I was banded 5/10. Your experience sounds exactly like mine. Same age, the hernia thing and of course the gas. I woke up in the recovery room and felt like I couldn't take a deep breath without extreme pain. Incisions? Oh, yeah ... that was no big deal. It took about 6 or 7 days until my gas pain went completely away. The doctor said 1-2 weeks so I was thrilled with only one week. It does get better every day though. Just do like they say, and it will eventually go away. Hope your job is not too physically demanding as I did have low energy for the first week. I am feeling at about 95% now and it has been 13 days. I don't regret it, but have had challenges (son's graduation dinner). Stay on the boards and learn. It really helps to know there are people that are going through the same thing. We can do it!