Okay stupid question here...but one that has been on my mind. Does the first swallow after you have the band hurt? I dont mean the soreness after having the breathing tube but when it goes through the opening to the stomach. Gosh I hope that makes sense. Can anyone answer this question for me? Thanks

It doesn't hurt. You'll wake up so thirsty that you won't even notice anything in your stomach. Well, other than feeling like you've been kicked in the stomach by a linebacker. I mean, you'll be sore, but it won't hurt to swallow.

Thanks Travelgirl. I am prepared for the post op pain from surgery...have had many so I a pretty ready for that but was unsure of the swallow thing. I guess I am just getting nervous because its so close....Thanks again.

Do you have an overnight stay, or are you outpatient? I was outpatient, and since I live an hour away from the surgical center, they put me up (on their dime) at the hotel across the parking lot from there, so that I'd be close in case anything happened (it didn't), or in case I had any questions. (I didn't)

Have you checked out some of the threads on what you'll need post-op, and are you prepared for when you come home??

I'm so excited for you!!! The last week before my surgery went SO fast, and at the same time, it DRAGGED on and on.... Hard to explain.

If you have any other questions, ask away!

Didn't hurt me at all. I asked for ice chips so didn't really swallow any water. Then they made me drink a dose of painkiller. Didn't feel a thing.

I tell you, they gave me an Otter Pop at the hospital when I woke up and it was the BEST popsicle of my life! I was thirsty but I had no difficulty swallowing. Best of luck!

I am also freaked out about swallowing. My Doc is going to have me drink the white chalk crap from the upper GI a few hours after the op. And i got to tell you I have a hard time drinking that crap before I had anything around my stomach. I think I am going to have a hard after the op anyone have any problems with that stuff?

OK, I'm two years post-surgery here, but I do remember that I was still loopy enough from the anesthesia that I didn't even notice the white chalky stuff. I just wanted to go to my room and go to sleep.

My throat was very sore so the water felt so good!

the first drink i got to take after surgery was when they take you back and x-ray your band while you drink some kind of barriatric solution. It tasted horrible, but there was no pain at all.

Best of luck