Good evening "banders"!

I am new to this website, so be patient with me. I am scheduled to have my band surgery on October 2, 2007. I am so nervous! I don't know what to expect. My biggest question is what was the pain level right after surgery?

This is the first time I have ever had to go under the knife so, I am a little scared! I have been on my post-op diet going on two weeks now, and ready to DO THIS!! I am ready for my life to change! Just some support or advice would help! HELP! :help:

Nerviousness is normal.

Pain level differs for each - depends on your tolerance as well.

My best description is -- think of how you would feel after doing 1001 abdominal crunches! Or having someone stomp on your stomach. It is not really that bad overall.

They will give you pain medicine -- take it as needed. Your body will heal faster if it is not in distress -- so take as needed - being stubborn and resisting is not going to do any good!

I needed help the day of surgery getting up from a sitting position - but from there on I was able to manuevour on my own - except when I laid completely down -- that took 4 days.

Best wishes and congat's on your new journey.

I am new to this also, but the surgery went great. No pain really just a little discomfort for three days. Take the medicine but I only needed it once. I've had a c-section and was expecting a lot worse.

Everyone at the hospital knew exactly what to do and say to get you up and moving and enjoying the situation as much as possible.

I just had my surgery last thursday and it was also my first time under the knife. I was pretty nervous about it too, didn't know what to expect and such, but everything went very well!! It ended up not being as scary as I thought it would be, and the pain really hasn't been too bad.

I have to say, I'm so excited to see another person around my age having the surgery done! I'm still relatively new here, so I'm sure there are more of us that I haven't discovered yet.

But anyway...good luck with your surgery next week, I hope all goes well!

My biggest question is what was the pain level right after surgery?

This is one of those ask 10 people, get 10 different answers questions.

My band surgery was my first surgery. From reading here, I assumed I would have a fair amount of pain, in addition to gas pain.

When I woke up they asked me to rate my pain, 1 - 10. I honestly rated it as "about a half." They gave me some Lortab anyway. The only pain I really ever had was trying to sit down, stand up walk, having to sneeze, etc. While seated/at rest, I had no pain.

I never had the slightest hint of gas pain.

I had my second surgery a few weeks ago. Coming out of that one, I rated myself a 2 or 3. My side incisions were fairly uncomfortable. I also had gas pains off and on, situated in my collar bones. They lasted maybe 2 days, and hurt for maybe a total of 1 hour. Nothing to bat an eye at.

It is not fun forthe first couple of days, but it is manageable. Just don't try to be tough and not use the pain meds if you need them.

Ok you guys had an easy time. Right after surgery I was still on a morphine pump and in pain. This was my first surgery (other than tonsils and wisdom teeth) But it really hurt. I felt like an 18 wheeler ran over my stomach. But by day 4 I was just on acetaminafin for the pain.

-Leena

Good evening "banders"!

I am new to this website, so be patient with me. I am scheduled to have my band surgery on October 2, 2007. I am so nervous! I don't know what to expect. My biggest question is what was the pain level right after surgery?

This is the first time I have ever had to go under the knife so, I am a little scared! I have been on my post-op diet going on two weeks now, and ready to DO THIS!! I am ready for my life to change! Just some support or advice would help! HELP! :help:

OK, here's something to keep in mind:

Surgical incisions don't feel like stab wounds--they feel like deep-muscle bruises. Similar to a hard workout, or plowing into the sharp corner of the kitchen table. It does hurt, but your body treats it like the small wound it really is.

I was in some distress when I first woke up in recovery, but it was more from being disoriented than from pain. After about 10 minutes, I was awake enough to ask if I could sit up. I went home from the hospital two hours after surgery with NO pain meds in my system.

I've had SEVEN surgeries (not counting dental work). If I hadn't had the gas pains that evening, I wouldn't have needed any pain meds for this one.

I would say the surgery itself isn't that painful. But for me the gas has been painful. They put alot of carbon dioxide inside your abdomen to make your organs float so they can see better. The problem is you can't fart or burp this out ,your body reabsorbs it and it can take a while. the other thing is to find BEFORE your surgery is a good protein drink that you can tolerate. good luck and best wishes, dellakins

HI, How are you and Congrats. The lap band was my first surgry too. I had mine on a friday and was back to work that monday. I was just sore like i worked out for a month straight. The gas in my shoulders was ok. I just walked alot to get rid of the gas. I promise its not bad at all but again everyone is different. If i can do it anyone can, I'm such a big baby when it comes to pain.

I just got my band yesterday. I feel pretty good. Not much pain with the incisions. The pain in my neck is worse the way they had me on the or table. I was real nervous too but it was a lot easier than I thought.

Hello there. I just had my band on Sept 12th. The main thing I remember was the " NAUSEA " , from the anesthesia. I was dry heaving and just hoping the band would not slip. Pain is definitely a part of my memory. Actually, I was sore up until two days ago. The doctor should give you pain meds (for home ) Also, the band is not filled when it is first put in.

I get my 1st fill on the day of your surgery. LOL. Do not be tempted to cheat and eat solids , I was weak and cheated and it hurt like hell!! I guess that's it . Questions ?? e-mail me- selinarule@yahoo.com

Aloha

Well for me the pain was some where between having my toe nails clipped and talking to my Ex-wife. Ok I'll stop it isn't that bad. The incision's felt like a bee sting, I had been hitting the gym kinda hard pre-op and I think that helped a lot. The gas pain was the killer, if I didn't know what was going on I would have thought I was having a heart attack. I took liquid Tylenol and that really helped, on the second night I took the pain meds just so I could get some sleep I wasn't use to sleeping on my back, so I took the pain meds and lights out goodnight Mable...But other than that it wasn't bad. So good luck and you can do it, if this 50 year old cry baby can do it so can you.

Aloha

BWD

I have my surgery the day after you and the biggest thing that scares me is the general anaesthetic.

Good luck, I hope your surgery goes really well!!!

Hey lisa,

Welcome. I'm scheduled to be banded on the same day. I have been on a pre op diet, low carb and high Protein. Im not doing liquids until two days before. Pain is really individual but some folks can go back to work within days and other will take a week. I read stuff about port pain and most what sounds like gas pain. I think we will be ok..

Thanks you so much for the advice! I hope it will go very smooth!