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I was woozy and needed help so walk at first. I was “out” 6 hours for surgery because the hiatal hernia repair was very difficult they said. I walked every hour during the time I was awake. I drank things even when I felt nauseous. The nurses gave me meds for nausea. The pain was minimal but I’m not a sensitive person. I drove myself home the next day. The hardest part at home was getting out of low seats. It helps to sleep sitting up, or at an incline for a few days or weeks if you had GERD. Keeping up the fluids and walking often helps all the other issues. I had asthma complications with the anesthesia so bring your meds from home, and speak up about your needs while in the hospital because once you leave no one will help without a full work up in the ER. So, if you have moderate to severe asthma, ask for intravenous steroids or intravenous vitamin A to help you get over stuff dripping into your lungs while “out.” Ask for what you need for your health!

RE:If the erosion rate is 1% why don’t you reflect costs for complications and band removal? I FIND THIS IS AN OLDER THREAD. ARE THERE DRs IN MX WHO OFFER THEIR SERVICES WITH NO FEES AFTER COMPLICATIONS WITH THE BAND, EROSIONS, REMOVAL ETC? THE PRICE YOU PAY FOR YOUR SURGERY INCLUDES ALL THIS? THANKS MUCH, PAM

Fletcher, Don't beat yourself up! You have already done it and you can't go back and correct it. But, what you can do is make a decision right now to stay on track. If you are like me, your dieting history probably included so many starts and stops. As soon as I blew a diet, I would think, "well, I already messed up, so I might as well eat this too." Don't let that happen to you this time. Instead, get focused on letting your body heal...that is the whole point of the liquid phase. If you keep eating solids before your body is fully healed, you could have some complications. I came to love tomato soup during the liquid phase. My doctor even let me crumble up some crackers in the soup. If you make the soup with milk instead of Water, you are adding some Protein that way. Some milk has more protein than others. If you are in an area with a Braum's store, their milk has a lot of protein compared to most. Hang in there! You can do this. I know that it seems like the liquid phase will last forever, but you'll be through it before you know it!

I'm Curious...I have been reading many posts lately from people stating how much weight they have been loosing prior to having their surgery.....how succesful and proud of themselves they are... One person reported how much weight they have lost, how much they love to go to the gym, and stated that food has no control over them.....they are in control!!! Another poster was bragging...and rightfully so, how they have lost over 70 lbs so far, prior to getting their surgery date...and there have been many others. I'm curious, if people are that successful and motivated, why go through something as drastic as surgery??? For me, it was a last resort, I could not loose weight on my own or take control over my eating. I even screwed up and failed at my required 6 month Dr. supervised diet...I think if I had lost 70 lbs on my pre-op diet, my Insurance co. would have said...... "See? You CAN do it...you don't need surgery..." So WLS was not a reward for me for doing do well, it was a last resort because I was such a failure....a glutton and food slob....with one foot in the grave. I had no other alternative. Believe me, if I didn't need it I would not put up with something wrapped around my stomach, connected to something that sticks out like a large tumor on my belly....and the scars...and the fears of complications in the future.....no sir...it was not something I liked doing, and would not have if I had any choice....but I had no alternative. ... I wonder, if people do so well without surgery, what are they hoping to achieve with surgery??? What would their expectations be? What are the hoping for in addition to what they are already achieving on their own ?? I wish I never had to resort to surgery...I wish I had the motivation and self control to do it on my own, sadly I did not... But yet, every day there are posts with people stating how great they are doing pre-op.... In the back of my mind I'm thinking that one's success is determined by how much in a need you are for solution? How desperate you are? Literally Life or Death? Enough to fully commit through the good and bad to get it at all costs? Literally (for me) it was Do or Die ??? May be nothing...just something on my mind...all I do know is, I would not have gone through all this if I did not need it....and if I did not need it, how committed would I have been to sacrifice and succed? And if I did not show some level of commitment and need, would my PCP even refer me in the first place? Would I have passed the Physc. Eval? Would my Surgeon agree to do the procedure and take me on as a patient???? So when I read posts about people loosing 70lbs + without surgery, and stating they have complete control over food, I have to ask myself WHY??? Why are you here??? Why alter you digestive system with surgery??? It's 4:30 am and I just ranting along with my morning coffee before I go to the gym when they open at 5....

Just because you can doesn't mean you should. Doing it is just as irresponsible as bragging about it. Hope you haven't set yourself up for any future complications.

No, the needle cannot be reused. Lack of knowledge of this very, very basic tenet of aseptic technique makes the fact that you are doing this on your own worrisome. Are any of your healthcare providers privy to your activities? I ask, because if you've gone maverick, you may well void any sort of possibility of gaining medical care related to the band in the future. It's scary, for physicians, to care for patients who practice medicine on themselves without a license. And for good reason! Also consider that you may queer your possibilities of having care for any complications that may arise covered by insurance. I'm glad you're feeling wonderful, and hope you do well. But in your shoes, I think I'd work on locating a nearby professional to carry this task out. Look, if you can do it, your PCP---whereever you are---can learn to do it. Have him/her phone the doctor who banded you for instructions.

Whilst sitting in a waiting room for many hours (fill problems, blah blah blah), I had a surprise visit from the coordinator of the Lap Band program at the hospital. I had dealt with her about a year ago, when setting this thing up. She runs the local support group meetings, but as of yet I have not attended any of them. So she sticks her head in the room, and asks "do you know me?" Strange question, but I do in fact recognize her since she's "in context" in the hospital. She then says that she doesn't know who I am, but that she had been told by the nurses that one of her lap band patients was in the room. At first, she didn't even believe that I was a lap band guy, but I pulled out the driver's license and she recognized me from that photo. We had a long discussion about the journey, and what this has been like. She was taking copious notes, apparently she's trying to get follow up info for patients to meet some regulatory guideline. I told her I was blogging about this ("what's a blog? Do I use Netscape for that?") and that she could read that if she wanted. Normal platitudes, "ya look great", etc. She's trying to get me to come to the support meetings as a speaker. I'm thinking that one over, not sure that I want to get in front of anyone to talk about this stuff. Talking physical changes is easy, but if they ask about the emotional/mental ones I'm not sure what to say. Besides, my complications would scare the bejeepers out of the newbies.... So my Q to the group, and the reason for the post -- has anyone been put in the position of talking to support groups and potential WLS people? If so, was that worth doing, and would you go talk to them again? I'm not a big fan of public speaking, but a small group might be ok.

There are 8,030 members of this forum. Granted not all are active members, but with the sheer number of people that are banded and post you ARE going to hear about some complications. The percentage of complications with the lapband is actually very low.....and even slips, erosion, etc...are treatable. I really weighed the risk of a complication against the GARAUNTEE that I would have health related issues if I didnt lose this weight. For me it was a no brainer....I already had borderline high BP, insulin resistance, and high cholesterol...all obesity related. I was pretty much the highest risk possible for heart disease. I am already on the road to better health. I no longer take BP meds (BP now 120/72!). I have cut my Metformin dose for Insulin Resistance. My last bloodwork showed my cholesterol has dropped to only borderline high. I wish I had done this sooner! Huge bonus is being able to fit in Misses size 16 right now and be able to wear cute clothes again, and looking so much better!

I agree with Terri! I've only just begun, but so far I love it! I keep track of my calories, and the first couple of weeks having 300-400 calories a day, I was simply amazed. Now I have no restriction till my first fill, but I get full so much quicker.. pre-band I don't know that I ever just got full. I was either hungry, or stuffed (very rare.. Thanksgiving..) So now, until I get my fill I do get hungry more often and have had my 'binge' moments, where I want a lot of food. And then when it's all said and done, my binge is only 1/10th (maybe less) of what it would have been before the band..so it's keeping me in check! It's also teaching me to slow down and think about food choices.. if I can only have so little food, I want to make it count! About beating yourself up over not being able to do it without the band.. don't feel bad, in America over 60% of people are overweight.. it's not like you're an outcast! We all can relate.. believe me, if I could have done this on my own, I definitely wouldn't have risked surgery. My number one concern (besides a cathetar) going into surgery, was that.. if I died doing an 'elective surgery' that my parents helped me pay for, they would never forgive themselves. But the risks of complications is sooo small (.5%), so once you get your surgery date, it will come and go before you know it! Good luck

Well, so I'm back to this arena. I had a Realize Lap-Band put in back in October 2009. Since then, I have lost a grand total of ... wait for it ... 0.0 lbs. Dialed up the band saline level to the max allowed, went through four bariatric doctors, one of whom tried to sell me on an MLM, and two left the industry or otherwise ghosted me. It's been ... a helluva ride and a helluva disappointment. I clearly did not do the research needed and chose the wrong procedure. I felt zero decrease in hunger with the band, and while it of course made me eat much slower, it did absolutely nothing to quell hunger. I have felt hungry pretty much 24/7 for the entirety of this damn thing. And no, I didn't lose weight and then slowly gain it back, except for a bit on the first month post-op. My nine year weight history has been a flat line. I understand I'm at least a little bit unusual, but a) I'm probably not that unusual and b) it's the truth. So I'm back, on track for a VSG on 1/25, and doing self-pay as work insurance has a very strict, absolutely no exceptions allowed one time max on bariatric procedures. They are "graciously" paying for the band removal, subject to my $6k HDHP annual deductible. (Hence delaying until January - I'll hit my deductible for the year for anything that comes up post-op). Researched Mexico but decided to pay more to stay local - I'm a Virginian and Mexico is far. I might have felt differently if I lived in the Southwest or West Coast. Anyway. Has anyone else had a failed band - no complications, no leakage, just no weight loss - and then succeeded with VSG? I want to hear your stories! Brian

Glad your doing well! Yes I'm excited but so scared at the same time. I'm worried about complications and how everything will be after surgery. I just pray everything goes well. Sent from my SCH-I545 using the BariatricPal App

Obviously, this is up to you and your reasons for getting one surgery rather than another will differ from other people. People's individual experiences (success, failure, challenges) with the band may also differ. But you're asking for other people's experiences, so here's why I personally chose the band and what I think of the sleeve: At this point, I'm pretty happy with the band. I really have no major complaints. Not being able to eat certain foods isn't a big deal to me. I had some moments after my last fill where I was upset because I was too tight and vomiting, but I had a little bit of the fill taken out and now I'm pretty good. If I had to choose again, I think I might have considered the sleeve more seriously. The reasons are that the sleeve requires no post-op maintenance (no fills etc.), doesn't necessarily require Vitamin pills if you eat well, and the modified section of the stomach is less susceptible to stretching than the banded pouch or the bypass stomach. Plus, the sleeve is more consistent with the level of restriction you have from day to day, and you'll be able to eat all kinds of foods, just in much smaller portions. I would also prefer the sleeve in the sense that, while it doesn't bother me that much, I would rather not have a noticeable foreign object in my stomach. The port is a little annoying at times and I don't like that I can feel and often see the bump under my skin. Also, along with restricting the size of the stomach, the sleeve surgery removes the part of the stomach that produces the "hunger" hormone, Ghrelin; so, the sleeve reduces hunger (actual physiological hunger, not "head" hunger) more than the band. Finally, another big reason is that the sleeve can be done by some reputable, experienced doctors in Mexico for about $5000-9000. The reason I went with the band in August 2010 was because I was scared that the Mexico surgeries were all so cheap because the doctors weren't qualified, well-regulated (etc.). Turns out that, while there are many shabby clinics in Mexico, there are some inexpensive surgeons who are highly qualified. There's one, a Dr. Ramos Kelly, who has a lot of experience, a very good track-record, a great reputation amongst his patients in the VSG board, and he does the surgery for about $5500. He also does the lapband surgery for about the same price, but because bands require post-op maintenance (several fills) and I live in Canada, I don't want to have the hassle of finding a new doctor in Canada to agree to do my fills for a surgery done by another surgeon (many won't). I was self-pay, and I still feel really guilty that my mother had to pay $16 000 for my band (she was happy to, and her only worry is that I will have regrets about the band or the surgery will fail, but I still can't help feeling guilty especially if I have to get the band removed before I reach goal!). So, while I'm currently happy with the band, I'm just really worried about future complications. Experiencing some kind of complication (like slipped bands) seems common among bandsters after a few years. Studies have shown that complications are very common among bandsters 5 years after surgery. With the sleeve, there's a risk of peri-operative complications (leaking) that is greater than the band, but I don't hear of complications years after surgery on the VSG board. The people on the VSG board seem to be much happier and better able to reach goal without having to mess around with fills and go through periods of "bandster hell." People say that at least the band is reversible, but many bandsters know that, while the object itself can be removed, the resulting scar-tissue and other complications of the band are often permanent or at least long-term. That's not quite reversible. There is no perfect weight-loss surgery. Even with the sleeve, people can still cheat. They can drink milk-shakes and eat around the sleeve stomach too. I don't have a problem with junk-food, just portion-control, and seeing as both surgeries can't resolve the problem of food choices, this isn't really a reason to choose the band over the sleeve. So, as you can tell, I'm beginning to really favour the sleeve as opposed the band. If I ever have a slip or other complication, rather than pay $5000 to get the band replaced, I'm taking my money to Mexico and getting the sleeve (unless I find upon further research that the sleeve is not a good option for me).

If you struggle with obesity, you probably already face or are worried about getting a variety of health conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, and asthma. Type 2 diabetes is another obesity-related condition that can affect you and lead to scary complications if you’re unable to control your blood sugar. You can use diabetes medications to help control your blood sugar levels, but often, weight loss surgery and the right diet can be even better. Reminder: the Importance of Diabetes If you don’t have diabetes, someone in your family might if obesity runs in your family. You may remember a parent, aunt or uncle, or grandparent who had diabetes and suffered from complications. 29 million Americans, or 9.3 percent of the population, have diabetes, or high blood sugar, and most cases are linked to obesity. Type 2 diabetes is the seventh-leading cause of death in the U.S., but it gets worse. It’s a risk factor for heart disease and high blood pressure, stroke, and high cholesterol. Uncontrolled blood sugar can lead to kidney failure, blindness, infections, and amputations. In total, the U.S. spends about $245 billion per year on diabetes. Medications for Diabetes Diabetes medications can help keep your blood sugar in check in various ways. The following are some common types of diabetes medications. Increase insulin sensitivity. Reduce the amount of sugar your liver releases to the bloodstream. Increase insulin production. Prevent the kidney from reabsorbing sugars. Slow down metabolism of sugars and starches. Diabetes medications help, but each type has drawbacks. They can cause weight gain, increase your risk of infections, harm your heart, and lead to nausea and vomiting. Unless you’re on a good health plan, these medications can also be expensive. The Effects of Weight Loss Surgery on Diabetes When considering weight loss surgery, you probably think about the number on the scale, how nice it will be to shop at regular clothes stores, having more energy, and improving your heart health. It turns out that weight loss surgery has a big effect on diabetes, too. People who get weight loss surgery often see their blood sugar levels drop and are able to decrease their medication doses or get off of medications entirely. You’d expect to have improvements in diabetes if you lose a lot of weight after weight loss surgery. After all, your diabetes was probably caused by obesity. Whether or not you get surgery, you’re likely to have better control over your blood sugar levels if you lose a lot of weight. However, it turns out that weight loss surgery has a bigger impact on diabetes than what you’d expect just from losing weight alone. In some studies, patients have had their blood sugars lowered as soon as a few days after surgery! In just a few days, you can’t lose enough weight to explain the drop is blood sugar. There must be another explanation. As it turns out, researchers do have a lot of theories about what causes the health improvements so quickly. It may have something to do with the way your body processes carbohydrates. There could be increases in insulin sensitivity. Multiple hormones are probably involved. Researchers don’t know all of the reasons for sure, but these results are pretty consistent. The gastric bypass is most likely best at resolving diabetes quickly, following be the vertical sleeve gastrectomy. The lap-band isn’t as effective, but lap-band patients do tend to see at least some improvements. Each type of weight loss surgery has its own advantages and disadvantages, so be sure to ask your surgeon for advice. The Weight Loss Surgery Diet and Diabetes Surgery is only part of the solution to controlling diabetes or preventing pre-diabetes from developing into diabetes. If you want maximum benefits and lasting effects, you also need to take a look at your nutrition. For weeks, months, and years after weight loss surgery, your diet will largely determine your weight loss and blood sugar levels. Fortunately, the weight loss surgery diet is also a diet that can lower your blood sugar levels. First, stick to your low-calorie diet. If you’re not counting calories, serve yourself only the portions and types of foods that your surgeon allows. The low-calorie diet lets you lose weight and as you do, you’ll find that your blood sugar is in a healthier range. Next, there’s the protein content. You already know that you need to focus on protein on your weight loss surgery diet. It keeps you full to help you lose weight, and prevents symptoms of protein deficiency. Another benefit is that it doesn’t spike your blood sugar and insulin levels like carbohydrates do. When you eat fewer carbs and more protein, your blood sugar levels will be more stable. There are a few other ways you can plan your weight loss surgery diet to also be healthy for your blood sugar. Better yet, these tips will also make your diet higher in nutrients. Instead of refined grains, select whole grains, such as oatmeal and whole wheat bread and pasta, whenever possible. Eat plenty of vegetables, since they’re filling, low-calorie, and unlikely to spike your blood sugar. Choose unsaturated fats, such as olive oil, instead of saturated fats, such as butter, to promote heart health and better control your blood sugar. Eat high-fiber foods, such as whole grains, vegetables, beans, and fruit, to feel less hungry and to prevent blood sugar spikes. Type 2 diabetes can be an inconvenient disease to manage, and it can cause all kinds of devastating complications. If you have diabetes or prediabetes and are thinking about weight loss surgery, it’s important to know the facts. Weight loss surgery can help resolve your diabetes and get you off medication, but it’s not likely to be too effective without a good diet, too. Just like with weight loss, weight loss surgery is a tool for diabetes management, and you need to follow a healthy nutrition plan to get the maximum results.

I have had significant left side and shoulder pain since I got the Lap-Band placed, August 6, 2013. I know that it is due to the phrenic-vagus nerve being stimulated. This nerve has to do with breathing and eating as well as your eyes and sinuses. I had very significant pain there directly post-op, but I passed it off as gas pains. Since recovery, I have had pain there at almost all times. I have not been able to sleep on my left side for 11 months, making my right hip have joint problems (that's a whole other issue though). I am wanting to know if anyone has had experience with this? My surgeon is recommending a complete unfill, so I will have an inactive band, causing me nerve damage (I have 5cc in my 10cc band, no restriction). I understand that this pain can be common to have sporadically, but is usually not constant as it is with me. I have been in pain that is significant enough to keep me from going to work and school. Has anyone else had an experience with a complication like this? Or does anyone know of the complications that my band rubbing against a nerve could have long term? If so, what was done to treat this issue? I am only 18, so I was planning to have this band in for the long haul, not to have serious complications haha. Thanks!

Ok, so Im feeling down in the dumps again for some reason, and now Im pissed at wal*mart too! I am in a depressed mood, so I decide Im gonna go shopping and the only thing open is Wal*Mart, I get probably $100 worth the stuff, and I decide to chek out, I watched them close 2 or 3 registers right in front of me...so Then I have to stand in a long long long line because they decide to only have two checkers, Im behind about 15 ppl, no joke.......so I just got pissed off, yelled at the lady closing the lines, and left..................... I dont know why I feel like this, I had one bad day in the past 2 weeks....maybe because Im feeling sick. I went out last night even though I felt bad....met a hot guy that was being very forward with me, and I couldnt even do anything because Im sick !! I guess I miss the days when life was much more simple, yet it seemed so complicated ????? Now I would have that back, but only for ONE day! I have school work to do, and I dont even want to do it....I start work next Saturday....I just have an issue this time of year....I miss my grandfather more than anything......and quite frankly I feel like a whore because I condone casual sex without being in a relationship with that person........I LOVE all the attention ofcourse......but I really miss that connection that my ex and I had......although Im happier without him...I guess I need to leave the boys alone??? I feel like crap because I just decided to become a booty call, and trust me my ego is right at the top for a few days, then it just plummets down really low........maybe Im an attention whore, I need it all the time to be happy...because when Im in a large crowd of ppl, and getting compliments and getting hit on Im SOO happy, but when I go home, I just feel like crap.........hmmm....I guess I use this as blogging more than anything

It's a great list for surgeries that go well, which is most of them! But, in cases where it goes wrong, not only is there the whole "risk of death" thing, but there are a bunch of other possible complications. Not that it's something to focus on pre-op, but if you really want to know what you could be getting into, best to cruise the complications forum. A leak could mean months in the hospital. A stricture could mean multiple procedures to dilate. Complications could lead to revision to another surgery. Just something to keep in mind when going over "worst case scenarios."

I tried lettuce at like 6 weeks and couldn't do it. I'm 8 now and I have no issues but I was healed in the inside at 5 weeks and I know this cause I needed emergency surgery at 5 weeks for a very rare complication so he checked his work.

This is my biggest fear. I have tried very hard to change my lifestyle permanently. I indulge once in a while, but I know that I could easily slip back into bad habits. I eat nothing without knowing exactly how many calories are in it, to a point of obsession. Granted there are times I eat a high calorie item anyway but I just don't and can't let it be part of my everyday life. I know you are having complications with the band, are you eating the right foods? Get back to the basics. Follow the rules, chew chew chew, eat slow, and small bites. I haven't been stuck in many months! I wish you luck! YOu can do it!

Welcome! You know yourself best. Hopefully your passion doesn't burn brightly for a few months and then wane in time. This is a long game and it's nearly all mental. I had 6 months of visits and I'm glad for it. The delay gave me time to start therapy, time to read all the books I could get, time to research complications and treatments, time to gather supplies, and time to prepare my loved ones. It also gave me time to try to lose weight on my own, fully cementing the conviction that I cannot. Take advantage of this time - as short as it is. Learn about yourself. Learn all you can about your issues with food and learn ways to correct them. Learn new coping skills - you'll need them when you can no longer turn to food. And you'll need to keep practicing them, so that when food becomes a viable coping option again - later on - you won't go down that road.

Well, you're definitely odd... No, I wouldn't count you in the "complication" group -- I think you have something else going on with your body. Is the thyroid medication helping at all yet? I haven't read all the posts around here lately, sorry if that's already answered somewhere...

1. Was your procedure outpatient or did you stay overnight? Overnight 2. Did you have complications related to surgery? None 3. What you were given for at home pain? How many days did you take it? Paracetemol which is a standard headache type med 4. Pain after surgery for how many days? None at all - if it wasnt for the incisions I would wonder if it had been done!! 5. Degree of pain...10 being your arm was cut off and 1 being a paper cut? 0 6. Doctor and state where surgery was done? Rob Fris Auckland New Zealand

1. Was your procedure outpatient or did you stay overnight? Stayed overnight because of some bleeding of one of the "stab" sites. 2. Did you have complications related to surgery? Not considered a complication. 3. What you were given for at home pain? How many days did you take it? Liquid Roxicet. Taken first day only! 4. Pain after surgery for how many days? About 2-3 days. Gas pains were worse! 5. Degree of pain...10 being your arm was cut off and 1 being a paper cut? Pain from surgery was around a "3." Shoulder pain can hit a 7-8 easily. 6. Doctor and state where surgery was done? Dr. Connie Campbell, C.M.C. Manchester, NH

1. Was your procedure outpatient or did you stay overnight? stayed 1 night 2. Did you have complications related to surgery? no - not yet 3. What you were given for at home pain? How many days did you take it? just pain killers from the chemist (drug store) 4. Pain after surgery for how many days? 10 days of bad shoulder pain / minimal tummy pain 5. Degree of pain...10 being your arm was cut off and 1 being a paper cut? 3-8 shoulder pain 6. Doctor and state where surgery was done? Dr Nicholson - Brisbane - Queensland - Australia Brillant doctor !!!

1. Was your procedure outpatient or did you stay overnight? Overnight 2. Did you have complications related to surgery? Not yet. I was banded 05-04-07. 3. What you were given for at home pain? How many days did you take it? Liquid Vicadin. Still taking it but only once a day now. 4. Pain after surgery for how many days? Pain from gas. Tremendous pain the first and second day. Eased up considerably the fourth day (yesterday). 5. Degree of pain...10 being your arm was cut off and 1 being a paper cut? First few days = 8. This morning (day 5) = 1. 6. Doctor and state where surgery was done? Dr. Trace Curry, Cincinnati, Ohio

1. Was your procedure outpatient or did you stay overnight? Outpatient but could have stayed the night. The doctor said my surgery was really easy and if I wanted to I could go home. I had surgery at about 12:30 pm and stayed until about 8:30pm. 2. Did you have complications related to surgery? I had an allergic reaction to the iodine and still have a rash that I'm dealing with, very itchy. Not a bad complication just a bothersome one. 3. What you were given for at home pain? How many days did you take it? Liquid Tylenol and liquid vicodin (sp?). I'm still taking Tylenol all day and two nights ago I used the vicodin to help me sleep. I used that for about two days straight at home. 4. Pain after surgery for how many days? I'm still having pain just not as much and sometimes only when I move certain ways or cough. I'm 7 days out and back to work today for my first full day. 5. Degree of pain...10 being your arm was cut off and 1 being a paper cut? I would say when I first woke up I was not prepared for the pain, I said it was a 7. Now it's a 1-2. My Doctor also does a couple extra stiches to prevent a hernia so he said that would be the most painful part for some people. 6. Doctor and state where surgery was done? Dr Earl Fox, Washington State. :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: Yah it's over and I'm healing!! Hope to be loosing soon