Scheduling my Lap Band Surgery and Anxious
I have all my testing done, and next week is appointment with doctor to schedule the surgery. I was told today, either 7/14 or 8/1. Okay, now I'm nervous and very anxious. Can someone tell me what to expect? I've been thinking about doing this for years, but I always back out!!! I'm taking off one month from work just to adjust...I'm usually very tough, but I must admit I am scared!
Lyonelslady
To be honest I wasn't scared of the surgery at all it was that dang IV they put in me that bothered me the most lmao.
I had a very bad experience with IV's when I had my son and let me tell you I'm the biggest baby when it comes to that now . I told that nurse you get one chance to stick me if you screw it up then Im outtta of here lol. I thought I broke my hubby's hand when she was getting ready to stick me
I had it pretty easy after surgery . I had no gas pains, really no port pain or anything. If it hadn't been for my incisions I would have never known I had surgery to be honest. Now this is just me yours could be something totally different.
I was back to sleeping on my tummy about 7 days out and only took pain meds one day and that was only cause of my hubby he was more nervous then me lol.
The only thing I could feel and it wasn't painful just a tab bit uncomfortable once in awhile your upper stomach will feel like you have done a million and one sit ups . That was probably the most pain I had and I wouldn't even call it pain just a sit up feeling from working your abs to much .
Walk as much as you can when you get tired of walking walk some more. I think that is what helped me the most. Walking gets the gas out and it really helps to you heal you faster. I walked the mall, I walked around the block , our track everything for the first two weeks .
Follow your post op diet to a T dont think its safe to eat something because its not. If I started to get hungry after my two weeks of liquids I would call to see if it was safe for me to move on to the next stage. We can offer you advice here but dont do anything unless you talk to your doctor. What might work for me wont work for you :o)
The most important thing always always remember the band is a tool only , that is it nothing more and nothing less. The band dont stop you from eating junk food, the band dont make you get up and exercise, the band dont stop you from eating to many snacks. That all has to come from you .
Drink lots of water, exercise at least 30 min a day , and eat healthy . I eat healthy about 80% of the time .
You will be just fine, dont worry and dont stress. Before you know it you will be waking up with your new friend in you. Probably the night before you will get very nervous and jittery. I wanted to call the whole thing off 24 hrs before my surgery . It wasnt becasue I knew I couldnt do it , I knew I could to do it, I just got scared its a big lifestyle change for me and for my family.
As soon as I woke up I asked hubby if I was skinny lmao . Damn to bad that dream didn't come true right then and there lol.
I had a very bad experience with IV's when I had my son and let me tell you I'm the biggest baby when it comes to that now . I told that nurse you get one chance to stick me if you screw it up then Im outtta of here lol. I thought I broke my hubby's hand when she was getting ready to stick me
I had it pretty easy after surgery . I had no gas pains, really no port pain or anything. If it hadn't been for my incisions I would have never known I had surgery to be honest. Now this is just me yours could be something totally different.
I was back to sleeping on my tummy about 7 days out and only took pain meds one day and that was only cause of my hubby he was more nervous then me lol.
The only thing I could feel and it wasn't painful just a tab bit uncomfortable once in awhile your upper stomach will feel like you have done a million and one sit ups . That was probably the most pain I had and I wouldn't even call it pain just a sit up feeling from working your abs to much .
Walk as much as you can when you get tired of walking walk some more. I think that is what helped me the most. Walking gets the gas out and it really helps to you heal you faster. I walked the mall, I walked around the block , our track everything for the first two weeks .
Follow your post op diet to a T dont think its safe to eat something because its not. If I started to get hungry after my two weeks of liquids I would call to see if it was safe for me to move on to the next stage. We can offer you advice here but dont do anything unless you talk to your doctor. What might work for me wont work for you :o)
The most important thing always always remember the band is a tool only , that is it nothing more and nothing less. The band dont stop you from eating junk food, the band dont make you get up and exercise, the band dont stop you from eating to many snacks. That all has to come from you .
Drink lots of water, exercise at least 30 min a day , and eat healthy . I eat healthy about 80% of the time .
You will be just fine, dont worry and dont stress. Before you know it you will be waking up with your new friend in you. Probably the night before you will get very nervous and jittery. I wanted to call the whole thing off 24 hrs before my surgery . It wasnt becasue I knew I couldnt do it , I knew I could to do it, I just got scared its a big lifestyle change for me and for my family.
As soon as I woke up I asked hubby if I was skinny lmao . Damn to bad that dream didn't come true right then and there lol.
Quit Smoking 10/8/10
Starting BMI 52.9 BMI now 44.4 updated 6/6/11
Now I dont know how much of this is true or not but the doc and the NUT told me if you was pear shape its a easier surgery on the person instead of a apple shape .
Apple shape you carry more of the weight in your tummy area and pear shape its more in your hips and thighs. Im a pear shape.
When I first saw my doc he said good you are a pear lmao. I thought what the hell why did he call me a pear lol
Apple shape you carry more of the weight in your tummy area and pear shape its more in your hips and thighs. Im a pear shape.
When I first saw my doc he said good you are a pear lmao. I thought what the hell why did he call me a pear lol
Quit Smoking 10/8/10
Starting BMI 52.9 BMI now 44.4 updated 6/6/11
You made me flash back to when I was seeing a new oncologist for evaluation. At first she visited with me in her office and then we went to the exam room. When she had me up on the table, she commented, "oh good, most of your weight is in your hips" and then turned red and apologized. I just laughed.
Less abdominal fat makes it easier on the patient and the surgeon for abdominal surgery. It's also less stress on the heart to be hippy versus having a large tummy.
Less abdominal fat makes it easier on the patient and the surgeon for abdominal surgery. It's also less stress on the heart to be hippy versus having a large tummy.
Lisa
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Reinhold Niebuhr
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Reinhold Niebuhr
lol well gosh at least I wasnt the only one called a pear . I didnt know if he was being serious about that or not or he was trying to break the ice with me since I was so nervous.
Guess I know now he was telling the truth. Mabye that is why I didnt have much pain from the surgery then because of my shape ?
Guess I know now he was telling the truth. Mabye that is why I didnt have much pain from the surgery then because of my shape ?
Quit Smoking 10/8/10
Starting BMI 52.9 BMI now 44.4 updated 6/6/11
It's very normal to be anxious and worried before surgery.
If you find the anxiety to be overwhelming, talk to your surgeon or PCP, they may be willing to give you medication to help (but be careful not to overuse it if they do.. these meds can be quite addicting).
Band surgery did not stress me much at all, but that's because I had had surgery for cancer about 16 months earlier and had spent all my energies fretting over it. When you spend 3 months crying every day, once it's over, you are cried out.
While waiting for my cancer surgery, I found a book called "Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster" by Peggy Huddleston. It's very helpful. http://www.healfaster.com/
I also told the anesthesiologist at my banding about how I didn't get enough pre-op meds for my earlier surgery and how I cried all the way into the surgery suite. I told him I didn't want to go through that again. He assured me that it wouldn't happen and it didn't. I remember nothing from the time they gave me the preops until I got into recovery.
When I was awake enough to leave recovery, they took me to Radiology and they did a very very quick UGI study to make sure the band was in good position. I had to take about 3 swallows of barium. They wanted me to stay standing up, but I was too weak, I had to sit down in between xrays.
Then it was back to recovery and sipping water and taking meds and getting up to the bathroom and walking the unit. When I was able to function fairly well, they sent me home. Surgery was at about Noonish, I was home by 8pm. I think I wore a very loose empire waist dress home. And panties that hit below the waist (to avoid the incisional areas).
My NP didn't believe in good pain medication so I had a rough time at home. I had questioned her about this preop, but she assured me that what she prescribed would be enough. It wasn't. I got mad and didn't call the office to complain.. I should have.. maybe something stronger would've been given. But after two weeks I was almost back to normal.
Not everyone has the hard time I did, so don't let that frighten you. I'm only mentioning that so that others will not "lie down and roll over" like I did.
Once I was past the immediate post-op and pain was controllable with tylenol, I started walking for exercise. I haven't looked back since.
Hang in there.. you'll make it to the other side and when you start seeing the pounds come off you'll be so glad you did this.
If you find the anxiety to be overwhelming, talk to your surgeon or PCP, they may be willing to give you medication to help (but be careful not to overuse it if they do.. these meds can be quite addicting).
Band surgery did not stress me much at all, but that's because I had had surgery for cancer about 16 months earlier and had spent all my energies fretting over it. When you spend 3 months crying every day, once it's over, you are cried out.
While waiting for my cancer surgery, I found a book called "Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster" by Peggy Huddleston. It's very helpful. http://www.healfaster.com/
I also told the anesthesiologist at my banding about how I didn't get enough pre-op meds for my earlier surgery and how I cried all the way into the surgery suite. I told him I didn't want to go through that again. He assured me that it wouldn't happen and it didn't. I remember nothing from the time they gave me the preops until I got into recovery.
When I was awake enough to leave recovery, they took me to Radiology and they did a very very quick UGI study to make sure the band was in good position. I had to take about 3 swallows of barium. They wanted me to stay standing up, but I was too weak, I had to sit down in between xrays.
Then it was back to recovery and sipping water and taking meds and getting up to the bathroom and walking the unit. When I was able to function fairly well, they sent me home. Surgery was at about Noonish, I was home by 8pm. I think I wore a very loose empire waist dress home. And panties that hit below the waist (to avoid the incisional areas).
My NP didn't believe in good pain medication so I had a rough time at home. I had questioned her about this preop, but she assured me that what she prescribed would be enough. It wasn't. I got mad and didn't call the office to complain.. I should have.. maybe something stronger would've been given. But after two weeks I was almost back to normal.
Not everyone has the hard time I did, so don't let that frighten you. I'm only mentioning that so that others will not "lie down and roll over" like I did.
Once I was past the immediate post-op and pain was controllable with tylenol, I started walking for exercise. I haven't looked back since.
Hang in there.. you'll make it to the other side and when you start seeing the pounds come off you'll be so glad you did this.
Lisa
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Reinhold Niebuhr
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Reinhold Niebuhr
THANK YOU ALL!! I guess it really isnt fear of the actual surgery as much as it is about the lifestyle change It seems pretty daunting and I hope I can follow through. I'm also anxious because I will not have my family with me when I get the surgery. I've been divorced for about 2 years and my children are grown and not in the area. My oldest will come when I have the surgery but I'm going to go thru this alone after he leaves. I know that I'll be fine, and I am going to work hard to make it successful! I'm looking forward to not having to shop in plus size section of Macy's soon.
The other question I have is about access skin. Both of you have lost a good deal of weight. I recently read an article about a young woman who lost a lot of weight and how unhappy she was now that she lost the weight the excess skin was hard to deal with. Any thoughts on that???
This forum is a wealth of information...thanks again! I'll be coming back every day!!!
The other question I have is about access skin. Both of you have lost a good deal of weight. I recently read an article about a young woman who lost a lot of weight and how unhappy she was now that she lost the weight the excess skin was hard to deal with. Any thoughts on that???
This forum is a wealth of information...thanks again! I'll be coming back every day!!!
I'm at the point where I'm beginning to consider plastic surgery. Not so much for the cosmetics (appearance), but to relieve some discomfort. I exercise quite a bit and the loose skin on my upper arms is uncomfortable at times when it moves. I compare it to exercising w/o a sports bra.
There is compression wear designed for exercising and I have a shirt or two like that, but who wants to wear long sleeved shirts in the summer, even if they are designed for summerwear ? And the 3/4 length sleeves roll up.
If you will exercise, do something that will help you tone and build muscle, while you will always have some excess skin, it can be not too bad. Water aerobics or Aqua Zumba or really any kind of water exercise I hear is excellent.
I figure anyone who is priviledged enough to see me without clothes, better love me enough to get past the extra skin. Steeler is right.. battle scars. Did you know that there are tribes that consider scars on the front of the body to be a huge sign of courage? When you look at your rapidly fading banding scars, see them as signs of your courage to face your problem head on and do something about it.
Another thing you will want to consider, as we lose weight, we don't put as much stress on our bones and we are very prone to loosing bone density. I've gone from 115% bone density in my hips in fall of 09 to 95% density in the Spring of '11. My doctors (radiologist and pcp) say that if I had not been doing weight lifting, I'd be in much worse shape. So find a class, or hire a trainer for a bit, or rent/buy some DVD's... and learn proper weight lifting techniques. Women very rarely have enough testosterone to bulk up. We have 4 body pump instructors at our gym, all female and NONE of them look like Arnold. :) And one of them squats with 70 lbs of weights on a bar!! She's one of the cutest there. I'm doing well to get 40lbs on my shoulders and I've been lifting a year. Loose skin looks a whole lot better over muscle.
There is compression wear designed for exercising and I have a shirt or two like that, but who wants to wear long sleeved shirts in the summer, even if they are designed for summerwear ? And the 3/4 length sleeves roll up.
If you will exercise, do something that will help you tone and build muscle, while you will always have some excess skin, it can be not too bad. Water aerobics or Aqua Zumba or really any kind of water exercise I hear is excellent.
I figure anyone who is priviledged enough to see me without clothes, better love me enough to get past the extra skin. Steeler is right.. battle scars. Did you know that there are tribes that consider scars on the front of the body to be a huge sign of courage? When you look at your rapidly fading banding scars, see them as signs of your courage to face your problem head on and do something about it.
Another thing you will want to consider, as we lose weight, we don't put as much stress on our bones and we are very prone to loosing bone density. I've gone from 115% bone density in my hips in fall of 09 to 95% density in the Spring of '11. My doctors (radiologist and pcp) say that if I had not been doing weight lifting, I'd be in much worse shape. So find a class, or hire a trainer for a bit, or rent/buy some DVD's... and learn proper weight lifting techniques. Women very rarely have enough testosterone to bulk up. We have 4 body pump instructors at our gym, all female and NONE of them look like Arnold. :) And one of them squats with 70 lbs of weights on a bar!! She's one of the cutest there. I'm doing well to get 40lbs on my shoulders and I've been lifting a year. Loose skin looks a whole lot better over muscle.
Lisa
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Reinhold Niebuhr
"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Reinhold Niebuhr
Hi
I am one week post op and I can totally relate to your fears. I remember going through all the processes and never thinking twice about it. Then I booked my surgery and picked my band and started freaking out that I might not pick the right band, etc. As they rolled me into the operating room I thought to myself...I guess it is too late to turn back now:-) Whenever you have surgery there is going to be fear. Whether it be necessary or elective. I have to say that when I woke up and the next 2 days I just kept thinking that I can't believe I really did it. I have thought about the band for years and after meeting someone who did it and was very successful..I then pursued it as a Challenge.
I am already feeling hunger pains a week out. The good thing is mentally I am in a great place. I know I need to take in more fluid and then my hunger goes away and it really does. I am choosing water or crystal light or SF pudding instead of what I would have chosen prior to this life altering decision.
This is a great site to talk to people and hear the positives and negatives. I did a lot of research and the band was the best fit for me as I am a big eater when it comes to quantity. I am extremely disciplined when I want to be and then I hit a rough spot and eat. Now I have added a tool that will make it so if I try and do that I will become physically sick. I am not a fan of throwing up or I probably would have tried Bulimia as a diet since I tried everything else. As a sales rep on the road I was not willing to take the risks of RNY Bypass since bathrooms can be few and far between for me during the work day(dumping syndrome)
I would love to share more with you buit I am going back to work tomorrow. I only took one week. Which even though I don't feel like I will be able to carry much weight around and I am not on the road I am bored. I found since I can't drink alcohol or over eat I get kind of antsy. I have done alot of cleaning this week and walking around gathering signatures on a petition just to keep my mind focused.
Keep in touch as I love hearing from people and their successes.
Cindy
I am one week post op and I can totally relate to your fears. I remember going through all the processes and never thinking twice about it. Then I booked my surgery and picked my band and started freaking out that I might not pick the right band, etc. As they rolled me into the operating room I thought to myself...I guess it is too late to turn back now:-) Whenever you have surgery there is going to be fear. Whether it be necessary or elective. I have to say that when I woke up and the next 2 days I just kept thinking that I can't believe I really did it. I have thought about the band for years and after meeting someone who did it and was very successful..I then pursued it as a Challenge.
I am already feeling hunger pains a week out. The good thing is mentally I am in a great place. I know I need to take in more fluid and then my hunger goes away and it really does. I am choosing water or crystal light or SF pudding instead of what I would have chosen prior to this life altering decision.
This is a great site to talk to people and hear the positives and negatives. I did a lot of research and the band was the best fit for me as I am a big eater when it comes to quantity. I am extremely disciplined when I want to be and then I hit a rough spot and eat. Now I have added a tool that will make it so if I try and do that I will become physically sick. I am not a fan of throwing up or I probably would have tried Bulimia as a diet since I tried everything else. As a sales rep on the road I was not willing to take the risks of RNY Bypass since bathrooms can be few and far between for me during the work day(dumping syndrome)
I would love to share more with you buit I am going back to work tomorrow. I only took one week. Which even though I don't feel like I will be able to carry much weight around and I am not on the road I am bored. I found since I can't drink alcohol or over eat I get kind of antsy. I have done alot of cleaning this week and walking around gathering signatures on a petition just to keep my mind focused.
Keep in touch as I love hearing from people and their successes.
Cindy
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