Hello, I can sympathize with your pain and worries. I had the lap band surgery done Nov. 7, 2007. In the beginning you lose weight because of the initial restriction of the empty band. For me Week's 8-12 were really slow and i also gain a few pounds. That's when I went back to my surgeon for my first "fill" or adjustment. The first fill lasted about six weeks and then I had it adjusted again. I haven't been adjusted since February 2008. So stay positive, the first 4 - 6 months is the toughest. Then it's a breeze. It might take a couple times to get the band filled to where it is needed, but it's all worth it. I still experience pain around my port and in my left shoulder after I've done heavy lifting and excersize, or if I've ate something that didn't agree with me. It's been a common thing for me and I've had to learn to cope with it. They say the shoulder pain is caused from pressure on your diaphram and it sends refered pain to the left shoulder. That's about the only answer I have for that pain. Good Luck:thumbup: