I have gotten so much out of reading other's posts about their experiences, so now that I am a bandster here is installment 1:

** Everyone's experiences will be different !! **

I was banded at 7am this morning, and now 15 hours later and still in the hospital I can say the experience is less of a wipe-out than vaginal childbirth (with epidural and a tear) of a 10 lb baby. There is pain and I have not been shy about asking for the medication. However, I could walk for about an hour - normal pace and slightly hunched over - which I never would have done so soon after having a baby. Walking definitely helps with the dull, aching pains I have in my back and neck. I can't sit up easily, or even sit down easily because of the wounds in the belly - need help with that. I've had some mild nausea and I am not hungry. I do feel kind of weak and if it weren't night would have a coffee to deal with my caffeine needs.

I'll post on the July bandseters thread in the future. Just wanted to introduce myself. I'm happy this isn't too hard and looking forward to my new life.

MM

I agree, banding is way easier than giving birth. Welcome to LBT . Now you can watch the pounds roll off!

Caffine irritates the stomch you are not suppose to have caffine for at leat 6 months after the surgery. Didn't your doctor tell you that. I have done very well giving up caffine as I lived on the stuff. If I can do it anyone can. I now drink lots of Water and crystal light and decaf coffee.

I am two weeks post band. Welcome to bandland. My experiance seems to have been the same as your having. The nurses laughed when Physical Threapy came to get me out of bed because I had been up and walking down the halls. It took about 4 days before the sitting up and lying down got better. I could not lie down in bed till day 5. That is when I was off all pain meds. Glad you had a good experience.

Banded 06/21/07

Dr Needleman, OSU Medical Center , Columbus ,Ohio

Congrats to you. My banding experience was pretty simple too. Good luck.