Post Experience?

[dmu 0]

Hi. I'm seriously thinking about pursuing the lap band. I'd like to get some feedback on how you'd describe your recovery. How long did it take? How much time did you take off work? Was your recovery painful? In hindsight, would you make the same decision all over again.

Thanks so much for any feedback you can provide.

[juliegeraci 7]

Lapband surgery was easy for me. The only soreness I had was at the port site. My surgery was Tuesday and I was back to work on Monday. I have a desk job however. I did have some nauseau and he gave me a prescription for that. Other than that, following the post op diet is the most important. You have to have a resource to be able to stay on liquids, then mushies, etc. The surgery was easier then getting my tubes tied or having my gallbladder removed.

[GreenChrysalis 1]

Hi there. I had surgery on a Thursday and was back at my desk job on Tuesday. My port incision hurt the most, which makes sense, and I couldn't sleep on my side or bend certain ways at first. An icepack helped. I needed help getting up and out of bed for the first few days. Now it is still sore, but I am much more mobile. The recovery wasn't very painful at all. I had liquid Lortab and then I used liquid Tylenol when I felt I needed it.

I would say the gas pain/bloating was the worst part -- lots of walking, Gas X strips and sipping/eating slowly helped that too.

I am just a few days shy of three weeks post-op but so far, no regrets. I did have a moment of "what did I do to myself" when I ate something too quickly and bloated up, but that was my own fault. I have to learn how to live with the band now. :biggrin: Good luck with your decision!

[azchick 0]

I had my surgery on 2/19/08 and had only 1 day of gas pains in my shoulder and my port area was a little sore. I am already on regular food just have to measure and not overfill. Yes, I would do this again. Your health is everything. Good luck to you!

[grace65 0]

I was banded last Friday 2/29/08. I have had pain in my upper back but I attribute that to gas. I haven't taken much pain medicine except for a anti-inflammatory. The worst part for me has been no food. My life revolves around it. I love to cook, eat, snack... watch food tv. I have had to really perk myself up the last two days. I think the hard part is getting my head straight. So to answer your question, not much pain. I am out and about running errands but I do not work. If I did I don't think I would want to be at a desk all day today. But it has been 4 days and I feel good. Just trying to get through this stage of broth and Protein shakes. I did go to chicken noodle Soup and strain the noodles for a better tasting broth. Broth alone was starting to really gag me. I hope I made the right decision and in the next few weeks I will know for sure. Just thought it would be nice for you to have a new persons opinion. Makes me wonder how I will feel in 2, 3, 4 weeks, etc.

Banded 2/29/08

Dr. Felts in Texas

Lost 5 lbs preop diet, down 11 lbs total.:biggrin:

[msmonafly 0]

I was banded 2/29/08 by Dr. Gonzales in San Antonio, Tx. So far I think that this has been one of the best decisions that I have made in my life. I have loss weight and then gained it back so many time that I was just over it. I love to workout and can not wait until I can get back into the gym. As far as pain, I really did not have much, I have had gas worst than this so that was a breeze. Since I work in retail, I requested 2 weeks off, just to get to understand my body before I return to work. Since I am home I watch TV and I have noticed how many commericals are about fast food, then the next commerical is about the lapband WOW!!! Anyway, I would suggest working out before the band, that helped me a great deal with recovery. I reserached the lapband for years and finaly decided to go for it and I would do it all over again if I had too. Good Luck to and I hope that everything works out for you...PEACE

[LiseSeattle 0]

I've posted my full recovery details on my blog: Lise The Loser’s Weblog but to give you the lowdown, i'm on day 2 and i have a sore stomach. other than that, doing really well. i'll go back to work on monday...wouldn't suggest going back without taking around 4-5 days off to recover. Nice thing is that I'm able to work from home and that is working out great. Drinking a lot of liquids and that has not been a problem. Overall - best decision I have ever made!

[Hess 1]

I was done on 2/28. got an upper resp infection that sucked with all the coughing. 6 days out I'm down 25 lbs as of this am. one more week of liq

hess

[LiseSeattle 0]

WHAT!!! 6 days and 25 lbs..is that possible??? No way - that is unheard of. Wow - congrats. That is a miracle...!!!

I was done on 2/28. got an upper resp infection that sucked with all the coughing. 6 days out I'm down 25 lbs as of this am. one more week of liq

hess

[dmu 0]

Thank you all for all of your help. I have my first consultation scheduled for tomorrow morning.

[megheart7 0]

I am 21 years old and I had surgery 2 years ago. I did it over spring break and I was back at school the next week. I could have gone back sooner but it was nice having time off. The surgery was not bad at all. I was worried about it being worth it and not losing enough weight. But I lost 100 lbs and I am a horrible patient. I eat ice cream and whatever I want. I don't do the Protein Shakes or eat healthy like I'm supposed to. I don't recommend anyone else behaving badly though. My Dr. said I was the youngest of his most successful patients and he asked me to make a commercial! Now I wear a size 5 or 6! It's the best decision I ever made and I'd recommend it to anyone!!!