How long after surgery did you feel normal? (i.e. no aches or pains, energy, able to exercise like you did prior)

It took a few weeks for the pain from my incisions to really fade. From there it took another few weeks to really hit my stride. I didn't feel "normal" until I started eating regular foods again at about a month post op. I have found that if I don't eat at least 1000-1200 calories a day, I don't feel well in general, and a month after surgery is the time when I had worked back up to that amount. It's probably a little different for everyone though. Good luck with everything and congrats on your success so far

I was about 3-4 weeks post op

Can't wait...I'm 1 week post op. One month seems like forever, right now...lol! I'm looking forward to actually chewing...oddly, I miss that.

Recovery goes fast. Be patient and just rest, let your body heal and get used to your new silicone friend. I know that you miss chewing. I remember how heavenly it was to move from full liquids to mushies on day eight. I got to chew a six minute egg and grits! Oh! So sublime! Then it was mush, mush, mush until I had my first aftercare just a few days shy of a full month after my surgery date. By that point, I was literally BEGGING my NP to let me transition to solids. She laughed at me and gave me the go ahead, as long as I went slow.

Don't rush it. Remember, this month of healing is crucial for your band to settle in so that it can rock it's job. Hang in there.

Awesome...makes me feel better already :-). Grits sound sooo good, being a southern girl. I have to admit I'm so scared of food getting stuck. I had a moment yesterday when I took a couple sips of my protein shake..and I felt it get stuck...I was apparently too swollen for it, plus had a big gas bubble pushing against it. It was painful! After 20 minutes, it went down and the gas came out. I just drank water or clear juices for the next 12 hours. I can drink a shake fine today...I just can't imagine how horrible it must be to get actual solids stuck...I will be a chewing machine when that time comes!