Well today is day 3 post-op. Was banded Thursday 24th November at The Avenue hospital in Windsor by Dr Stewart Skinner, Anaesthetist was Steven Smith (I think I got that right??). I am now at home now recuperating and looking forward to my new banded life.
Surgery day: Wayne (hubby) woke up at 4am to have a shower and his usual cup of tea etc. I got up at 4.20 as I had a long bath just before bed, washed my hair, shaved my legs etc. We left at 5am, having to be at the hospital by 6am we weren't sure about traffic and parking. We had done a dry run the night before to check out the parking siutation and if we could get one there was all day parking right along the street of the hospital with no ticket machine so were hoping to be early enough for one of them.
Was I nervous - sort of but I would say more excited than nervous. It had been a long wait (8 weeks) from when I booked it so I was just glad to have my lap band day finally get here. Arrived at the hospital at 5.30 and were able to get the good parking spot - whew. We sat in the car till 5.45am and then walked into the hospital, although the doors were open there was nobody at the desk yet. A lady came by and asked if I was to be admitted and I told her I was (it was like 10 to 6 at that stage). She said they won't be open till 6 and just sit in the waiting room. A couple more people came in and were also waiting in the waiting room and at exactly 6am the lady came over and said as I was first in she would see me first. We went into her office where I signed a billion papers and paid the $500 excess for Medibank Private and the $20 for incidentals at the hospital. They also took my credit card details to have on hand.
She then told us to go to the end of the corridor, get in the lift and go to the 3rd floor. Well we got out at the 3rd floor to the operating theatre with signs all over saying only operating theatre staff only. We couldn't see where we would have to go, both Wayne and I were totally confused. Somebody came up to us and said we probably needed to be in the other lift. Back down to the ground, I went back and asked at the admissions desk and she said it was the 1st floor I needed!!!
Back to the lift, 1st floor and saw Helen at the desk. She took me to Room 138 (we were in the Mackellar Ward), I was right at the end of the hallway. Room all to myself (bonus). It was still like only 10 to 7 by this stage and was told I was first cab off the rank and surgery booked for 8am. I was given the lovely paper undies to put on (just stretched over my stomach) and the back to front gown, not to mention the blue hair cap. I was sitting in the bed, Wayne in the chair just waiting.
The anesthestist came to see me to ask the usual million questions. Nurses came in and asked the same million questions. Then I was wheeled off to surgery. In the pre-op room Dr Skinner came by to see me and tell me everything would be fine, patted my shoulder and smiled at me. Was wheeled into theatre and moved over to the theatre bed myself. My left arm was then put onto its own little stand where Steven put in all the necessary lines needed. Mask went on, I was asked to take a couple of deep breaths - woke up in recovery room. Don't you just love general anaestesia! Don't think I was long in recovery, they just asked how I was, I nodded okay. Still had the oxygen mask on.
Went back to my room about 10am, Wayne was waiting for me. He said Dr Skinner went down to see him to say it all went well (nice of him).
I must say painwise I felt fine, no shoulder pain that I was expecting from the gas -still haven't had any shoulder pain.
The rest of the day I just had water with 2 1/2 cups of apple juice through the day. Not hungry in the least. Had a little pain in my stomach but told the nurses it was only a 2 out of 10 so can't complain. Just needed normal panadol. Had to walk down to xray for my barium xray to ensure the band was in place properly. Everything fine and it was nifty to see it on the xray machine.
Wayne left about 5.30pm and although I was really tired I didn't want to go to sleep to early in case I woke at like 2am. I watched a bit of TV and went to sleep about 9pm. Woke a few times to go to the toilet but otherwise had a good sleep, was hard to get comfortable as I usually sleep on my side and although I was able to it was a tad uncomfortable.
Day 2: Woke up about 6.30am. Going home day today. Wayne came by about 7.30. Breakfast came by - chicken broth (like water), apple juice and a peppermint tea. Luckily still not hungry. Still drinking water as well so in the toilet every 10 seconds!! Had a shower, they came and checked my blood pressure, changed my dressings and signed my discharge papers. We left about 9.15am.
Had an Up n Go at home for dinner - filled me up good. My brother and his girlfriend came around with flowers (surprise). Had a couple of hours sleep when I got home as well as I couldn't keep my eyes open!! So far so good, not much pain, think this is going to be just fine.
