So here I am finally on the other side. I am 3 days out from surgery and feeling good. A little sore but he'll I did just have surgery. The worst part has been the gas pain which I was warned about. I don't get it, why does the gas pain sit in your left shoulder? It is so bizarre. Liquids are going down well and I have no nausea at all. This still feels so surreal and I can't believe I have been given this opportunity to change my life. I am already down 20lb and it's amazing how much lighter I feel. I can even fit in the jeans that made me hit my breaking point because I was busting out of them. Good luck to everyone who is starting their journey and thank you to the ones who have shared their success. It is such a motivator in my life:)

Welcome to the other side. Things will improve for you very quickly. I was amazed how fast my body healed itself. I'm at day 13.

Great, I feel good too! I have not weigh myself yet but I feel some loss. I did not have the gas. I have been able to advance my diet to mash potatoes. I did great, but I got worried that I am moving to fast so I stop and went back to full liquids. Good luck, keep posting.

Samcat681 - CONGRATULATIONS! And the great news... it just gets better and better. Once that gas pain dissipates (isn't it awful?!) You will find yourself feeling better and better and better... and then when you incisions stop pulling and being so tender, you will really feel like a million bucks.

Follow your surgeon/nutritionist's diet plan, and be easy on yourself. solid food will be here again before you know it, so your body's job now is to heal and get used to this incredible life-change!

I was just banded on Dec 18th so I'm new to the "other side" too - loved your post, so positive! Keep posting!

Thanks my doctor told me to advance to full liquids and puddings. I tolerated everything very well but I just don't want to move too fast and get sick. So I will talk to my doctor this week. Thanks for the support.

Goodluck to you the shoulder pain surprised me, I have the added burden of having a dog, that now sits in my lap and constantly sniffs my incision site, I had my surgery Nov 21 and he still does it.

Yay for your new life!!! Tips from Bandland. Karate chops to your neck and shoulder. Ask a friend. Also walk walk walk. I had a treadmill and walked every day. Stay off the scale. It's normal to gain a small amount a couple weeks after surgery and it freaks you out. Weigh only at the doctor until your first fill, then weekly. Stay connected here and congratulations!!!

JustWatchMe, thanks for the tips. I think I will ask my husband for some of those karate chops to my neck and shoulder. I will try anything to get rid of this annoying gas pain. I have been walking on my treadmill daily as well. I also have to make the trek in the snow pulling a sled with my 3 yr old to go pick up my older one at school. That is lots of fun:)

Anyone else have a hard time getting in all your protein in the liquid stage? I feel all I do is drink shakes and water and there is no room left for soup or something that I would rather eat at this point. I can finally say I AM SICK OF SHAKES!

Congrats!! I was banded 10/2014 and if i never see a protein shake it will be too soon! Lol! And yes the gas pain is both weird and annoying! Lol! Walking helped me tons! Keep us posted!

Thanks for sharing your story. Definitely gave me some inspiration as I am now in pre-op stages. Best of luck to you!

Congrats! the left shoulder pain will get better. Mine "let go" on about 4th week. As explained by my doc with digram, your band is turned with access to port on left so when you eat it will push out and press on your diaphragm and that is also where lots of nerve endings are, therefore the pain.

The good news it will go away, had me on my knees. Sometimes get a mild pain now but happens less and less.

Hope you feel better!