Having surgery next month............

ladycd · December 23, 2008

HI EVERYONE,

I'M EXCITED AND NERVOUS AT THE SAME TIME..........I'M HAVING MY LAP BAND SURGERY JAN 15TH. ITS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. I WILL START MY PRE-OP DIET DEC 29TH,ATLEAST I WILL GET TO ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS:smile:.

I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY ADVICE...........

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AFTERWARDS............

ANY FEEDBACK WOULD BE APPRECIATED............

LILI:thumbup:

bethm · December 23, 2008

Hi Lady :thumbup: Congrats on your decision and your date.

I was banded on December 11th after a 10 day liquid preop. I can make a few suggestions :eek:

Stick to the liquid diet.. the first three or four days are VERY hard but it gets easier. Make a mantra that you are doing this for yourself.

Make an inspiration board. I did and it helps me so much. Mine is images of clothes I love and can't wait to fit in, kneehigh leather boots, (I even pasted my head on the outfits! lol), snowboarding, horsebackriding and some of my other motivations.

Write a note requesting the pain meds in liquid form and anti-naseau medicine so you can get that filled pre-surgery or if you're staying the night have a friend or family member fill it so it's there when you get home.

Expect the possibility of an emotional rollercoaster after surgery. I went through one bigtime. General Anesthesia can cause it as well as the fact it's an adjustment. It passes. I'm very happy now.

Bring a pillow (like a throw pillow.. love mine from pier 1) to the hospital for the ride home and press it against your stomach when you're sitting up, etc. The support will comfort you.

Some people have no pain. I was fine in the hospital with my morphine pump.. I did a lot of walking around the ward too. However when I got home it was painful. It was my first big surgery and that threw me for a loop. The pain on day 3 was the worse.. then day 4 on it got better. It was worth it.

Be kind to yourself and follow the dietary rules of your doctor to help your body heal correctly. You can do it. Some people were hungry right after.. personally I still feel satisfied and full 11 days later and am not having that hard a time following my restrictive diet.

Don't get too freaked out by the forums. I read way too much then I should have and every other post seemed to mention slippage, etc. But remember complications are very low in studies. This is basically a very safe and effective procedure and there are many many successful stories of people like you and I who get to their goal weight.

And don't let anyone tell you it's the easy way out. It's not. But I am very proud of myself for having done it and being committed to it. I may make mistakes down the road but this great tool is always there.. you can always get back on track.

Good luck! Hope some of this helps. Happy Holidays!