I had my GB removed 3 weeks after giving birth to my second child. The overnight stay in the hospital was a vacation compared to staying at home with a newborn! The pain from the GB surgery wasn't to bad...the incision pain is about the same. The difference really is how my insides feel. After GB, I had a real meal and conitnued drinking Diet Pepsi and Chick Fil A. Now, I'm healing just fine but my body is reacting differently b/c of what has happened to my insides and changing my diet. I hope that makes sense! I would honeslty say pain wise, they are both about the same. Just be prepared for the mental changes afterwards!