I guess there are many people who are looking to get this surgery, and reading other peoples blogs helped me make my decision to get the surgery. So I hope my information helps somebody in the same way. So I'm putting all the details I can remember, sorry if its too long.

I woke up 6am to get a shower in, pack my bag, get my baby's stuff packed up, as hubby and 2yr old were coming to the hospital with me. (I felt later how crazy I was for taking him, but we didnt really have anyone else to take care of him, and I felt like I needed my husband. And we had a private room)

We arrived before 8, and I got changed. Next, they did the laproscopy? The camera down your throat. I was fully awake, I could feel that, I was gagging, and they held me down. I was so shocked, I didnt expect that at all. The whole process was over in 45 seconds, BUT it scared the %$ out of me!!

I said goodbye to baby and hubby, and went to the surgery room. I laid down, and I remember hearing them talk in Korean, but soon I was asleep.

I have no idea about time, I was totally out of it after surgery. I had barely slept the night before, I have 2 year old who likes to wake up in the night. All I wanted to do was sleep. I remember waking up in the recovery room and them asking me to walk to my room. Somehow I did. I was in and out of sleep after that. I told them I was so hungry it hurt, not sure if it was true, but it felt like it. My baby was knocking things over, crying to be with me, and didnt understand why I wasnt paying attention to him. I asked my husband to take baby and do something else for the day, since I wanted to sleep.

They asked me if I wanted pain medication, and I said yes please!! I fell asleep and woke up many times, it felt like I had slept ages, but I checked my phone and it had been only an hour. So I slept more. I woke up suddenly with uncontrollable gagging. Nothing ever came up, nothing in my stomach, but it hurt like hell, and I wanted it to stop so badly. This happened until I fell asleep sitting up.

The girl who had her surgery after me, left at 3pm. I felt stupid and weak, but with more dry gagging, I couldnt give a shit. I got more pain relief, and went to bed for the night. I havent gagged since the first day.

In the morning, I was ready to go home. My doc put me under the xray to show me my band and port. it looked normal, but strange to see inside myself.

All my body was hurting from gas. The car ride home was torture, every bump hurt. It wasnt my wounds, but my body, from the gas. Shoulder?? I still dont understand why my shoulder would hurt, but it did, all my insides hurt.

The doctors told me to walk, so I walked around the shopping center buying some band friendly foods for the next few days. But after that I could barely move, I hurt so bad in every position. Until... I farted. TMI, but the truth is, the next few hours my life got better with every fart. I couldnt burp even though I knew I wanted to. I feel more myself today, day 3. I woke up with another few good farts. I think I have one or two more to go, and then I'll be gass free.

I'm scared to eat. I mean, that dry gagging was horrible. I dont want to do it again. EVER. I've had corn soup, apple juice, water, drinking yogurt, and my mashed up medicine in water. I dont feel hungry, but I've tried to drink something every few hours.

I can sleep on both sides and my back. my port is directly above my belly button. It feels itchy, so I'm doing my best not to scratch. im still wearing my belly brace because it feels good. When I took it off to show my hubby the incisions (4) I felt like my guts were falling out. So the brace was back on pretty quickly.

I'm scared for my fill next week. I hate needles. Do I need to have a fill so fast? I havent felt any restriction yet, but thats because I havent eaten any foods. And when I'm drinking liquids, I always stop myself from drinking too much because I'm scared I'll hurt myself. I hope I can find out my limits soon. I asked my doc about the fill, he said i have a 10 cc band, and its standard for him to put 3ccs for the first fill, because I dont have any restriction yet. Could I be healed enough to get a fill?? worried.

The first 2 days, I kept asking myself, am I crazy?? What was I thinking?? Today, I'm feeling better and I know I can make it work once I'm 100%. I was so down at the start because of the pain and gas, even last night I was too negative, but now it's going away, I feel like it will be okay soon.

Thank you so much for your story. It definitely gives me something to think about and what to look forward to in the future.

Amanda, fabulous story, similar to mine, except I had a snow storm which kept me there. After my surgery I went back two weeks later for my fill, received two cc's, and then my second fill was suppose to be at two weeks but I made it three weeks. Now with 4 cc's in my 11 cc band I am going again next week for my third fill. I am on soups this week because my weight has lingered at one setting for three days now. I guess that means it's time for another fill. I have been exercising on the stationary bike and watching what I eat but this week I will try extra. the symptions you had after your surgery was normal for I think, I felt the same. I had my wife there too so we stayed in the same room. I walked mostly and sat up most of the time too. When I got home I took my support off. My areas four of them where the incisions were itched too. They were covered with bandaids so I kinda finger scratched around them, after all I had to shave my belly, haha, it itched like hell too all over. Basically when I could eat solids, I went to tuna fish, tuna salad, and crackers (kits at store) and small cans of pork and beans. I even cooked 15 bean soup beans with hamhocks and made several dishes for dinner's. Last week I had mash potatoes, and mac and cheese and a meat-chicken or fish or beef for dinner. Small sizes like 2.5 oz meat, 1/2 cup veggies. Very filling. I also bought some sugarless popsicles and jellor/pudding-everyonce in a while I have one when I crave between meals. I try to eat every 4.5 hours. Morning's are two eggs and cheese-omelet or small pack of oatmeal. Oh don't worry about the needles for the injections, you barely feel them, really. I watched the doc closely when he prepared mine and I had serious thoughts too, but nothing was felt when he injected me.

Well looks like they are giving you 3 cc's so be sure you can drink water before you leave the facility. Water is important. Good luck. You will look great in one year or less. ken

Thanks for your story. I know everyones experience is different and everyones doctor tells you something different. Your story is a lot different than mine. It seems like you were in a lot more pain and had a much worse experience than I did. (I was banded 2/4/10) I went into the surgery center at 6 and was on my way home at 10:30. I felt fine on the way home and the next day. The day after that I had quite a bit of shoulder pain from the gas and walking and burping and farting felt GREAT!!! But all my insides did not hurt like you were describing and them putting the camera down your throat when you were awake.....WTF??? That would scare the crap out of me too. I did go to the best surgery center in the state so everything and everyone was very nice and professional. To tell you the truth some of the things you described left me with my mouth wide open! My surgeon doesent want me to have any fills until 4 weeks and then wait until at least 4 more weeks. Your fill schedule seems awfully quick. I dont think your swelling has gone down enough to have a fill yet. Once you do eat you will feel restriction, mine is just like a pressure. Anyway, I am glad your feeling better and I wish you all the luck in the world I just thought I would tell you what happend to me compared to your story and like I said I am not a doc its just my 2 cents!