Excited but nervous-any advice?

shanmnband · October 1, 2005

Hi! I'm scheduled for Oct. 11th at Methodist Hospital in St. Louis Park with Dr. Jones. I would love to hear from people about their experiences. Any advice for me? I don't know anyone who has had it done and it would be so nice to get the inside scoop from people.

Thanks!

enndee · October 6, 2005

Hi": I see you are a Minnesota gal too! I am having my surgery next Tuesday like you, so will also be reading the responses you get about advice. My surgery is in Morris MN. I plan to go out and buy some chewable GasX beforehand. Are you on a special diet now? enndee

shanmnband · October 6, 2005

Wow- it's neat we are have so much a like- I would say FUN- but it's still surgery I suppose. It will be great to keep in touch with each other and see how we're both doing. I'm on a liquid diet right now- since last Saturday (10 days total). It's mostly carnation instant Breakfast and sugar free drinks (not soda though). It's strange......but it's actually not even that bad for some reason.. Crazy to think I haven't had a bite of food in six days and it all seems fine to me- feel fine also. I guess it's becuase I'm having one of the busiest weeks ever and haven't had much time to really dwell on it. What do they have you on?

Good luck to you and everyone this month!

chichigirl · October 6, 2005

Well, good luck to both of you ladies and I wish you a speedy recovery. All doctors do things differently, but mine was pretty simple. I had the surgery on a Monday morning, that afternoon I came to in my room and was still a little woozy from the anesthesia, but was okay. It wasn't until I got out of bed to go to the bathroom, that I realized that I had a big ouch!!! It was just where they put my port in on the left side, about midway down. Now my doc put the port in under the muscle at the same time he put in the band and tubing. I have heard that some people have the ports put in from on top of the skin, meaning they have an area where they cut into the skin, put the port in and then close the wound. It's the doc's call on that one. From the point of realizing that I was sore only when I stood up or sat down, I pretty much stayed in the chair and watched TV. No pain meds, didn't need any. Went home the next morning and I went back to work that Thursday, but the doc was a little miffed with me for going back to work so soon. In addition to getting GasX, some people really have a lot of gas pain after the surgery, I have also heard people say to bring a pillow with you to hold on your stomach for the ride home, it helps cushion you if you have any bumps in the road.

For me that was about it, no big deal to this day.

Hope this answers some of your questions!

Cindy

shanmnband · October 6, 2005

thanks so much! That was very informative!

SuperDaddy! · October 9, 2005

Shan-

You're gonna' do great! I just had my band put in on 10/04 down the road at Abbot in Mpls....and it was no problem. I was so scared at first...thinking about my wife and 3 lil' kiddos, and wondering if this was worth the risk. But truthfully, the success rate of this surgery is astounding. The procedure is relatively simple, and the surgeons are so skilled! My experience was just fine. I compiled some calm music (great hymns and praise music for me) and they kept my earbuds in the whole time. I had a picture of my family right there, and they were so encouraging throughout. When they actually put my under, they had to use twice as much anasthetic to fall alseep...I was pretty focused on that picture! It was as if no time had passed at all for me when they woke me up. The doctor said that one thing that made my surgery go so well was that I had last about 17 pounds in the weeks leading up to the surgery. The better you can do on your pre-op liquid diet, the easier it will be.

The recovery was no problem, and because I was a late surgery that day I had to stay just until the x-ray the next late morning. I was so concerned about not eating at all for nearly two days because I had to wait until after the x-ray...but it was no big deal. I have been home now since Wednesday, and I already feel darn near ready to go back to the real world. What's helped me is walking everyday, but not pushing it. Also, I make sure that I alternate where I'm at sitting, laying down...just getting mobile. Another thing that has helped me greatly was the strong support of prayers from friends and family.

Have they given you a good list of full liqud food options for before and after the surgery? I would see to it that you have them at home.

Best of luck to you. I'll remember to pray for you on the 11th.

shanmnband · October 9, 2005

SuperDaddy,

I really appreciated all of your kind and informative words! They are very helpful! I will keep all of your advice in mind. Thank you for your prayers on the 11th- that is the greatest gift!

I wish you continued success- congratulations on all of your accomplishments so far!

Thank you again!

Shan