Meghan G.
The surgery
Feb 22, 2007
Ok. So I guess it's been awhile since I posted and need an update since a few things have changed...
I had my surgery on 2-13-07. Everything went well. I was very nervous and I think actually Scared for the first time about this, the morning of my surgery. I felt kind of alone, even though my mom, dad and boyfriend, Jake were with me. It seemed like such a big decision. Had I jumped into this? Was I going to be able to make it work? Did I want to be a person that was so big, so out of control, that I needed weight loss surgery? Did I want to change my life? COULD I change my life?
I didn't talk much that morning. My parents and Jake chatted away about the other people they had seen in the waiting room and the wild little kids at 7:00am, but I just sat there. I couldn't release my anxiety. That is, until they gave me "the cocktail". After that I was ready to go. I kissed them all goodbye, told them I loved them and chatted with the anesthesiologist on the way to the OR. The last thing I remember as they put the oxygen mask on me was me saying over and over "Take care of me".
Afterwards, I was brought to the recovery room where a very nice nurse stayed with me and gave me lovely doses of fentanyl and dilaudid for pain which I rated at a 7. We chatted and she would bump my meds. I asked for my glasses almost right away. The aide went to get them from my mom and I told her to them all that I was "fine".
Next, I was moved up to my room. I was awake for the rest of the day. Everyone kept telling me to go ahead and sleep but I honestly wasn't that tired. So we chatted and then they went to lunch and I watched tv. They came back and we sat around. They left later in the afternoon and dropped Jake off back at his house. He hadn't gotten much sleep the night before.
My parents came back in the evening for a few hours and left just a couple of friends of ours came in. I visited with them for awhile and they headed out. A member of the surgical team came in and said I could go home if I wanted to. I opted to stay as I was a little uncomfortable going home so soon and I didn't think I was up for the 45 minute drive home that night. I was feeling pretty good. I was off the IV morphine by the evening and on to roxicet. I got up and walked 2-3 times. Not too far and certainly not fast but I was up.
Jake came back around 9:30 with a potted pink gerber daisy. It was very sweet. We sat just the two of us, talking. It was the best part of my day in the hospital. He held my hand as I tried not to doze off. He knew I was getting tired so we said goodbye and he left for the night.
The next day I was discharged, got home without a problem and did a lot of sleeping for the next day or two.
I had my surgery on 2-13-07. Everything went well. I was very nervous and I think actually Scared for the first time about this, the morning of my surgery. I felt kind of alone, even though my mom, dad and boyfriend, Jake were with me. It seemed like such a big decision. Had I jumped into this? Was I going to be able to make it work? Did I want to be a person that was so big, so out of control, that I needed weight loss surgery? Did I want to change my life? COULD I change my life?
I didn't talk much that morning. My parents and Jake chatted away about the other people they had seen in the waiting room and the wild little kids at 7:00am, but I just sat there. I couldn't release my anxiety. That is, until they gave me "the cocktail". After that I was ready to go. I kissed them all goodbye, told them I loved them and chatted with the anesthesiologist on the way to the OR. The last thing I remember as they put the oxygen mask on me was me saying over and over "Take care of me".
Afterwards, I was brought to the recovery room where a very nice nurse stayed with me and gave me lovely doses of fentanyl and dilaudid for pain which I rated at a 7. We chatted and she would bump my meds. I asked for my glasses almost right away. The aide went to get them from my mom and I told her to them all that I was "fine".
Next, I was moved up to my room. I was awake for the rest of the day. Everyone kept telling me to go ahead and sleep but I honestly wasn't that tired. So we chatted and then they went to lunch and I watched tv. They came back and we sat around. They left later in the afternoon and dropped Jake off back at his house. He hadn't gotten much sleep the night before.
My parents came back in the evening for a few hours and left just a couple of friends of ours came in. I visited with them for awhile and they headed out. A member of the surgical team came in and said I could go home if I wanted to. I opted to stay as I was a little uncomfortable going home so soon and I didn't think I was up for the 45 minute drive home that night. I was feeling pretty good. I was off the IV morphine by the evening and on to roxicet. I got up and walked 2-3 times. Not too far and certainly not fast but I was up.
Jake came back around 9:30 with a potted pink gerber daisy. It was very sweet. We sat just the two of us, talking. It was the best part of my day in the hospital. He held my hand as I tried not to doze off. He knew I was getting tired so we said goodbye and he left for the night.
The next day I was discharged, got home without a problem and did a lot of sleeping for the next day or two.
Approved!
Jan 04, 2007
I got "The Letter" today saying that I have been approved for the lap band. How easy was that?? I am so happy that it went through on the first shot. I am getting nervous now but am also really looking forward to getting my life back. My surgery is scheduled for Feb. 13th. I told my boyfriend... no chocolates this Valentines day! :)
11-2-06 Surgeon Consult
Nov 02, 2006
I met with Dr. Ikramuddin today. It went well and I was glad to finally meet him. I also met with the dietician. She helped me with some ideas to begin the pre-surgery weight loss of 5-10 lbs. It was a good visit. I am feeling more nervous now but very excited too. I am wanting to change my life so badly. I am hopeful and apprehensive at the same time.
10-17-06
Oct 23, 2006
Got my labs back today. I have high cholesterol and my C-reactive protein was high. Scary things but just makes me more confident that I do need to do this to regain my health. My doctor said that she believes these both may go down as a result of having this surgery. It is good to have a supportive doctor.
10-5-06
Oct 23, 2006
I went to my primary care doctor today to talk to her about having the Lap Band surgery. We talked for awhile about it and she supports my decision. I had a bunch of labs done and she is going to send a letter of support to me with my lab results. I am nervous about the blood sugar and the cholesterol as I have never had either of them checked. Diabetes runs in the family and is a scary thing to think about for me. Hoping for the best!
