I had my Lap band fitted on Saturday 14th of April 2012 with the hospital group.

It has been 4 days now and I am getting better by the day but, still find it hard to get up and down off of chairs and in and out of bed. I am still quite swollen in my port area and I am still getting some pain. I'm also struggling to drink as much fluid as advised and I don't normally find it hard to drink?

As I'm new to this I would just like to know if this is normal and how long this will last?

Days 4 and 5 were the worst for me. I start feeling better around day 6 and felt great by day nine.

Day 3 and 4 were my worst but you will start feeling better day by day. The port area takes the longest to heal.

The first 2 weeks were hard for me to get in and out of bed. I would recommed you using a step stool if you have a high bed like mine and dont push yourself to much. Its important for you to get in tune with your body and take it slow. Your body will tell you when your ready. Today is my 1 month surgerversary and im still sore but it has gotten a lot better. Good luck!

I am on day 2 post-op and so far feeling good. I have hardly used the pain meds they've given me. I had some discomfort getting out of bed this morning. I have a bad back and find it hard to stay on my back all night so I had to lay on my side at times and that caused some aching. So far no shoulder pain.

The first week was the hardest - -it gets easier from there! I found there was some pulling in the area of the port- went in for my 1 week follow up and thought something was wrong but everything was ok- the steri-strips and stitches just felt tight - once they came out it was all good! That was almost 11 months ago! Do your best to drink the fluids- it is so important- you do not want to get dehydrated! I would keep a glass beside me and just constantly take sips to ensure I got the right amount in...

I had trouble getting in all of my fluids for the first week. After that, it all fell into place.

Pain is normal.. What ever you all do.

Do not go for days with out a bm. you will be very sorry,.

still find it hard to get up and down off of chairs and in and out of bed.

I had been "lucky" enough to have had a couple of major abdominal surgeries prior to my lap band. I think that helped put me ahead of the learning curve for getting in and out of chairs and bed. I think most of us use our stomach muscles to sit up and you need to give them a break right now. Use your arms and legs as much as possible when moving into or from a chair or bed. When getting up from bed try to keep your legs together as much as possible and move them over the side of the bed. Use your arms to push yourself up. Take advantage of chair arms or a table in front of you when standing up from a chair or as you go to sit down. And most of all remember it gets better and easier!