Hi there everyone I've been hovering around the forums for a couple weeks now, learning all I can about lapband. I'm really excited to get my first appointment with my surgeon - I already went to one of their information seminars and got the referral from my PCP.

Anyways, I keep reading that people have doubts about the surgery when they are recovering. Since it's done laparoscopically I just assumed it would be as uncomfortable as having my gallbladder removed. But if people are really wondering why they did this to themselves, surely it must hurt more than that?

So what would you compare the lapband procedure to, pain wise? On a scale of 1-10 (1 being smallest, 10 being the worst), whats the pain like?

I give it a 5... lots of gas pains were the worst.

I give it a 5... lots of gas pains were the worst.

Oh good, that's manageable! lol I remember the gas pain from my gall bladder surgery...I thought I was dying and didn't want to get out of bed. But the nurse insisted that if I walked it would feel better, and sure enough, a small lap around the room and the pain started to dissipate!

In addition to the gas pain...the incision area where they sutured in the port was very painful. I would have to say the first 2 days my pain was a 7 and overall uncomfortableness was a 9. I'm 3 day post op and feel much, much better.

Pain was a 2

Gas was just darn uncomfortable for a week or so but Not painful.

My gall badder removal 20 years ago was worse than childbirth and way worse than the band.....I recall vividly.