My Surgery
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My surgery experience is probably like most.  I found it very easy.  Pre-op testing took one day total. I was at an advantage because I live in the area and made them to fit my schedule.  They included a psychological evaluation and to my surprise I am actually sane.  Then I had the rest of the tests done at one time.  I had lab work done and an ekg first.  Then I went to have the upper GI done.  It was not bad at all.  The chalky stuff wasn't all that bad either.  I then was ready for my surgery.  The night before surgery I felt like it was going to be my last meal.  I went to the Outback and had a huge dinner.  This is not something I would recomend doing.  Then after midnight it was nothing by mouth.  No real big problem.  I went that morning, October 18, 2000,  I felt like I was waiting forever.  I was really anxious.  I had waited for 2 years to have this done and now it was going to be real soon.  The nurses came in and gave me pre-ops and gown and then they wheeled me down to the surgery room for more waiting.  They started my IV there and I talked with the bioenterics representative and Dr. Rumbart who were there for the FDA trial proctoring.  Both of them had the band in them and they exchanged showing me their scars.  They also told me how they had both lost close to one hundred pounds.  I knew everything was going to be ok.  I went into surgery and was moved onto the little bed I didn't think I would fit but I did.  The next thing I remember is the recovery room.  They were giving me morphine.  I told them to stop.  I was not hurting.  I just wanted to wake up.  I went to the room and slept intermitently.  At 9:30 pm Dr. Ponce called me to see if I was doing OK.  I said I was fine and he encouraged me to walk.  I walked around the hospital even outside.  I couldn't go back to sleep.  There was some discomfort in the port area but that was all.  I guess since I slept all day I couldn't sleep that night.  I went out and talked with the nurses and got my own ice and water.  The next morning I was ready to go home.  I put on my clothes and actually let the nurses take out my IV.  They asked me why I didn't just do it myself since I had done everything else myself and we all just laughed.  I went down to the ER where I worked and told them I would be out for 2 weeks.  I think they wondered why I would be out so long because I was getting around so well but I had some things I wanted to catch up with at home.  After one week I couldn't tell I have even had surgery.  It was the greatest thing. I would do it again in a heart beat.  It was the best recovery I have ever had.  Even sex was not a problem for me and my husband.  My husband was amazed at my recovery.  He was worried before hand but after surgery was over, he thought my decision was wonderful.
The lap band system I would love to explain but don't think I could do it justice.  I will leave that to the makers of the band.  The link is on my home page.  Make sure to check them out sometime.