HI! I AM A NEW MEMBER!!!

HI EVERYONE! MY NAME IS KIM AND THIS IS MY FIRST POSTING! I HAVE BEEN READING ALL OF YOUR POSTINGS AND HAVE RECEIVED ALOT OF GREAT INFO ON WHAT TO EXPECT AND ADMIRE THE GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT YOU ALL GIVE TO ONE ANOTHER.! I AM SCHEDULED THIS FRIDAY FOR LAP-BAND SURGERY AT ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL WITH DR. IRGAU. I WORK AT ST. FRANCIS( FOR ALMOST 30 YRS) AS A RESPIRATORY THERAPIST. I WAS ALITTLE NERVOUS HAVING THIS DONE WHERE EVERYONE KNOWS ME, BUT SO FAR EVERYONE HAS BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE AT WORK.PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT THOSE FIRST 2 OR 3 DAYS . I ASSUME I WILL BE REALLY SORE, BUT WILL I FEEL NAUSEA TOO? I KNOW THEY DON'T WANT YOU THROWING UP WHEN YOU ARE FIRST OUT OF SURGERY. I APPRECIATE ANY FEEDBACK AND AM VERY HONORED TO BE APART OF YOUR MESSAGE BOARD, HOPE EVERYONE IS DOING WELL WITH THEIR SURGERIES AND WEIGHT GOALS. I AM NERVOUS BUT EXCITED!!! YOUR NEW LAP-BANDER FRIEND!! KIM

Hi Kim and Welcome. The 1st day of surgery I was sore and did hit the pain pump but I walked every 2 hours. The next day was better and no nausea at all and soreness but not enough to need pain meds. I was more thirsty then anything. When I got home from the hospital I did take the pain med at night for the first 2 nights but didnt need it after that. There is a Lap Band Meeting the 1st Thursday of the month. Let me know if you need directions or any other info. I would be glad to share. Take care.....Sharon

Hi Kim, Just wanted to welcome you to a wonderful board. Everyone here is very supportive and helpful. I don't know what I would have done without these folks! I am scheduled for surgery at Christiana on 1/24, so I can't answer your questions. I just want to wish you good luck and lots of blessings. Please keep us posted. Rosa

Kim, Welcome and good luck with your surgery. I hope you will post often when you are home from the hospital to let us know how you are. I had no nausea after my surgery and I usually do. I told them before they put me to sleep and they put something in my IV that really helped. I had very little pain and getting up and walking helped very much. Do it even if you don't feel like it. Good Luck, Ellen

Welcome Kim! This board and the people on it are incredible!!! Truly you are right, it is a great place for information and suppor****ch out though, you might find you end up picking up some real honest to goodness friends along the way as well. Congratulations on your upcoming lap. Dr I is WONDERFUL!!! Truly I can not say enough good things about him. You are in good (read skilled here) hands!!! You ask what to expect the first couple of days ... While each of us are different, here is what I got. Keep in mind I had RNY-lap with a HUGE hernia repair at the same time. First and formost, I was thrilled after surgery. They had a hard time keeping me down. All I wanted to do was walk the halls. Yes, I did have nausua hit me suddenly after coming up to my room. Hubby called the nurse, and they gave me something immediately and that pretty much took care of it. And they continued to give me something via the IV during my stay and I really didn't have much trouble with it after that. One of my biggest complaints was my dry mouth. I forgot my chapstick and I was not allowed to drink anything because they were being cautious about a leak with me. I also had some discomfort around my drain site, the drain was on a nerve so my breathing treatments were uncomfortable. It was hard for me to take a deep breath to get that ball thing to the top. You say you are in resp. therapy??? It was "your" department I tried to hide out from during my stay. Man it hurt to breath deeply. I HATED seeing that guy come into my room. BUT I knew how very important it was to do ... soooooooooo One of my biggest after surgery whoas was ... while I did a lot of pre-surgery reseach and felt I was ready, when I hit home the reality hit me ... and it seemed to take me a little while to settle into a routine that worked for me. I was pretty surprise that only a couple of small sips filled me up as if I had eaten thanksgiving dinner. This concerned me on how I was going to stay hydrated .... who in the world was I going to fit in all those vitamins? What in the world is this foaming all about??? ETC. etc ... but just like everyone else, it all started falling into place. Never hesitate to ask ... likely someone will have an answer or can direct you to someone who may be able to help. BTW - We have several lap banders posting to the local board now so you will be able to get a lot of localized information from them, but if you ever need more imput, OH also has a forum dedicated to lap banders. Just a bit of FYI in the event you were unaware. Tammy

Kim, I didn't have lap band but would like to welcome you too our family on the board. Good luck and keep us posted. See you lighter. Joanne

Hi Kim!!! I had my lap band surgery at St. Francis on 9/30. I have nothing but rave reviews. They were fantastic. I definitely used the pain pump the 1st day of surgery. The pain pump became my friend. However, as with Sharon, I walked around the hospital every 1 1/2 hrs or so......my pole and I went on walks! LOL I was sore the first few days, but nothing out of the ordinary. I also made sure to go for short little walks in the neighborhood each day once I returned home. I did not experience nausea at any point. I was not hungry , but I definitely did not experience nausea. You will do well. I know you will. I am cheering for you!!