I am as I said before getting banded on January 10, 2013. I enjoy reading everyone posts and am learning so much. I am concerned about the post where people seem to have problems. Is there any way to avoid problems such as constant throwing up and heart burn? I know that banded is the way for me to go and there are so many positive things that will happen for me, but I am concerned. Also can anyone tell me when they woke up from surgery how much pain where they in? Also, if you can take pills? Did you have pain medication and if so how did you take it? I am sorry to ask these questions but would like to know the answers. I am 55 and want to know if there are some folks around my age that have it this done? I love to hear from everyone. Thanks.

Yes there are ways to avoid most of the complications. As you have read everyone is different on how the react to the band and some people have more extreme problems than others. I have been banded for two years and in my early days when first banded I did have heart burn and some reflux for several months. My physician had me on reflux medication and I seemed to live on Gas-X in the first 6 months, everything seemed to give me gas. As for the throwing up, slimming, PBing (Puck Back) it should be minimal and really only happens if we; one eat to fast, two eat something we really shouldn't or we fail to chew or try to drink and eat at the same time.

I am around your age, actually I am older, I am 57 and have lost 122 lbs and I am at goal. My results are not typical, I have worked hard to lose all my weight. The usually only expect you to lose 40-50% of your weight by the literature.

As far as the blogs and the forums, In the early days I took the positive comments and situations and tried to make them work for me and all the negative; I tried to learn from them also, as things I may want to avoid.

This is a web site which allows all of us to vent our frustrations, brag about our successes and not feel like we will be judged or ridiculed for anything we say or do.

The band does require commitment and honestly it is hard, losing weight is hard, even with the band it is a lot of work. I wish you success in your journey but walk into this with your eyes wide open and realize that it will be work and it is not going to do it on it;s own.

You are the only one who has control of what you put in your body: NOT the BAND!

PS: one thing I forgot, be ready for honesty, when you ask the opinion of the people on this site they will be honest and sometimes it may hurt but they or we don't pull punches because we all need to be held accountable for our actions. Some of the conversations can get a little heated sometimes but everyone is in a different place and the feel very passionate about this process and their personal journey. Again, Good Luck!

I am 56 and was banded 10/15.

Lovethenewme told you what to expect from the band, so I'll tell you my experience with the surgery. I can't say I was in a lot of pain from the surgery itself, but the gas they pump into you has your stomach so distended, it is uncomfortable, but not unbearable.

They give you a liquid pain med , which helps and puts you to sleep.

The best thing you can do from get go is get up and walk, walk, walk. That gets rid of that gas. I never had the shoulder gas pain ppl talk about.

I was able to swallow my b/p, prilosec& arthritis medicine whole after 1 wk. I cut them up before then.

Like LTNM said, read everything you can and be prepared.

I wish you the best on your journey!

P S s asking questions is how you learn.

No one minds questions.