. So Iam drinking broths, diluted juices and Water. Iam not hungry although my tummy growls on occasion. Iam down 7 1/2 lbs already! The nurse said that it was fine that I couldn't tolerate them right now, she said just to try each day and eventually I would be able to tolerate them.

My surgeon does not require 2 wks liquid so I start pureed/mushy tomorrow. I will try some things tomorrow like my Protein drinks and go from there. Iam happy with my decision to get the band. I know this tool is what I needed to get the 85 lbs off. Iam following their rules and feeling good. Now, if the shoulder pain would just go away I would be GREAT.

Edited July 5, 2008 by annabella

[SanDiegoSusan 1]

My Surgery Day

I was banded on Wednesday, July 2nd, but the story starts the day before when I received a call to be in pre-op at 8:05am. My original schedule was 9:10 and my ride has small kids and even the 9am was going to be tough so the 8am was impossible. I called back to clarify that my surgery time was 11 and my check-in was 9 and was told. “Oh, a surgery was cancelled and they moved your surgery up.” Ok, I know I can be a little picky but shouldn’t they have told ME about this development? I told her that with my ride I couldn’t be there at 8am although I could probably be there at 8:30. (I live about 45 minutes from the hospital.) She replied that she would let them know but they may have to cancel my surgery. WTF?!?! She called back later and left a message stating she let them know and they may call me later if there was a problem.

Needless to say I didn’t sleep that well that night wondering if my surgery would be cancelled so the staff could get a head start on the holiday weekend. My friend driving me in got the three young kids moving and we left early and hit almost no traffic so I ended up checking in at 8:25am. And then sat there until 9:20am. (Mostly I felt bad for my friend who had to kill an extra 40 minutes with the kids before the Water park opened up at 10. Turns out for nothing as they moved me back to my original time.)

However, other than this added stress and lack of communication everything else went beautifully that day and I am extremely happy with Dr. Horgan’s team and UCSD! Sue, the pre-op nurse, came and got me about 9:20 and took me to a small, private room where I changed into a hospital gown that wrapped around me almost twice which was great as my fanny was never on public display. I was also given socks to keep my feet warm but not the kind that work to avoid clots. And yes, you had to be fully naked under the gown. Heavy sigh. Sue came back and asked me several questions that I would be asked a few times that day then gave me a heparin shot allowing me to choose between thigh or stomach – I picked thigh. (Yes, it burns but totally manageable), And she put the IV in – this was my only setback area. She couldn’t quite make it work in my left hand, bad vein I guess, and had to finally put it into my right hand where it went on the first try. Interestingly, the bruise on my left hand is worse than the one on my right showing how hard it must have been to get in.

Several extremely nice and caring people came and talked to me – surgical nurse, anesthesiologist, an intern working on part of a study and a doctor who needed fat samples for a study they were doing on fat cells and diabetes. I told her she could take all the fat she wanted, far more than the two tiny pieces she was requesting. Unfortunately, free liposuction was not to be included this round. I also gave Sue my POA for healthcare with my healthcare directives. Then I was ready for surgery but there was a slight delay as they had to get the permission form for me to sign for them to take the fat samples.

Finally, all was signed and explained and Sue walked me down to the operating room. The anesthesiologist and surgical nurse were in there but not yet Dr. Horgan. They had me lie down on the operating table and covered me with a warm blanket because it was freezing in there then asked me some general questions to make sure it was me and they were doing the right procedure. (Which is good because I would have been a bit miffed if I had woken up with a gastric bypass.) I remember them fitting the mask over my face then I was gone until I woke up in recovery!

Just a note: If you are going in alone like I did and don’t have a spouse or family member/friend staying all day, you can still bring stuff and they will put it into a safe place for you. I hid some money in my stuff because I knew I would have to pick up a prescription later as well as my driver’s license for check-in, but nothing was touched and Sue took good care of my stuff and locked it away for me.

I woke up freezing! I mean teeth chatting, body shaking cold. :eek: The nurses covered me with warm blankets and I warmed quickly and dozed on and off for about the next 2 hours. (Time is blurry so this is just an estimation.) I didn’t really sleep because of all the machines beeping around me which was annoying but I guess they felt it was kind of important to know if my heart stopped beating or some silly thing. :biggrin2: After a couple hours they sent me down the hall for a barium swallow (for the life of me I can’t remember how I got there – walked or wheeled?) and showed me my band saying everything looked good.

I laid back down and about 3pm my ride home, Paul, showed up a little early so he went and took care of my prescription while I got dressed and used the bathroom. I felt odd, but no pain or nausea and Paul kept remarking how great I looked considering what I just went through. (Granted a biased opinion but I didn’t look like death warmed over which was what he was expecting.) The lack of nausea may have been due to my letting the doctors know I am very prone to motion sicknesses and them using a preventative. I saw the surgery marks in the mirror and although I usually have a cast Iron stomach I didn’t spend much time looking at them as they were swollen and painful looking.

The nurses helped me pack up and Paul went to get the car and pull it up to the front of the hospital. They wheeled me all the way to the car and we drove home. The drive was long (although I got lucky on traffic again) and I was a tiny bit queasy by the time I got home, but not too bad and I shuffled in the house and sat in my overstuffed recliner while Paul brought in my Water bottles, feed the pets and fussed about my welfare. He had to leave soon after as his dog was being boarded and I was glad for the chance to take a long hard nap. I did take a couple of doses of Tylenol with codeine that night and the next day but haven’t needed it since. I dozed and watched TV all evening, went for a 12 minute walk, and finally decided to try sleeping in my bed about 9pm. I had a body pillow that I am still using, sleeping on my side with my left leg over the pillow, and it has worked really, really well.:tt2:

I have had a remarkable recovery, in my opinion, and am amazed at how easy the process has been. Very little gas pain and usually relieved by sipping water and burping, almost no pain except for the ongoing feeling like I had a rough session with a personal trainer who likes the stomach crunches too much. My brain was a little fuzzy the first couple of days and this is really the first time I felt like I could write this all down, but that is clearing up. (Since I keep finding typos in this obviously is not totally cleared up.) I started taking 12 minutes walks the first day (one), did three the next two days, and am now walking about an hour plus a day. I don’t walk too fast because the port wound hurts if I do and I hold it while walking or getting up but that may be more to do with paranoia then actually needing to hold it.

I think the six-week diet and the two-week liquid diet helped tremendously. I lost 28 pounds in the two months before surgery and I think all that room left less space for gas. Today is my first day of full liquids after 4 days of Clear Liquids and I am being very careful about following directions exactly. I know I have a lot of healing left even though I feel fantastic and I am usually so active and independent that I am going to have to force myself to have a friend come over to change my 3-gallon water bottle and remember not to roughhouse with my dogs. But I feel great. I am extremely happy with my decision. I am thrilled with how well my wounds are healing and I think Dr. Horgan’s skill and his program combined will make this a very successful outcome! Again, I am very happy with the UCSD program and the “very strict” Dr. Horgan and the wonderful staff who took such good care of me.:thumbup:

But now it’s time for a nap!

[Barbiek 0]

Hi All,

I had my surgery on July 2. I was first up for surgery that morning so I had to leave my house at 5:00 a.m. to be at the hospital by 6:00. Surgery was scheduled for 8:00. My husband drove me to the hospital, and I was very worried the whole time driving and also when I got there. But as soon as they put on the gas mask, I was out, and I don't remember a thing after that except waking up in recovery. My first thought was "Thank God I'm Alive!" :thumbup: and felt very happy that I woke up from surgery, as this was my biggest concern. I was not afraid of surgery, I was afraid of anesthesia. After being in the recovery room for a while, they moved me into a private room and I just slept. They gave me morphine pain medication (whoo hoo!) and all was well at that point! I was not able to eat anything at all that day, but they gave me these little sponges with a long stick to keep my mouth moist. I wanted to suck all the Water out of those little sponges but they wouldn't let me, they were only to keep your mouth moist. Well, I stayed overnight (insurance requirement) and then they wheeled me to x-ray the next morning where I had to drink a few sips of barium (yuck!) and they took the x-ray and said everything was fine. I was wheeled back to my room for my first meal which was an all clear liquid (tea, Jello, chicken broth, apple juice) and that went down fine. I was not hungry, but it did taste good. About an hour later they gave me my 2nd meal (cottage cheese, vanilla pudding, soup) and that went down ok too. After that they said I can go home. I was fine on the way home. I put a pillow between me and the seat belt (highly recommeded for the ride home) and was on my way. I very sore the next day (sore like I've been hit by a truck) and each day has gotten better. I am 4 days post op now and I am feeling much better. Still sore and a little gas pain, but it's manageable. Each day gets better. I will be going back to work on Tuesday, July 8 and I should be ready by then. I am very happy with my decision to have lap band and I am looking forward to this journey.

[innwtitdtity 57]

I am just getting home today my surgery was yesterday 7/8. Everything went great. My surgeon loaded me up with anti nauseau meds so I haven experienced any of that. The only paid I have is from the gas in at it in my shoulders. I took some gas x and some liquid tylenol and that seems to be helping. I did not fill my script for the roxicet, I am going to see if the tylenol is enough. Not too much pain and I am hoping it stays that way. Not too much sleep in the hospital, room mate snoored, machine kept alarming due to a low pulse rate, air pumps on legs and the room was very warm, but I am at home and in my own bed now. Good luck to everyone else and I will post again later.

[cranberry31 0]

this is my absolutely best freaking story!

I am also going to be banded by Dr Aceves on july 18th, I am also an RN going over there by myself and you my friend totally rock it!

[shellbell99 0]

Hey Cranberry! I'm off to Dr. Aceves 5 days after you! Please let me know how it goes for you! Good luck!

[Mommy.ArmyWife 6]

A couple people asked for experiences, and I just got banded, so I'll share a bit. I actually was nervous about the surgery! Not about having the band itself, but the thought of something going wrong during surgery. Well, I had NOTHING to worry about. The doctors and nurses were so kind, and took WONDERFUL care of me! First, I got checked in, and settled into my pre-op room. My surgeon came by, made sure I knew exactly what was going to happen, and wanted to make sure I didn't have any last minute questions. Then, he went to get ready for my surgery. The nurse came in after Dr. Cribbins, and put my IV in, then the anesthesiologist (sp?) came in. He explained what he was going to do, then gave me a shot in the IV. Basically for nerves, and a precurser for going under. I got kinda loopy, and wasn't nervous any more! I remember being wheeled into the surgery room, and then, the A-ologist put the mask on me, told me to take a couple breaths... the next thing I remember is waking up in the recovery room. I was quite uncomfortable, I have to be truthful. Not so much pain, just really uncomfortable. I was hooked up to all sorts of monitors and such, and it really was no fun. I dealt with it, and soon, I was moved to my hospital room. There was a flurry of nurses at first, respiratory therapists, and techs checking monitors, asking if I had pain, and such. Basically making sure I was ok. I got pain meds every 12 hours, and was able to ask for more if I needed them. I did a couple of times. My hospital was as close to a 5 star hotel that it could be, movies on demand, room service (although all I had was som super-yummy apple juice), and internet on the tv. Everyone made sure I was comfortable. I was asked to drink 2 ounces of cold Water an hour if I could. I was SOOOOO thirsty! It wasn't uncomfortable to drink, and although I could definately tell a difference with the band, I had no pain or nausea when I drank the water out of my little "shot glasses". I really could have drank more, as I was so thirsty for a while! Luckily, all the fluids they gave me through the IV helped. It was difficult to get up and go to the bathroom, though, with all the wires, and cords, and such! My husband had to help me get the hang of it, lol. I had "puff shoes", as I call them, that were sort of like a blood pressure cuffs that puffed the bottom of my feet to help with circulation. The puffed like twice a minute on each foot, left/right/left/right...Those were annoying as heck, but I got used to them and was able to sleep. I got more comfortable as time went on. My nurse and tech woke me up alot during the night. Checking IV's, and my oxygen levels, and blood pressure and what not... it was bareable. The next morning, They came and wheeled me to X-rays. I got the upper GI done, and all was fine. It was really cool seeing the Xray of my new pouch, and the band and all. Seeing that made it SO real! Then, afterward, the nutritionist came and talked with me. She was really nice, and so much like a Lap Band Cheerleader, lol. She made sure to tell me so many times, "We want to hear about your success! Please let us know! You're going to do so great!"

Then, my doctor came in, and checked me out, told me how well the surgery went, and that it was super-fast. He said that it was the picture perfect surgery, lol. Like anyone would like THAT picture! He was really encouraging, and such.

Then, his nurse gave me lots of info, most of it the nutritionist already gave me, but they gave me a special calendar that showed when I could have certain foods, and when my appts were and such. It was cute.

I did have one unexpected thing. I had an On-Q. It's basically a pressurized, portable IV that has pain meds that are put directly into my stomach area. Now, it REALLY helped control the pain, the only worrysome part was the fact that I had to remove it myself, 4 days after surgery. Not to mention, having to carry the little purse around. It was fine, and I am definately glad I had it! I just wish they would have told me before hand.

Anyway, they came and removed my IV, I got dressed, and I got to go home! I'm on day 4, and starting full liquids. Making sure I get my Protein, and trying to make sure that I stick to the diet, and don't screw anything up. The LAST thing I want is a slip!

In anycase, that's my surgery. All doctors and hospitals are different. And, of course, every surgery will be different, but I hope that all of you who were wondering will realize that it will be FINE, and all will be well! Just know that you don't have to worry, and you don't have to stress out! It'll be great, and you'll be on your way to a new you!! I know I am!! Even through the pain, I know this was an EXCELLENT decision! You will think so too!