Hi Rhonda,
Good news! Surgery October 15 wow, it is getting close. Yes, my surgery happened about the same as yours. Once I got insurance approval :faint:(end of January 2007 and that is another story) I was scheduled for surgery the middle of March. Called the next day and they had a cancellation in two weeks so I was off and running on that liquid diet:phanvan. I can't tell you how "empty" I felt when I looked in my lunch bag and all that was there were 4 cans of Adtkins shakes. I really needed to chew something after about a week and knowing some got to eat a low cal/fat dinner I ate a few veggies a couple of times in the evening. It was harder at first but got easier after a few days and then of course the prep for surgery and the excitement about that started to kick in and I almost didn't notice I was only consuming shakes.
My surgery and recovery was a little different than most. My friend Siena (we met on this site and you can read our posts, you should contact her if you haven't) was in and out and home and back at work in record time. I really don't even remember the surgery. I was to report to the hospital at 7:30 AM, checked in, they took me to a room where I changed my clothes, got on a bed, the nurse put in the IV needle and the compression socks. After that I had a visit from the anesthesiologist. I had a good talk with him because I had had a colonoscopy where I had woken up during the procedure and I didn't want to wake up during this one! I also told him that I wasn't quite under when they came at me with a horse needle during a lumpectomy I had a few years back.He was great, assured me the anesthesia for this procedure was different and would take good care of me and he did he. The last I remember before waking up in my room was watching TV. I think they put something in my IV and I was out. I have read where some people will get wheeled into the OR and will get off the bed and get on to the operating table. Didn't happen for me, I can't even imagine how they got me on the table
or into my bed in my room. One thing I would say is that nobody came in to tell me I should get up and walk so after a long while I decided I should be doing that. If you feel like walking then you shouldn't wait for someone to come in and get you started, let them know so you can get up and go. When I first drank water and broth it felt a little weird because I gurgled a little and it seemed like it was going around and around like the water in the bathtub before it goes down the drain:). I decided to spend the night in the hospital because I knew I wouldn't probably be able to sleep the whole night and I didn't want to bother my husband with getting up and turning on a light or whatever. I had my barium swallow test the next morning and that is where my experience deviates from most. I had swelled so much I was plugged up tight and couldn't take anything. I stayed in the hospital for the next four days on an IV. Dr. R offered to replace the band with a bigger one but I was over surgery and decided to wait it out. He had told me it would take two weeks for the swelling to completely subside and he was correct. It was a week after surgery before I was able to get any liquids down. I think the reason for the swelling was a hernia repair, that coupled with the band apparently was my nemesis. I recovered just fine and would do it again in a heart beat but it was a little stressful at the time none the less.
As far as the hospital and my care, I had great people to help me, most of them were terrific. I was not happy with the "gown" situation. They issued me a gown that was very large and that wasn't a big irritation, just a little one. The biggest irritation was the robe. It just barely fit and in order to walk around I had to put it over my shoulders and try and tie it on hoping I wan't mooning anyone. Because I spent over 4 days in the hospital with walking my only diversion (sleeping wasn't very comfortable either) I wasn't happy about the situation. I would suggest bringing your own robe remembering that you can't put it over the arm that has the IV in it so it should be cape - like so you can wear it over your shoulders. The other irritation was the most uncomfortable chairs. Again, in the hospital for four days I had ample time to check out the chairs and the only comfortable one was a "loveseat" directly across from the elevators. The one in my room was a hard molded plastic and had arm rests, my butt just barely fit :faint: however my arms were very uncomfortable, falling asleep after a bit. I don't really want to end on sour note so you should keep in mind that I had much more time than most to become irritated with my robe and my chair. And, I will say again, I would do it again in a heart beat even with the added complications.
I don't know if this helps but that is my story, mostly. I am glad I went to GF and Dr. R rather than out of state and I have been happy with my fills too. Good luck with your surgery and let me know how you are doing.
Good Journey,
Terri
PS For all of us to get together, we need to know what a good time for every one is. Would it have to be afterwork, lunch hour or a weekend? I will say for me, at least right now I am fairly flexible (Tues. night is out).
I haven't decided if I should have the band done out of state of if there is anyone here who can perform this procedure in state.
from Bozeman
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