banded last wednesday! my surgery story

Well I am back at work today after being banded last Wednesday.  So far everything seems to be going pretty well!  I woke up from surgery shaking, moaning, and cramping and I was really surprised.  I am one tough cookie, and I was kind of shocked at my reaction to it all.  The nurse gave me a muscle relaxer in post-op and that immediately took care of the pain.  Plus, my mom came back soon after that, and that calmed me down too.  I had a nice Morphine PCA pump with my very own button that I loved!

Spent that night in the hospital.  I had to have a roommate (she was older and was having mental status changes from a bad medicine reaction so she was zipped up in a veil bed and she had explosive diarrea!  she tried to talk to me all night through the curtain!!!  hilarious.)  and the room was so cramped.  I stayed by myself that night and did just fine.  I'd get up every hour to hour and a half and go to the bathroom (started my period the day before OF COURSE).  Never could pee, but I'd try anyway!  I'd walk myself up and down the halls.  My nurse brought me ice chips at first, and then later in the middle of the night I had some apple juice.  I fell asleep holding it and spilled it all over myself!  So that was another trip out into the hall for a clean gown.  I walked lots, pushed my pain button lots, and slept lots.  It wasn't bad at all.

My mom came back around 7 the next morning.  I made her climb in bed with me and I cried.  I think just a rush of emotions like holy **** i really did it!   Plus, all the morphine didn't help.  She just patted me and let me cry.  I was also pretty uncomfortable at this point.  I finally call my nurse and tell her that I still couldn't pee and hadn't peed since before surgery.  She was shocked and got me a cathed immediately.  It was such a relief!  I had over 1100 ccs of urine in the bag.  She said you start feeling the urge to go at 200-300 ccs, so no wonder I was uncomfortable!

We got loaded up in my mom's car for the hour and a half drive to her house.  I ALMOST threw up and we had to stop for me to catch my breath.  I didn't get sick.  We stopped the car twice for me to get out and walk around. 

So I did my clear liquids for 1 day, all liquids until saturday, and now i'm on pureeds.  I have already made the potato soup and pinto bean dip from susan maria's book and blended them down to puree and they are awesome!  I'm still doing my protein drinks, some skim milk, some yogurt, etc.  Oooh, I did make banana pudding yesterday and that was a wonderful treat.

Still a little uncomfortable, but it's more of a feeling of UGH I'm full rather than pain.  Wish me luck as I journey through these next few weeks to my first fill!

Casey

It's a wild ride isn't it?! Congratulations and welcome to the loser's bench. Things still don't taste right for me so I'm glad you are enjoying some of the foods you're trying. Take care and good luck! AT

Just wanted to say CONGRATS. Sounds like you had one heck of a hospital stay.  How much of the pureed food are you able to eat at a "meal" ? Sounds like your doing great. Thanks for posting. It seems like so far away for me, these post keep me encouraged while I wait.  God Bless, Tammie

I hope you're doing better!!!! My hubby and I are set for lapband July 12th with Dr Wellborn. So, you're just a few weeks ahead of us. Best wishes and a speedy recovery to you! Hugs :) Missy

Tammie, I am eating about 1/2 cup of pureed food at a meal.  I have no restriction right now, I don't think.  But my chest and belly still feel SO full, probably from gas and swelling.  I don't want to eat any more than that.  It's pretty easy now.  I imagine it will get harder as time goes by and I wait for that first fill!

Glad you are doing better. Were there complications of why you stayed overnight?  Sounds like you braved it and came thru just fine.  How are you feeling physically, mentally now?  Usually bands are placed unfilled. I was told ( and noticed) after a few weeks, you won't be able to tell you had anything done, until the first fill.. Susan