Lapband surgery at Roger Williams

I am scheduled to have LapBand surgery at Roger Williams. I was wondering if someone who had that surgery there could answer some questions for me.

1. When you get there for surgery, when they put the IV in, do they give you anything before the anesthetic to relax you?
2. When you come out of surgery in the recovery room, do they give you pain meds? Do they do this orally or through your IV? What kind of pain meds do you get?
3. What else do you do in the recovery room (other than recover, obviously)?
4. When you get on the floor, do they switch you over to oral pain meds? What kind?
5. I know you have to get up and walk a lot, but can you sleep through the night (I know they bother you every so often for meds and things), but can you get a little sleep?

Thanks. I know I'm kind of hung up on the drugs, but I'm afraid of being in pain.

Hi there!

#1  yes they do!
# 2 you probably won't need pain meds but if you do, they can give you meds either thru the IV or you can swallow them.  (I had RNY and I could swallow pills and you'll be less restricted than me, I believe!)
#3 They are usually getting your room ready while you're in recovery.  They will let you sleep mostly.
#4 same answer as #2
#5 Yes you can sleep. They do bother you for a blood pressure/o2 check and ask you if youre ok...
You won't be in pain!  if you are just say so and your nurse will give you something.  you can always discuss what you want/get with her!  No worries!!

Cathy

Thank you so much!

Hi Fern,
I had my lap band done by Dr. Pohl on May 12th at RW.  Although the previous post is correct info, I wanted to let you know from the "band" perspective what to expect. 

I did not have anything to relax me prior to surgery but I think they probably would have if I needed it.  (I had an abdominal hysterectomy last year so this was nothing for me!).  When they wheel you to the OR, it is kind of interesting how they transfer you to the operating table.  The gurney has an air mattress on it which they inflate and lift the whole thing with you on it to the table. Then they deflate it and get you in position.  Before you know it, they give you the meds and you wake up in the recovery room.  I think I was there for about an hour but drifted in and out and don't remember much.

Once up to the room, they continued to give IV pain meds.  Although I was not in pain, they said they give it so that you don't GET any pain.  You will be able to get up and go to the bathroom, just unplug the IV from the wall and take the whole machine with you....that surprised me!  

When I returned home the following day, I felt great! I may have overdone it though and didn't rest enough and by the third day I was very sore.  I took some pain meds and slept.  Problem is, when you are sleeping, you aren't drinking!  My advice to you is to DRINK!  I ended up back in ER dehydrated and had to stay for 6 hours and get IV fluids.  
 
If you have any further questions, feel free to PM me.  Good luck to you, you will be just fine!!!

I had my lap band surgery on 4/29/09.  The whole procedure took maybe an 1 1/2 hours.  When in recovery, I had to wait for my room for 4 hours.  I was really annoyed by that.  They had to move in the out-patient recovery and I was able to sit in the recliner chair.  I was more comfortable there while I had to wait.  I received my pain meds in the IV if needed for pain.  I felt great and was able to walk the hallway that same night.  Sleeping was a challenge because they do come in alot to check your vitals and to ask if you're in pain.  My advise to you is DRINK YOUR WATER.  I got severely dehydrated 2 weeks after the surgery and had to be put back in the hospital for 3 days to rehydrate me with fluids.  Good luck and welcome to the LOSER BENCH.