I was banded yesterday, July 28th. I am surprised at what a good experience it's been! I was banded at St. E in N. Ky, by Dr. Smith.
I arrived at the hopital at 6am, was supposed to be operated on at 8AM, but was told my Dr. had an emergency surgery that morning, so I would be delayed. I didn't get taken back until around 11AM, so about 3 hrs late. But my husband and best friend got to sit back in the prep area with me, so that was nice.
The nurse had a hard time getting the IV in me. The first one left a huge bruise on my left inner forearm. The second one got a good stick in my hand, thank goodness and it lasted the whole time I was there. It was a big relief because the last time I had surgery, they put it at my elbow and it was miserable! I had to get up to use the restroom twice during the 3 hrs. They gave me the versed (good stuff!) and 2 bags of antibiotics (not exactly sure what kind) before I went in the OR. The nurses, anesthesiologist, and the OR nurses who came to get me where all VERY nice.
The trip to the OR was quick, and the hallway to the OR and the OR were all FREEZING cold. When they wheeled me into the OR, I saw my Dr. and he shook my hand. They made me move to the operating table, put the mask on me. They asked me to count down from 100, but all I remember saying was "OK"!!
I woke up in recovery, and didn't vomit, thank goodness! The last time I had anesthesia, I got sick the second I woke up. But this time they gave me Reglin in my IV beforehand for nausea. I was pretty woozy and confused at first, because I didn't have my glasses. But after I got good and awoken, they moved me to my room. That was about 3 hrs after I went into the OR. I have no idea how I got from the operating table to the gurney, but the gurney hurt my back so bad that I couldn't wait to get in my bed again. I think my back hurt more than my belly at that point, unbelievable!
I was given excellent care during my stay. I got a private room, and was waited on by excellent nurses. I was given plenty of morphine by IV, and it was great. They kept giving me Reglin, and gave me some sort of shot in my belly to prevent clotting. That one didn't hurt at all. I was feeling so well that I didn't really sleep that much. I got up to use the bathroom a couple of times. I was given ice chips and a popsicle, then watered down apple juice. My best friend left around 4:30, and a friend whose dad had the same surgery (same day, same dr) came down to say hi. My husband stayed until 9pm, and BFF came back to keep me company until midnight since I was up and wanting to talk. They gave me more morphine at midnight, and I slept till 5am. Then I used the bathroom, had more morphine and slept until 8:30 AM. My only trouble sleeping was the boots, and I got over that pretty quickly.
At 8:30, they sat me over in the chair and that they would give me more pain meds and breakfast of just broth soon. It was 10:00 before I got either, the only negative part of my stay. I ate the broth, drank more diluted apple juice, and a popsicle. I am just so relieved to not be hungry!
One of the doctors from the practice came by to check my bandages and everything. He gave me an all clear. I feel great, by the way, just sore when I stand up and sit down. I took the walk around the hospital floor, as required before leaving. My family came back and brought me a few things. I ate more broth and juice, and then check out of the hospital.
The rest of the day has been good. We filled my prescriptions and came home. I've been eating clear liquids all day a feel good. I have liquid Lortab to take and have been taking it regularly, and I have a prescription of Phenergan that I am using for sleep and to avoid any nausea just in case. I think I might have overdone it with even just the liquids, because I feel very full right now, and kind of like I need to burp. I can't figure out yet how burping is going to work. I just learned to burp about 2 hrs ago even with my normal tummy! I couldn't do it when I was little. I guess I will have to learn all over again!
So far, very good experience, and I have not been at all hungry since the surgery. I go back to the Dr. in a week and they will schedule my first fill for 5-6 weeks. They did not do an xray of me to check the band placement, so I'm curious to ask the Dr. how they know it's OK. Also, I can't figure out where my port is! Is it one of the 5 incisions? My right side hurts worse because they said the Dr. operates from that side, so I'm guessing the port is over there too. I just don't know!
Wishing everyone else luck as well! I should mention that I had a breast reduction, and told my BFF that this was "a walk in the park" compared to that! I was drugged at the time, but it's true, this one is a lot less painful than that.
So...surgery day arrives (July 14th) and my hubby and I arrive early around 10 am. I was quickly ushered back to a room. I was thinking, WOW how very efficient they are here. 
Did I mention that morphine is an excellent thing?!
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