HI IM KRIS AND IM NEW TO THIS IM HAVING A BAND PUT IN ON WEDNESDAY AND VERY FRIGHTEND:phanvan

Don't be frightened...it is quick and painless...my biggest problem was feeling like a tick about to pop for a week..Good Luck and do some deep breathing

Hi Kris, welcome.

Everyone is different, but my experience wasn't 'painless'. It wasn't bad, just not painless.

For the first 3 or 4 days I was sore where the port is, but able to get in and out of a chair ok as long as I moved slowly. Also when I walked I was a bit "hunched over". The 'pain' felt like really sore muscles, like I had done lots of crunches. The first night I took one teaspoon of the liquid codeine and slept soundly all night.

At about a week I was able to sleep on my stomach again as well on my side where the port is.

At three weeks out I'm good as new with no port tenderness at all.

My husband had a bit of a different experience and had a bit more pain, but again it wasn't bad and liquid tylenol was all that it took. His port area was "tender" for about a month and it took him a bit longer to be able to sleep on his stomach, but his payback is that he's lost 80 pounds in 7 months and is off of his blood pressure medicine.

Good luck and don't worry!

Hello Kris,

I am having my band put in on Nov. 20th and I am feeling very nervous too. My family is very unsupportive about the surgery and is trying to get me to change my mind so I have to struggle against that too. However, I really think that it will all be worth it. I know that it will be tough and probably a bit painful at times, but I have heard over and over again that it is not a terrible experience to go through. I actually have two women in my office that have had the band put in a while ago and they are doing wonderfully! Good luck to you and dont be frightened, look forward to a new you!

Don't worry yourself for no need. Like everyone has said it's quicker than a dentist visit and to me less painful. You'll be up and doing everything you ever did in just days and the pain is minimal. You'll be wondering why didn't I do this sooner, or at least I did. Good luck and I will be thinking about you both and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.

Hi, I'm getting banded on Nov. 6th. While I am a little nervous about the surgery and the work and dedication it will take to make this work, I'm mostly thrilled and exhilerated by the possibilities that are opening up to me. Focus on the positive aspects of your decision to take charge of your life and your health. Look at the before and after pictures in this forum to reafirm that you are making a wise and healthy decision. Picture yourself six, twelve, 18 months down the line...

Thank you for all of the words of encouragement.

:cheer2: Banster Boy Banster Boy GOOOOOOOO Banster Boy :cheer2:

Your own personal cheerleader. hehehehehe

My experience too was very smooth, little pain, nothing like what I had worried about!! The 2nd day after surgery, I flew home, 5 hours in the air, followed by another 5 hours by car. I managed all that with one dose of liquid tylenol. The next day I was shopping in Home Depot with DH. I was very careful getting up and down, in and out of bed, that was when I could feel the pull of the stitches.

My biggest issue was one that you will not face Kris, and that was dealing with my bra, and the weight on my new incisions. That was minor, and passed in days. I didn't have much gas pain. I fully realize I had an easy recovery, but I read about many having it this way. I was advised to eat light the night before, rather than having the proverbial last meal.....so maybe that helped with gas.

Good Luck to all of you...you have made a great decision. The band has been a blessing to me. I hope you all have smooth surgeries and easy recoveries. Soon you will be the ones giving advice, and welcoming the yet to be banded!!!

Kat

Hi frightenedman, Don't be afraid.It's been 2 weeks and 3 days and I feel great! I've lost 24 pounds since the beginning of the pre-op!! I was on the pre-op diet for 6 days before surgery.I had a very hard time waking up after surgery and they had to give me a breathing treatment so I'd begin to breathe deeper. That has happened before after surgery.

I was up and about soon and not very sore at all. Surgery was on Tuesday and I went back to work on Thursday for 1/2 day and all day Friday. I'm a teacher. I was very tired and slept all weekend but was ready to go on Monday morning. I even ate a little soft food on Sat. night. A small piece of soft fishstick. I was afraid but was soooo hungry. Then I cooked chili on Tuesday night and was dying for some. I blended it up but it still looked really thick so I decided to call the nutritionist. She told me to go ahead and eat it and go to the 3-4 week stage. YIPPEE!! Since then,I've gradually expanded my menu. I can only eat a few bites before I'm full. You'll be fine. The worst part for me was that my hip was sore from the way I laid on the OR table! Honestly! I took a couple of the pain pills and was fine.

You go for it and don't be afraid!

llewis

What a great bunch of Bandsters! I am always amazed at the quick and helpful way so many of you respond to others in need on this site. Thank you for sharing your post-op stories in such a positive way --- you have helped me and I am sure many others while you were encouraging Kris. I will be banded on Nov. 8 and you all have helped me stay "up" and excited about this experience. I just wanted to say a big "Thank you!"

Karen

What exactly are you afraid of...I'm getting it done on the 10th of November and I am afraid of nothing but dyin! Bring on the hair loss, bring on the pain just keep me alive. So to soothe my fears I went about doing my own mortality study and here's the facts: new lap band studies as reported by Bariatrics Today indicate that 3 of 16,000 died from Lap Band...all three were injuries to the stomach performed by surgeons who have done less than 20. Further, here's a great number 1 in 100 die of a hip replacement, more than 1 in a 100 die of hernia repair, 1 in 5000 die of simple liposuction! I'm saying this surgery has amazing odds! I'll be scared to death til the minute I'm put under, but I have faith that I'm coming out of it to a far better journey!

Thanks for all of your words.. it is encouraging for those of us who will be banded Very soon!! I am sooooooo glad you are ALL here!!!!!!!!!

It's only natural to be scared, nervous, excited, happy all rolled into one. You wouldn't be normal if you weren't. Just keep busy, try to make the day so full you don't have time to think about it. It will be over before you know it and you'll be in bandland! Good luck, and let us know how you did!

I am getting my band on Wednesday too! Don't worry you will be fine...try to think long term & stay positive.

I have faith that I'm coming out of it to a far better journey!

I love this quote! Thank you for the inspiration!