Pls compare Lap Band surgery with Gall Bladder surgery

[Dody 0]

This lady was 61 years old getting her gall bladder out and reveled at how easy it went and what a fast recovery it was. I must be one crusty old broad for sure. Now, if I come back whining about the lap band surgery remind me of this post

[Jill_S 1]

I had my gallbladder out in 91, the old fashioned way - 6 week recovery.

So the band was much easier

[S@ssen@ch 745]

I am confused................. Is it necessary to have your gall bladder taken out when you have had WLS? You are all making me very nervous.

Josephine

First, I want to reply to Josephine because I think this is important. Gall bladder disease, including stones has a direct correlation to obesity and weight loss. Obesity contributes to the problem and rapid weight loss can actually cause the stones. It has to do with the high fat diet of the obese and the fat that is in our bodies that we are now trying to shed.

Second, personally the surgeries were about the same for me. I took 2 weeks off for lap band and was really up and around just a few days after the surgery. I was sore, but I was moving and doing good other than the gas pain. As for the gall bladder surgery, my tummy and everything healed exactly the same as the lap band even though I had staples for the gall bladder but not the lap band. Even the gas pain was about the same. I was slower getting up and moving for the gall bladder, but that was not related to the gall bladder at all. They dislocated my artificial hip during the gall bladder surgery and so......I had other complications. Without the dislocated hip, I could have easily gone back to work within 2 weeks.

[rachele 0]

Gall Bladder was much worse! I had mine out when I was 25 and it was full of stones I guess as a result of yo/yo loss and gain.

[ForwardLeap 0]

Hi I had a hiatal hernia repaired at the same time, and I personally can not imagine having to sit at a desk for 8 hours a day. While I think I did really well, I could not wear my jeans as they placed the port where my waist band hits-and that hurt to have anything rub it or to bend.

I know some people do fine, I just am glad I did not have to go to work. If your Dr. will give you the 2 weeks off, I would take it.

You know your body, no need to put extra pressure on yourself. You also will need to make sure you get enough liquids---So I was running to the bathroom alot.

Good luck with your surgery!

[jst4kel 1]

I had lap. gallbladder removal Dec. 2005. My stomach was very sore for 6 or 7 days but had no outside sutures, just steri strips. My only uncomfortableness was going from sitting to standing and stretching my stomach.

I had lap band lap.4 days ago. Major issues with gas and bloat, but not so much stomach sorness from the incisions. I again have no outside sutures and just steri strips. The only thing holding me back from going to work now at 4 days is the bloat and gas pain.But it is much much better today than the past 3 days.

[MizPeppy 3]

I had my gallbladder out, then 3 weeks later had the lap band put in. I was in horrific pain from my gallbladder so when I woke up from surgery I felt so much better. My boss made me take 2 weeks off. The band was a little worse for me but it may have been because I had just had surgery. I'm a nurse in the hospital and we don't have CNAs on our floor so I took the whole two weeks off. That was enough for me although I was still a bit whiney. (however you spell it)

[VICKIP 1]

Everyone

I'm no stranger to surgery - had my gall bladder out, umbilical hernia repair, D&C, full open hysterectomy - I think I know what to expect after surgery.

However, for almost all of the above surgeries, I needed longer than the usual time to recover enough to go back to work. I'm a computer programmer so sit at a desk for 8-10 hours a day, bracketed by a 30-45 minute commute each way.

My gall bladder was a laprascopic surgery, and the surgeon told me I would be fine to go back after a week - I went back to work after that week, and had to come home at noon, then had to take the rest of the week off as vacation time because I was still recovering (and hadn't filed a disability claim). I was able to go back after TWO weeks with no problem. I did make a mistake in not filing a disability claim even though I was only supposed to be out for a week - I won't make that mistake again!

Similar thing with my hysterectomy - was told by surgeon 6 weeks, but when she saw me at 6 weeks to clear me to go back, it was obvious to her I needed more time to recover - ended up going back to work after 8 weeks. At least this time i had filed a disability claim, so extending the time wasn't a problem.

I've learned my lesson about the disability, and will be filing a claim for my lap band surgery. But once again, the surgeon is telling me i'll be fine to go back after a week. I've told her about my prior difficulties, and I think she will go along with me on saying that I need 2 weeks out of the office before going back (though I've only emailed her and haven't discussed this in person with her yet).

So my question to everyone is - how would you compare surgery and recovery for lap band to your gall bladder surgery and recovery? I'm expecting i'll need 2 weeks, the same as my gall bladder surgery.

Can those of you who have had BOTH surgeries please comment on your experiences?

Thanks for your help!!

I had both surgeries and I have to say they were equally as easy. With both gallbladder and lap band I was back to work in one week.

[Northwest_Nance 0]

I had my gallbladder removed laporoscopically when I was in my early 40's, and got my lapband on May 15th at the age of 55. For me, the two surgeries were very similar; each was simple and relatively pain-free (as much as any surgery can be) and recovery was fast.

[sadie11 2]

I had my gall bladder out a couple of years ago and it took 2 weeks to feel good and stop the pain meds.

My lap band took 2 weeks also. I worked from home the 2nd week but still got pretty tired. sleeping was hard because I like to sleep on my stomach. I took pain meds to help me stay asleep otherwise I woke up every time i moved. My partner had the same experience.

Take the 2 weeks off and enjoy the break!

Sadie

[ccm 0]

I suffered with gall bladder pain for years. It was "just pulled mussles" " lose some weight and you will be better" that is what I have been told by my Doctor. I went for an ultra sound just before my lap band surgery and low and behold gall stones. You would have thought countless trips to the ER, drugs, and pain, pain, pain for years someone would have said "lets check up your gall bladder"

But now to the topic, Gall bladder surgery way, way more painfull than the lapband surgery. Glad they are both done and over with.

cc