As far as he pain ...its just bending down to pick something up or sudden moves other than that not much pain anymore .......as far as the gas ,most of the surgical gas is gone i believe but,,with all the protien shakes the other gas is actually very relieving at times ..but another few weeks of shakes and soon mushy foods then onto regular foods .....and MORE WIEGHT LOSS......and EXERSIZE.....cant wait to be able to firm up as well as loss weight