PUH-LEASE REPLY

Hey gang, my surgery's less than 36 hours away & I'd love some of your feelings, like: how'd you feel when you woke up?, Were you AWAKE when they put you on THE table? Do yo see all the "equipment"? Oh man, I'm getting really scared now..................I am a huge chicken, backed out of this in 1999, different surgeon. Almost got up from THE table before they knoced me out for G.bladder surgery.Thanks for all & my prayers are with everyone. Debbie PS: Also I do not have an angel.

Debbie, I am still pre-op so I can't help you there but have you tried posting on the main board? I think you will get a quicker response to your questions. I will volunteer to be your Angel. I'll send you an e-mail! Tonya

Debbie, I was very nervous too. Let me tell you...you will be more than pleased at how EASY this surgery is. I felt GREAT when I woke up. I couldn't feel any pain at all. I was shocked there was no pain. I was very groggy when they had me move to the table. I didn't see any equipment at all. I will tell you the first thing I heard when I woke, it was that the man who was to follow me that day had left the hospital. I think you have to make the decision before you get there. It is either right for you or it isn't. If you know now that it is right for you, then relax, put it in God's hands and enjoy the journey. I'm sure you'll do just great!!! Christie

Okay - I'm one week post-op today so I'll tell you my expirence. Before they actually took me to the Operating room I was fully awake and could see and hear everything that was going on. I had no problems with that. The staff at the Hospital I went to (Atlanta Medical Center) was very friendly and supportive. They wheeled me into the OR and asked me to get on the table. The head nurse asked me to open my mouth as wide as possible...I did....then the next thing she said was "I'm going to give you some of the "I Don't Care" drug in your IV. I don't remember anything past that. I was told I did wake up in recovery....but was very sleepy from the anesteshia (SP?) I didn't really wake up until I was in my room. The only real "pain" I had was the last day I had really bad Gas.....(constipation).... but once that was relived all has been great (Crossing fingers) so far!!! If this is what you TRULY want to do - then go for it! I'd do it all again in a heart beat! (And I'm only a week out - with the operation being Open RNY) Good luck....and trust me....there are LOTS of angels on this board!!!!! Diana (Aka Dee Dee)

Hi Debbie, I was awake when they moved me to the table and I was thinking...wow, bright lights! The next thing I remember was saying 'I can't breathe' and someone putting oxygen on me. I felt groggy and then realized it was over! My pain was only soreness and nothing major throughout my recovery. It was 5 weeks ago and to be honest, I'd do it again. I had family all around me and I was not scared (maybe nervous) but never terrified at all. I had confidence in my surgeon and God and family. It was the single most greatest experience in my life. May sound weird but I enjoyed the attention! James

Hi Debbie: My name is Pam, and I had a Lap RNY on 3/29/04. I have had a knee surgery, and a foot surgery. This was easier than either one. I was fully awake when they wheeled me down to the OR waiting area and into the OR. I looked around the operating room and was impressed with all the high tech equipment. My OR nurse was wonderful and I went to sleep knowing I was in good hands. I think of March 29 as my new birthday. I placed myself in God's hands and knew that he would see me through and he did! I wish you all the best and will be thinking and praying for you tomorrow. Pam

Hi I was fully awake when they willed me in to the or. I was scard, i told the Dr.'s make sure I wake up. Before they willed me in the or they gave i dont care medicaine. When I was in the or the anthesologist told me to take deep breaths to put good oxygen in my system , and that's all I remember until I got into my room. I had gas pain, that was all I had pain wise. Eveyone is nervous your not the only one...

Debbie, I have not had the surgery yet as I am still in the process however, I will be praying for you. Just hang on to your faith and everything will be okay. I have been researching this for over a year and have not talked with anyone who would not do it all over again if they had too. Theresa

Debbie I had my surgery on 5/24 and I was awake in the pre-op room, but once they give you the knock out meds via intravenous you will be out until it's all over. They do the catheter and breathing tube while you're out, so you don't even know it. I used a meditational CD during surgery and then had them switch to a post-op CD and that was my first memory coming out of it in recovery. Then, they wheeled me into my room and I saw glimpses of my daughter's and husband's faces and I was sooooooo happy! I had practically NO PAIN and have been able to tolerate every thing I've been allowed to put in my pouch, whi*****ludes SF popsicles, yogurt, soy milk (real milk gives me too much gas), watery cream of wheat, applesauce, jello and decaf coffee. The gas pains after the surgery (are you having lap?) can be worked out if you walk and I can't stress how much better walking makes you feel - even a little bit of it. The nurses kept me on a 3-4 hour regimen of pain meds until the third day when I was being released, and I only took them once after I got home. Don't fret. Where are you having your surgery?