I am curious, how painful is the vertical sleeve surgery? I had my gallbladder removed laparoscopically 5 years ago. That's the only major surgery I've had. I've read that the VSG surgery complication rate is similar to gallbladder removal surgery, but I don't know how the pain compares. I am pain med resistant and had a lot of pain the 2 weeks following my gallbladder removal. I assume the VSG surgery is more painful because they are removing a larger portion of your body, and the recovery is probably harder and longer with your stomach healing while being in use. This won't deter me. I was miserable with pain after my gallbladder removal, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat knowing how much better I feel. I just want to be prepared. If anyone has had their gallbladder removed, and the VSG please tell me how the surgeries compare.

Man.....medical experiences are just too different to tell much.

I had my gallbladder out ages ago. Did it laparoscopically, outpatient. Had surgery at 8am and was home on the couch eating a Subway turkey sandwich at 1pm. Almost no pain, felt great, piece of cake. No pain meds after. Back to work in three days.

My sleeve surgery was a breeze, too. Was up walking the halls within hours of my surgery. Walked literally miles the same day as surgery...slowly and carefully...but it made me feel better, so I kept walking. Asked for as few pain meds as they'd allow. (I think I had a shot of narcotics in recovery, and another one before bed...but I opted out of a LOT of pain meds that were offered because I simple felt comfortable and wanted to poop someday)

Went home the next day. Never did any pain meds except regular Tylenol for a few days.

Different people have such different experience.

I will say my C-section was much worse than sleeve. That one slowed me up for a few days.

Edited June 23, 20188 yr by Creekimp13

Tip: if you get the option of taking Emend (an anti-nausea drug that costs about a hundred bucks for the one pill you take)...it's worth every penny. I had no nausea. None at all. Emend is usually used for people taking chemotherapy. It's AMAZING at controlling nausea.

I am 2 days post op and have had very little pain. I only took the narcotics on day 1 because I was having horrible back pain from the position I was in during surgery. I came home today and took one dose of Tylenol for some mild pain this afternoon. I didn’t have any gas pain either. I’ve eaten tiny quantities of soft foods today without issue.