Lap Band: Stories

I had my Lap Band procedure done on August 24,2011 at Dar Al Shifa Hospital in Kuwait. They are the first hospital in Kuwait to have been given permission by the Ministry of Health to perform this procedure. The hospital is a new, modern hospital with wonderful and helpful doctors and nursing staff. I arrived at 0900 and was taken to my room right away. I changed into a hospital gown, given an IV for meds and fluids and at 1030 was taken to the operating room. Dr. Khaled Ayyash, the laparoscopic surgeon who performed my Lap Band surgery came to my room and went over any last minute questions I might have had(which I did not), he walked down with nursing staff who wheeled me in the hospital bed to the operating room and was in the recovery room when I woke up a few hours later after the procedure was finished. He has been a surgeon for 30 years and has performed over 500 lap band surgeries and as many or more Gastric Bypass surgeries.

3 hours after the surgery(which lasted 25 minutes) I was literally up walking around the halls of the hospital. No pain, minor discomfort but no pain. I went home that evening at 10pm. I would have gone home sooner but Dr. Ayyash wanted me to be observed for 12 hours after the surgery to ensure everything was OK with me since I did have anesthesia.

The incisions are as follows 3 small and by small I mean 1/2 inch on my stomach and 1 incision about 1 1/2 inches just below the center of my chest. Again, NO PAIN, as mentioned just minor discomfort. I paid for the room for 2 days, it was part of the surgery package offered through the hospital but did not need it. Most people do spend the night but I wanted to go home as soon as I could. I was sent home with a weeks supply of antibiotics and told to take liquid Advil every 6 hours for the first week for pain if needed and powdered Nexium which I stirred into 1 cup of water 2 times a day for 5 days that was it. I took 4 days off work but could have gone back 3 days after the surgery.

My first follow up appointment to go back to have my incisions looked at and bandages changed was on September 01, 2011. Dr. Ayyash changed them himself and told me everything was looking good and to come back on September 12. all follow up visits for the first year are included in the price of the surgery.

As of today September 09, 2011 I have already lost 28 pounds. I know, I am shocked by that as well. I weigh myself every morning and have been keeping a daily log of weight loss. I have been sticking to the soft foods diet and soups. I surprisingly do not feel hungry and sometimes have to force myself to eat. I started this journey at 324lbs and am down to 296. Trying to get to 190 so I have a ways to go yet but am hell bent on getting there. :)