Never had surgery before

[hopeful33]

I’m new to the forum, but I’ve posted a few questions before, and am very happy with the advice I’ve received.

So here’s the thing… I’ve got five days before my surgery date, and now I have all kinds of things running through my mind.

I’ve never had surgery or been completely under for anything throughout my life. I have no idea what my pain tolerance will be, or if I’ll be able to spring back the way that so many of you were able to do.

I don’t even know if there’s going to be a place for me to put my slip-on shoes and gas-x strips while I’m in surgery. I sleep on the right side of our bed so when my husband holds me I’m usually laying on my left; right where the port is supposed to go.

I’ve been reading over lots of testimonies in order to get a better idea of what to expect, but I’m still scared. I just keep forcing myself to look forward and remember that this is yet another temporary step towards progress.

That being said I could still use any advice or info. that you might have for preparation of surgery time, or the healing process after.

Thanks in advance,

Hopeful33

[NikifromSeattle]

Hi Hopeful33,

I too was scared to death of having surgery as I had only had a csection before, only an epidural. I am a nurse and I have see way too many things, so I was petrified. First off, the surgery center is so clean, cleaner than any hospital here in the states that I have seen. They all work so well together, they all have their specific tasks mastered and they gave me complete confidence in their abilities.

I was afraid of being intubated, they used a mask so it was no big deal at all. Just get yourself there, they will give you some anti-anxiety meds shortly before hand. Then when you go in for the procedure. It seemed like I had just laid down on the table and they asked me a question and before I could get the whole answer out I was definitely out.

Shortly after the surgery, they came and got me up to walk around. Then I got dressed, walked the halls a some more and felt great! (Walking the halls will get your lungs to open up and prevent pneumonia). They let me go back to the hotel that night and home the next morning! Yeah, I was a little sore but not really uncomfortable for a few days. Only issue for me was going from a laying down position to sitting up. But if you just roll on your side and use your arm to lift your upper body instead of your stomache muscles you will do just fine. The port site was more sensitive for a couple of weeks but now I don't even feel it, just one month out. I am still afraid to lift anything heavy so I haven't tried lifting my daughter, 65 pounds or ride my horses yet. But that will be really soon!

The following day I walked well over a mile or so shopping in San Diego.

I can't tell you that yours will go as smoothly but have confidence in them, you are in excellent hands!

[Babe]

hopeful, i completely relate to you. it'll be my first surgery too and i'm more nervous than i thought i would be...

we will get through this and probably end up laughing about how anxious we were beforehand

oh yeah, about the sleep thing - i asked something about stomach sleeping earlier - other bandsters recommended using extra pillows on the port side of our body when we sleep that way it will be well padded. it might be a smidge uncomfortable but it's better than risking port problems.

[girlie3rdwave]

Hello.

I was extremely anxious as well; but once you get there, meet the staff, and see the clinic, I think you will feel much more at ease. My best advice is to listen to your body, be your own advocate of what you need while you're there, and think positive.

I specifically was in quite a bit of pain the 24 hours following my surgery, so I just tried to walk the halls and keep my mind occupied on the bigger picture. I also had an extremely hard time sleeping- though I think a lot of that had to do with just being anxious. My best advice is to do whatever you need to do to to be comfortable (with the exception of eat, of course) and stay the course.

Wish you the best.

Jessica

[JennHB]

Lapband was my first surgery also. It really was a piece of cake and the only pain I was in was gas in my shoulder for a few weeks but my tummy felt good. Once you are there and meet a few of the other people having surgery that day in the lobby, you will be more at ease. I went last in our group (there were 8 of us) so for me it was good to see those who went early and already had the surgery walking around eating otter pops.

The scariest thing for me beforehand was being put to sleep, but when it happened I remember the nurse telling me to think of a sexy actor, I didn't even have time to think before I was out, and then i woke up in my room. I couldn't believe how quick it kicked in. It was great.

[CanadianBandster]

I also want to add - that the meds they give you before hand the anti-anxiety meds...well, I remember nothing lol...seriously I dont even remember going into the OR - nothing, zero nada- so I am happy with that!

Also - I am the same with how we sleep with our hubbys. Last week so about 6 weeks after surgery I can now lye on my left side. I feel completely normal now - I can do everything I could before now. Except this damn cold grrrr makes me tired. I had my first fill saturday.

Seriously - after the surgery you are going to wonder why you worried so much! I was the same way. I had six other surgeries and was still just as nervous as the first....but its a lot easier than you are probably working yourself up for!

[tootsie_lou]

Hey Hopeful!

I agree with other folks here that after its over you wonder what you were worried about. My daughter (13 at the time) and I were banded on the same day, she went first. When they gave her the little pill that helps you relax, she got so funny. She was giggling and telling Dr Ortiz that she loved him. (I have no idea if, and/or who I may have said I loved--no one reported that to me, and thankfully my kid was already sleeping it off -- haha). I do remember telling Dr Martinez and Dr Ortiz that one of my fears was that they would get their instruments in there and find something strange. Like one of those "Hey you guys look at this, and somebody get the camera!". If they did see anything out of the ordinary in there, I slept through it I guess. One thing about my kid going first, Dr Romero came in and assured me that all went well and that she came through like a champ. That was really cool.

Diana

[CanadianBandster]

Apparantely I was asking if I could take some of the drugs home they gave me cuz they were so good lol - very out of character for me...but hey if I dont remember a thing they were good

[Christy26]

It was my first surgery as well. I was told I could go to the hotel that night but I didnt want to, if you stay, they give you sleeping meds that keep you asleep all night and i wanted to make sure I slept, I am so glad I stayed!!!

i couldnt sleep or lay on my left side for 2-3 weeks without any pain. Now I can lay on my side or stomach without any issues.

I remember being wheeled into the OR, and actually getting up on the operating table myself ( i felt weird doing that lol) and then one of the Drs (I dont even remember which) asked me if I was going to do some shopping and I dont think I ever answered. The next thing I remember was the Dr saying my name asking me if I could get up and I just closed my eyes again because I was thinking "I am NOT getting up off this table myself) lol They picked me up and put me back in my bed and wheeled me back in my room. They kept bothering me to get up and walk and I wanted to sleeeeeep! that was the best sleep ever! lol

Being put to sleep was the scariest thing for me. It was no big deal after it happened though.

You will be fine!

~~ Christy

[ckiki]

This was my third surgery, and the easiest. I had a c-section and my tonsils out, and both of those were much harder then being banded. I don't really remember much about the procedure. However, once they gave me the relaxation pills for under my tongue, I was so disappointed, because when Dr. Ortiz came in to talk to me, all I could do was stare, smile and nod, and probably did some ridiculous giggle..lol. The procedure was really quick though, I only remember getting on this table, and having to keep scooting back because I am so tall, and then I don't even remember going to sleep, in fact, when it was done, I thought to myself, why are they waking me, I thought I hadn't even gone to sleep yet...lol.

The only worry I had was the antibiotics. I am allergic to penicillin and two other major ones, and so I kept telling all the doctors what I couldn't have. But they reassured me that they wouldn't give me anything I am allergic to.

[nursemom]

Let me just say, these folks have this surgery down PAT! I was very stressed and it goes like clockwork there. It is a very simple proceedure and I kept telling myself that they do THOUSANDS of these! Good Luck and don't stress - you will do great.

[determination]

You will be so amazed when this is over! Everything goes so smooth, just like everyone here has said. I am like the canadianbandster. I do not remember anything!!!!!Not even the otter pop. LOL And to put getting a fill to rest, so that you don't need to be nervous. I just had my first fill Feb. 11th and it was a breeze. I must have a high pain level because I did not feel anything. Good luck to you on your surgery. Anne