Banded on the 15th..and I'm in SO much PAIN

[NP1978 0]

Hey everyone!

I was banded on the 15th, and I'm still feeling so much pain, especially in my port site! I can't laugh, cough and barely sit up without feeling immense pain...and don't even get me started on my back pain! I've been taking my pain killers as directed...but is there anything else I can do? I am supposed to go back to work on Monday, but I don't know if I will be able to. Anybody else experience similar pains?

[Kele_Kana 0]

YES! It's been 5 days for me and today's the second day I've been able to get out of bed and stand on my own. I went into the surgery with a cough, and coming out was well....BAD. I was told to use a pillow up against my belly as a "splint" to help ease the pain when I cough. It still hurts, but not nearly as it would w/o it. Laughing was out of the question for me, and I'm all about laughter. Sometimes when I'm just laying down I'll place the pillow on my tummy and kinda rest my arms on it. I gave up on the meds on day 2...the taste just wasn't worth what little help it offered; and I mean LITTLE. Also, I find it amazing when the banded are back to work w/in two days. I bet it's less often than not. When asked, my doc said he's seen people feel great w/in 2 days, some w/in 3 weeks. I think by Monday you'll feel much better. I definitely won't be back to work after week one, tho...but my job's pretty physically demanding.

It'll subside...promise. Each day will be better than the last.

[make33 2]

Hi there--I was banded on Tuesday the 9th, and I won't be going back to work until the 29th!

I see bandsters here that say they went back to work in four days (one guy even said he went back to work the NEXT DAY--must've been a boss!) but there is no way I felt like I could have, even with my desk job! (One girl even said she felt so great on the 5th day she had her nails done)

Comparatively, this past Monday (the day you'll go back to work) was the first day I put on clothes to go to the surgeon to have my staples removed--my husband drove and the 50-minute ride was uncomfortable.

Now on this the 9th day post op, I'm just sore but getting better every day--and headed out for a perm --PTL!

I'm not a wimp by any means--I worked out four days a week up until surgery--but perhaps each body takes the surgery differently.

My very best to both of you--this is just fleeting, the change is permanent!

[babs0101 1]

I did go back to work within a few days. Surgery was on Friday and I was at my desk plugging away on Tuesday AM. But each of us are different, and I'm not saying I was not uncomfortable. I was. I was tender and sore especially in the port area. At night I put a heating pad on my belly and on my shoulder to help with the gas pain. Also walk. Walk, and walk some more. You will be surprised how much gas you will pass and how much better you will feel. I still have to do it because I still get bad gas pain.

Hang in there, you can do this!

[::Lori:: 0]

I was banded on the Tuesday the 9th... and went back to work today.. 10/17.. and felt great. If you had asked me the first 4 days, I would have thought it wasn't possible.. But each day just was better and better. I went back to the Doctor for my post op check up and he said start working out.....And that is after one week!

Good luck to you all...

[garfield461 25]

I know exactly what you mean, I was on here and seeing all these people talk about going back to work within just a few days and I couldn't even walk from my house to the car without being in a lot of pain. I thought something was wrong or that it would never stop, then after one week exactly it starting feeling better and I was able to walk a little farther without a burning, tugging type pain and it got better everyday. Hang in there it will end and after awhile you won't feel like you had anything done at all. Try not to do too much and rest as much as possible.

[Daisalana 33]

I was banded 4/16/07.. But I thought it would not be too much pain.. and so when I was in horrible pain, I was very surprised. I thought maybe my doctor was playing with my body while I was asleep LOL!

I did NOT take pain meds as directed, and hurt myself worse by pulling a muscle.

So please please make sure you take your meds! The pain DOES get better with each day. Just make sure you take it easy for now. And when you do go back to work, don't be surprised if you feel weak and tired. You did just have an operation! I promise it goes away soon

[MizPeppy 3]

I was very uncomfortable for 9 days. I could not have gone back to work. I had my gallbladder out 3 weeks before banding and I felt better within 2 days so I was expecting the same with the band. I couldn't believe how much worse it was. Now I'm 13 days out and feel great, but when I do a lot of yardwork I have incredible pain at my port site.

[ESPI 0]

OMG I did not know so much pain would be involved. I was told it was just a min feeling

[NP1978 0]

Thanks everyone for the replies! I guess I was being overly optimistic and I would be one of the lucky people who felt no pain immediately after surgery. As it has only been 4 days after surgery, i should just try to rest and walk as much as I can. The pain is definitly better since Monday, but I do have to pick up my stomach when I walk to make it more comfortable. I really hope I'm not doing that when I go back to work!

[ms.diva 0]

Wow, I got banded on Tuesday Oct 16th, and I did not expect this much pain either. Today, I'm much better but I had a hernia removed in addition to my lapband so it was a big struggle. I had no desire to get up and walk but apparently that's the only way to get the FREAKING gas out. Men, I also had no appeite. I am just now starting to drink my fluids....God give me the grace.....PLEASE!!!

[lauren0728 0]

Hey guys hang in there. I got banded on a thursday and went back to school and work on that following monday. i was a bit under the weather but could deal with it. By tuesday i was great. I get better everyday. I still do take tylenol PM to sleep tho!

[Wishes4444 2]

Well I am glad I saw this post. I am getting banded Nov 6th. and everyone keeps acting like its all roses. I would rather know whats coming then to be surprised. I was told to get gas-x and benifiber. I am being banded on a tuesday and was hoping to go back to work the Wed of the following week...maybe not lol.

I hope you are all feeling well real soon!

Best Wishes

[VegasGrace 1]

Luckily I'm no stranger to pain... babies, gall stones and removal, and some nip tuck.... the band was a breeze compared to those.

But each person has a different pain tolerance, and some docs may traumatize the area more than others.

Just grit the teeth and know ... one day soon... the pain will subside, the weight will start to come off...then it will be worth it.

[Topdownbug 0]

I agree. I'm only two days out from my surgery and I'm feeling fine. Other than being tired and frustrated trying to get all this Protein and liquid in me, I'm pretty much back to normal. BUT... remember we're all different and while this part might be easier for me, I may not do so well with another phase of this.

I guess the best thing is to expect the worst, hope for the best and whatever it is .. it is. And as someone said, eventually all the pain will be gone. I hope it is gone soon for you !!

Judy