Hi All...........I Survived!!

[Guest guest]

It's finally over, I have to say that was relitively easy. Before I

go into the gorey details, I hope everyone had a fantastic Xmas and a

fun New Years Eve, mine were pretty boring I must admit!!

Here goes, don't mind if I get a bit jumbled here and there, I'm not

a particularly great letter writer....

Thursday 21st December I arrived at the hospital at the ungodly hour

of 6.30am as nervous as all hell!! The nurse weighed me (112 kg)

yikes!!! I had already weighed in at home before I left for hospital

(110 kg) that's the scales I'm going to go by.

One of the first people I saw when I was shown to my room was an old

friend of my brothers (he was an orderly). I was extremely

embarrassed as I was wearing one of those lovely tent dresses (you

know the ones!!......lol), no makeup, what a site!! Ofcourse the

first question he asked was " So, what are you in here for?? " I

couldn't very well lie, so I just swallowed and said sheepishly " As

you can see, I have a weight problem, I'm having Gastric Banding " He

replied " Oh " so we left it at that. What a great start to the day!!

I was first in-line (8am) everything happened so quick, so my

conversaton with the anaesthetist and being wheeled into theatre were

all a bit of a blur. I remember thinking to myself, I must say to Dr

" Please look after me, I don't want to die " , but I never got

the chance. The anaesthetist gave me a jab which made me immediately

feel like rubber, and that was all I remember!!!

I think I stirred a bit in recovery, I vaguely remember lifting my

gown to see if it had been open surgery or lap (luckely the latter)

not really sure about that......my first real recollection was back

in my room with my fiance looking at me. I can't really say I was in

pain as I don't remember a great deal. Drugs........aren't they

great!!! Time was irrelevant, I think I was just nodding in and out

of sleep.

I had a drip of saline solution in one arm, stockings on my calves to

help prevent blood clots and they game me a jab every once in a while

to thin my blood. Even after I was more awake I still didn't have

much pain, more uncomfortable than anything. I had to be helped to

go to the toilet as I was a bit giddy on standing. So I was one of

the lucky ones as everything went really smooth. I did have a couple

of bouts of vommiting, but I always get that after surgery so I

didn't really associate that with the band.

Dr came in to see me on Day 2 (I think, as I said, I didn't

have any idea of time) I asked him how it all went, expecting him to

say " Everything was fine " . Instead he said " Not too good, you

actually were touch and go for open surgery as your liver is quite

large for your size " I must admit, that threw me back a bit, I never

expected him to say that. I'm curious, does anyone know what causes

your liver to enlarge?? Is it just alchohol, as I am a social

drinker? He did say that this operation will help, but I didn't ask

him what causes it or what can be done to improve it.

Anyway, I went home on the Day 3 feeling excellent other than a

little tired, which I think is just the result of surgery of any

kind. I weighed in again and had lost 3 kilos already........I tell

you that feels good, I havn't lost even an ounce in years!! I had

five small (around an inch long) incisions which were stapled

together, I had those removed on Day 5 (Boxing Day) by Dr at

Ashford Hosptial Emergency Centre, I didn't have much of a chance to

talk to him as he had 3 other ladies waiting for him.

Today is Day 11 and I'm starting to feel a little hungry, is this the

norm?? I am easily satisfied though when I do eat.

I think that's enough rambling for one day, nice to join you all

again after being in lurking mode for a few weeks. I've missed

participating although I have been reading. Talk to you all soon,

and a big *Thankyou* for all the people who emailed me privately with

your well wishes, that meant more than you know!!

Love )

Preband - 110kg

Now - 107kg

[Guest guest]

-

So glad everything went well for you! Nice to see you back!

Regarding your liver question, obesity can cause us to have an enlarged,

fatty liver. Then when we lose the weight, the liver will also decrease in

size, which is why Dr said this operation would help. In many

gastric operations that are attempted lap, the liver can get in the way if

it is enlarged and force an open surgery.

I will look forward to hearing about your progress, and yes, it is perfectly

normal to start feeling hungry before " real food " is allowed. Hang in

there!

Warm Regards, of the Cakes

[Guest guest]

Hi , it is great to hear you are doing well. I am glad all went OK.

Esther.