I am thinking about being banded.

[Guest Shayne]

This is a big step for me. I have been big my whole life. I just keep getting bigger and bigger. More and more health problems. I am very scared. What is the recovery time after the surgery? Is it really painful? Do people look down upon you because you had the surgery and didnt loose the weight on your own? What was your family and friends reactions. How long are you off work? Thanks for your input.

Shayne

[BandAid 3]

Shayne,

Recovery time varies. I felt better after about a week, with my 3rd post-op day being the worst. It wasn't awful, I was just sore.

My family has been incredibly supportive, even my mother-in-law. I was most concerned about telling her, but she was familiar with the band and quite pleased with my decision.

In general, I find people to be very supportive. People who think we are weak or lazy are the ones who are uninformed about obesity and I toss their opinions into the "clueless" file, which is where they belong.

Tonia

[Alexandra 55]

Hi Shayne,

One of the really cool things about banding vs. other types of WLS is that it's really easy to keep it to yourself if you want to. The surgery is relatively minor, and it shouldn't take more than a week for you to feel almost 100% recovered. It can easily be accomplished during a short vacation from work, for example. Personally, I took three days off--back at work on Monday after a Wednesday surgery.

As for people looking down on me, well, anyone who would hold such an opinion isn't worth my worrying about. My friends and family who know have all been supportive. Those I haven't told have no idea anything was done.

Like you, I have been big my whole life. The band presented my best hope for gaining control over what's so long controlled me. Justifying it to other people wasn't something I felt necessary.

[shellyj 5]

my dr has had patients go back to work the very next day. personnaly i dont see HOW!!! it wasnt that bad days 2-3 were the worse, but it was nothing the pain meds couldnt take care of!! things like getting in and out of bed were annoying in that you have to take it easy. looking back i really cant think of much that was just AWFUL. it is surgery so you have to expect that you'll be sore. i had mine on a monday and went back to work on friday. now i wont lie that first day back kicked my butt! i was pooped by the end of the day. i even worked through lunch so i didnt have to stay an extra hour! everyone is different!

as far as others reaction...i have been rather open in telling people. i find that i want to tell every overweight person i see about the lapband! lol! now SOME family members i didnt tell because i know them and i didnt want to hear their sh%t! and alexandra's right they havent even noticed.

i have read on other WLS boards where a lady had lost a total of 120 lbs and when people would ask her how much she had lost she would say 15 lbs even if she hadnt seen them in 5 months and had lost 40. when they asked her her total she would say 60 lbs. and no one ever questioned or doubted her. If you tell someone who has never been over 150 lbs that you have lost 150 then yeah they may look at you funny so just tell them a reasonable number to satisfy them... or tell them where to stick it!

my family has been very supportive. they all want me to be healthy and live a long happy life.

good luck shayne! keep us posted!