So far my experience has been positive. I have all of the worries about what this is "supposed" to feel like, and afraid I might be missing something because I'm not used to it yet. My main questions are: Is it normal to feel hungry? I am following my post-op diet 100% (I'm now on full-liquids this week), and I do feel hungry. I know I don't have a fill yet, but I was expecting to feel some restriction.

How long does the pain around the port site last? Mine is feeling much better, but it's still sore. I think I'm just starting to get used to it.

I would love to hear other people's experiences. I know everyone's "normal" is different, but it would be nice to "feel" normal and not worried!

I have been banded since the 7th of November. Still on the liquid diet and feel quite satisfied most of the time. The first week or two I think I was hungry because it is just not normal to eat so little. Now that my body has adjusted my protien shakes are pleny and I also am doing 1 hr of cardio 5 days a week. My port site is feeling much better this week. It still has slight swelling depending on how much activity I am doing but just about back to normal. If you have anymore concerns just ask it is normal to wonder about something new to your body.

I am three days post band. Lot of pain, but today seems to be the best so far. Hungry but don't care a times. I feel dehydrated so I am focusing on water more than food. Sometimes I have to choose between the two.

By your 4th day you will feel better, not 100% but better. I was tired the 1st couple of weeks, just rest when you need to, don't over due, keep up with the protien and hang in there it does get better. A pillow on your stomach makes getting up and down better also bumps in the car.

I, too, was banded on 11/19/07. Tomorrow will be two weeks exactly. I feel great, have lost 43 pounds ( since the pre-surgery diet begiinning in October) and no longer have any pain. ( The WORST pain was in my left shoulder--it lasted for a week!) No more blood pressure meds, and my arthritic left knee is sooooo much better.

This has got to be the best thing I've ever done for myself! I feel so much more focused and capable of success.

And it will be the first Holiday Season in my life that I don't gain weight!! That, in itself, is a feat.

I am two days out. Surgery was on 11/30/07. I am still real sore and trying to make sure that I am OK. I'm not even sure which incision is the port site. Is that the largest incision?

Yes, the port site is the largest incision. I was banded on November 19th, and it took about a week and a half for the gas pains in my shoulder to go away, but using the heating pad and getting up and walking around for short periods of time as often as possible REALLY helped. It also took about 6 to 7 days before the tightness in my stomach went away for the most part (which is dead on for what the doctor said, he told me I would feel better Saturday and my operation was on Monday), but I again found that getting up and moving around as much as possible REALLY helped that dwindle away as the days went on.

As far as sitting comfortably, I usually carried a pillow around with me when home to help support my back and allow me to sit more comfortably. Also, when going anywhere in the car, I brought one pillow for behind my back, and one to keep pressed to my stomach for the trip so that things wouldn't get jostled around too much on bumpy roads!

Good luck with the coming days and I hope you start feeling much better soon!

Why the pain in the shoulders????

Lisamarie -

I am not banded yet, but after many surgeries, my guess would be that the shoulder pain is gas. The Dr. uses a gas during the surgery and it gets trapped in your system. I am not a nurse or doctor, so I can't tell you why it ends up in your shoulder, but it does.

Hope that helps - that is all I can tell you.

I was so hungry at first, the I got sick! My doc told me that I could have a little bit more liquid, and that did the trick. Talk to your doc--you may need to adjust the amount to find what's right for you. Once you start eating solids, it get so much easier! Down 71 in 14 weeks! You can do it too!

hey there i had my band a day after your and i am feeling good

been up and about getting back on my feet and getting walking

i am new to this site ,i live in London,UK and just want to hook up

with other who have had the Lapband done .

really good site

xR