C-Section vs. Lapband Surgery

[Mommie_of_4 0]

OK ladies!!! For those of you that have had a baby by C-section...which recovery was harder? The lapband incision recovery or the C-section recovery.

I've had 3 c-sections and was wondering how the recoveries compared to each other. I was up from my c-section pretty quickly, had gas and some pain, but the meds helped when needed.

Would love to hear from those of you who have been banded AND had a c-section!!

[gardengrl 0]

The Lap Band was SOOOOOO much easier than my c-section (and I really didn't have a hard time with that!). You'll be sore for at least a few days, but it's nothing like the pain you get with the c-section. You're still able to walk up and down stairs, get up and down (although if you let the pain meds wear off, it's much harder) and generally not get that searing pain just from turning. There def. is pain with the LB, but it gets better each day. If you've had 3 C-sections, this should be easy for you!! The worst pain is just from the gas and turning as your port incision is healing.

Good luck!!!!

[Mommie_of_4 0]

Thanks gardengrl!! Glad to hear that c-section recovery was harder. After 3 c-sections, I feel like the c-sect pro!!

[Shalee04 7]

Lap Band is nothing compared to a C-Section. :-D

[hopefulmom25 0]

Lap-band surgery is a breeze compared to a c-section.

I've had one c-section, and I remember how bad the recovery was. I had myself braced for the same kind of pain after the lap-band surgery, and boy was I pleasantly surprised!

[achauvin2 0]

I had three section in the last five years, and I thought the first 2 days after lapband were way worse than my sections. I actually had to tkae pain meds for the lapband.

[TDRinCHATT 1]

The cool thing about a c/s recovery is that you have a little person to enjoy it with. All those hormones raging and endorphines flying, help quell some of the physical pain. And, you have a job. You have this little one that loves you who expects that you will take care of him/her.

I found the recovery from the band to be more difficult for the first 2-3 days, but after that I was feeling great. So, more intense but doesn't last as long. And, there's none of that feeling "OMG, my guts are going to fall out" like with the section.

I did use the pillow pressure technique I learned with the c/s for my band recovery. Firm pressure on the port site especially when moving, laughing, etc.

The biggest difference that made the band recovery harder, is that you lay around all day, hurting and unable to eat. It's a bit shocking and somewhat depressing. Most people go through a stage when they say to themselves "what have I done?" I believe that this inactive period (physically and mentally) puts some of us in a negative frame of mind for recovery.

I would recommend to poeple to view recovery as if they did just have a baby. A baby band placed around their stomach and it's friend the baby port. TWINS! If we thought about recovery as a time to get to know our band and all it's new feelings. And a time to get up off our sendentary butts and take hold of our new lives. Maybe, just maybe we would hear more about good recoveries and less about people's difficulties.

As a caviat, I laid around in pain for 2 days miserable. My doctors RN thought I was abusing my Lortab, then I got thrush, Migraines and a productive cough that required an inhaler so I could breathe at night. I did not have a hunky dory recovery, but I went at it like I was an invalid. It took some time for me and my band to get aquainted.

I only wish I had been more positive during those days, but at least now I'm better and I feel great.

[Mommie_of_4 0]

Thanks to all that have replied!!

TDR - love the baby port view!! With 4 kids, I really don't have the option to be sedentary. I hope to do a lot of walking!

[SanDiegoPhotog 0]

I have had one c-section and my gallbladder removed laparoscopically and I found the band to be MUCH easier than both. However, I have heard that people who have had multiple c-sections to find them easier and easier each time because the nerves in your lower abdomen die after repeated incisions -- almost like they become numb to the pain. I don't know if this is true for everyone, or just some . . . but I would definitely say that my lap-band was WAY easier than my one and only c-section.

YMMV.

[AlysonRR 0]

My recovery after c-section was much more difficult than after lap-band. Post-lapband recovery was about the same as post-gallbladder removal for me.

I remember having pain from my c-section scar for at least a year after surgery. I still have the occasional stretchy feeling from my port, but no pain from any of the other incisions.

Good luck with your surgery!

[newhope4me 0]

I have had my appendix out as well as 3 c-sections. The lapband was a breeze. I got my band on Friday, went back to work on Monday, with no one the wiser (haven't told anyone at work).

Sneezing, coughing, those types of things, hurt the most. But all in all, it was an easy recovery.