Will there come a day when I wake up and am completely pain/discomfort free? I mean, will I be able to "feel' the band for the rest of my life? Just curious...

I'm 4 years out and I still feel it everyday.

Pain - no. I dont feel pain except rarely when I'm about to pb due to eating too fast, too big of a bite, not chewing enough etc. That happens to me very rarely.

Momentary blocked discomfort feelings, every single meal really. But its just a bodily sensation that is now normal to me, it really doenst bother me except for occasionally when I might look at someone eating something without thought and think how much I would love to just eat with abandon occasionally. I can eat ANYTHING I choose to, but I cant do it without care.

I also would like not to feel a momentary pang of anxiety that something embarrassing will happen every time I eat with others. It actually never has in four years, but the possibility always exists.

Eating never goes back to "normal". But who would truly want that? I also never wake up without feeling joy to be thin and fit and no longer obese. The daily joys way outnumber the daily discomforts to me.

I guess it depends on how you mean that question. I do not feel anything any longer as far as physical pain from surgery but of course I am aware my band is still there. Everytime I open my mouth and put food in it, I am aware. Since I am now in the ranks of banders who have PB'd, it is something you don't forget and don't want to forget. But as far as actual physical pain no, it is gone. It does take a few months to go away though.

I remember those feeling as well. Now at 3 months I have no pain from the band. I would say it took me 8 weeks to be pain free. Sometimes when I am on my walk I feel a stitch where my port is. (left side of belly button). But I wake up feeling joy and relief that I did something to improve my health. Lost 30 lbs. and cholesterol has dropped 40 points.

After about six weeks I was feeling pretty normal. Up until my last fill I really couldn't feel my band at all.

I also never wake up without feeling joy to be thin and fit and no longer obese. The daily joys way outnumber the daily discomforts to me.

I agree with Jacqui -- I don't feel any pain at all with the band (even on the occasions when I slime or get stuck, it's not painful . . just a bit uncomfotable). I am definitely aware of it.

The thing she really nailed is that feeling you get in the morning -- when you wake up, stretch, and feel so good about your body! (And I mean this both from a fitness/health perspective and an aesthetic one!) It's a pleasure and a total joy. :tongue_smilie:

Catherine

i was banded 10/13/09. the first week was the worst. i didn't think the pain would ever stop. but now i am fine. once in a while i feel it where my port it and it gets a bit sore. but i am still pretty 'fresh', so i suppose that is to be expected. i haven't had a fill as of yet, so i don't feel the band. but the port yes. i can touch it through my skin and if my dog steps on it, now that can hurt. but over all i am please. looking forward to my first fill so i will have a sense of fullness. i don't get full right now. that is what frustrates me the most.

I was banded on 9/23. I don't feel it at all. I had 1 fill and have no restriction. Probably why I don't feel it at all. I get another fill on the 3rd and hopefully some restriction.

Greg

If your talking post-op, the pain does eventually go! 5 days out & I was wondering the same thing! I am in the medical field & really (thought) I knew what I was getting myself into. Ummm, I had no clue. My DH kindly ever so sweetly pointed out to me that I was much more of a wimp after this surgery than I was after BOTH of my C-sections! The laproscopic procedure hurts! That post-op gas! If not for the increased risk of infection, I ALMOST wished it was an open procedure!

3 weeks out & I feel like nothing ever happened! First fill comes next week. We'll see what happens then!

Already loving the new me!:biggrin:

Well, I have to say yes there will be a day when you are pain free. It took me about 8 weeks to get over all the pain and discomfort. Now at 4 months out, I'm feeling fine and normal for me. I don't think there's such a thing as getting back to "normal" because now you have a new normal. I hope that makes sense.

I rarely have any discomfort with my port anymore and never feel the band. I agree with everyone, when you wake up and realize what has happened you feel so amazing. I love being able to walk through the mall and do things with my husband that I've never been able to do. I'm so glad everyday that I had the lapband done. Now if you'd asked me that the first 2 weeks or so after the surgery I'd have said I was crazy to have it done. After you see the results, you'll be happy!

To me, we'll never be the same, just a new and improved version of our old selves. That's even better! :wink2: You just have to give yourself time and let it happen. I was just thinking today that I feel great and I love it!