When i went into WLS center in April my weight was 369lbs....They had me on the surgery table may 9th and I'm not going to lie the first week to 10 days you will be in pain...Try gas x for the shoulder pain.My first check up my weight was 332.Then things got crazy my surgeon left 2 cc in the band witch is not normal because of the swelling.I actually said good bye to the 300's in early July I had a month i lost 22 lbs followed by 17 that may sound great but i promise you that your going to be really sick.In August after WLS consulted with experts things slowed down to 10-12 pounds a month and i felt alot better.I hit 251lbs in October and today weighed in at 232 lbs.I read alot of post on here about not losing fast enough.If you can loose 1-3 lbs a week you are doing great and doing it the safe way.This surgery saved my life.I support the ban %100.If your thinking of getting the band you need to realize The band is a tool and if your willing to make life style changes it's a big help!If you expect the band to do all the work you will fail.I'm at the point i don't even count calories anymore because i trust the band.Any way good luck to all of you getting banded in the end it's worth it!

Congratulations on the WL! Sorry you spent a lot of time being sick. I have not had that problem since being banded. Matter of fact, I did have the bloated gas feeling right after surgery, but not the shoulder pain everyone talks about.

If you don't mind my asking, why were you getting so sick for so long?

I'm almost 3mths out and have had none of that. I hope it is behind you now.

So far, I'm happy with my band.

good job james.

i hope the people who are newbies or prebies will read your post and especially the part of (let the band help you by us helping the band) and take it to heart....it does not do all the work...you are 100% correct and by you doing so well, you are def a success story in my book...have a great day today

Congratulations on your success. You are so right when you say:

"The band is a tool and if your willing to make life style changes it's a big help!If you expect the band to do all the work you will fail."

I hope all the newbies read this. Good luck to you & thanks for sharing your story.

1. The reason they came up with was the 2cc left in the band and swelling.
   

Glad to hear you are doing so well.