The doctors and supporters never really spoke about the pain afterwards, but I've gone under the knife before so I assumed it would be about the same... But as I read, I see how so many are talking about the pain and I'm scared now. Lol anyone know the best ways to rid that pain? I heard some people try a lot of things and none of them help, but only time gets rid of it. I thought I was already prepared mentally, but I might have a little more mind-prepping to do.

The only pain that I experience was the gas pain, start walking the same day of your surgery after a good nap and walk as much as you can every day from then on. I started walking three times a day the next day after surgery Ana I feel a lot better.

im on day 7 . The first 3 days suck but after that very little pain. The do give you liquid pain meds

My surgery was today and so far very little pain. Have only taken one dose of pain meds about 6 hrs ago. Drinking/sipping warm tea or water brings on burps that removes the gas. Not sure why. Asking someone to firmly pat you on the back (like being burp' d) also may help you burp (they showed me that this morning. Lastly, walk. Good luck and hang in by there. We are going to eat this elephant one bite at a time! (sorry...couldn't resist)

Drugs; medically prescribed narcotics are best. Gas X. Heating pad for gas pained shoulders and an ice pack for your port site. Friend/partner/relative/stranger basically anyone who will massage your gas pained shoulders. It is manageable, but not a walk in the park. Best of Luck

Have you had a surgery because of any broken bone? The pain of LB surgery is way less than that. I had a wrist surgery several years ago and I expected the same painful feeling. Luckily, it was different this time. I took my opoid pain medicaition for 3.5 days and since then I only took Tylenol. I do not think that I experienced the shoulder pain (gas pain) other talk about, so I cannot talk about that. An postop Day 4 I was ready to go off the pain medication except 1 tylenol for night time. I do not want to mitigate the issue, do not misunderstand me, the first 48 hours were difficult. However after Day 2-3 it significantly improves.

I am 6 days post-op and I'm no longer on pain meds. It's not that bad. The first 48 hours were my worst but nothing that the pain pills they perscribed and walking away the gass pain couldn't handle. By day 4 I was just taking tylenol for the pain and today nothing. The only "pain" I have is some discomfort on my port site. This was my first surgery ever so I don't have anything else to compare it to.

Each person is different. I am someone who experienced ALOT of pain until about day 7 post op. I was frustrated because like the post above me everyone else was okay by day 3. To be honest I cried days 3 - 5 because I thought my body was rejecting the band and I wanted it out of me. On Day 3 I ran out of pain med and didnt get a refill until day 5. Those days were horrible. I am 14 days post op now and mostly fine other than some pain from my incisions (I think they are infected). Each person has a different reaction to surgery. I know once I came out of anesthesia I started thrashing & screaming in recovery because of the pain and disorientation. I might have done extra damage then to make my recovery time longer... who knows.

I'm 6 weeks post op and I feel great!! The first 3 days are tough and the only thing I had an issue with was the gas pains up in my shoulders. All my incisions were soar and my port incision was really tight for about a week or so and then it eventually went away. Try to get as much Protein in you as you can it really speeds the recovery process up, it def helped me out a lot. Just make sure you rest and get your fluids in. Be careful when you move around too!!

-Amine

I had gas pain the first 24-34 hours and after that nothing. I drove less than 12 hours after surgery and felt fine. For me, the not knowing what to expect was the biggest pain. I used the liquid vicodin that first night and in early morning after getting up and never again. Use the heating pad on your upper shoulders even if you don't experience any discomfort. The heat will loosen all your muscles and they wont constrict as much so you will feel more relaxed and very little gas pains will occur. I use dthe heating pad on my upper shoulders 3 times a day (15-20 minutes each time) watching TV. It helps.

Best wishes and Keep the Faith.

The only pain I feel at the moment is from the gas. It goes from tolerable to unbarable. I am taking the pain meds they gave me but it is not really doing much to relieve the gas. I have been walking but I didn't want to overdo it and rip my stitches. good luck!

The only pain I had was the left shoulder pain. It lasted for 3 days... a heating pad really helped and walking. Extra Strength Advil did the trick for the pain.

Tom, Toronto

Banded July 6 06

Wt. Loss: 160 lbs