is it painful

 Great Job!.. long walk with family that soon...! it was  a month before I walked half that far...and I was cut from  xyphiid process to the pubic line...so it was painful, but  i also had a totaol of 10 procedures, they just took care of all my  hernias, bad gallbladder, cysts and fibroids in addition to banding, pouching re-routing and resection...     And yes I would have wls again.... sweetpotato

I thought it was worse than having my gall bladder out, yeah.  But it was not extremely painful.  It was uncomfortable but my pain was pretty well managed with medication.

I have had my gall bladder out as well. I thought the WLS was much more painful.

I will be honest - it's NOT pain-free. It's surgery. I had one c-section that was much better than RNY, one that was WAY WORSE than RNY. My gallbladder removal wasn't too bad.

But, here's what's important to remember - yes - you're going to have pain. BUT - it won't last forever. I took my pain meds only one time after leaving the hospital. I was uncomfortable (not pain) for about a week after leaving the hospital. Would I do it all again? ABSO-freaking-UTELY! I'm only 4 1/2 weeks post-op - and I feel better than I have my whole entire life - so was a little pain and uncomfortableness worth it - HECK YES!

Everyone experiences (surgical) pain differently. If it were me, I'd leave pain out of the equation - and just decide which surgery will help you the best. For me - I was 340lbs - and I'm only 5'4". My BMI was 58.4 - I was in heart failure at 34. As a single mom with three small boys - that was just unacceptable. The pain was worth it - I went to the park with my kids over the weekend - and I KEPT UP with them! I wanted to cry because I was so happy. Pain is temporary. The rewards of either surgery are much more permanent. Don't let pain be a deterrant for you.

Hope this helps - just my two cents!

~Karen

Your post was awesome I almost cried ........what you described is exactly what I want to do

Thank you. I've still got a LONG way to go. But being able to run, chase, and get down and really get rough with my little guys has, by far, made this the best decision I've ever made!

We'll get where we want to go! We just have to stick to the plan and hang in there! 

~Karen

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I have to disagree with this statement. Its something you need to discuss with your Dr. My Dr wouldn't do LapBand on me b/c I have a history of acid reflux and LapBand makes it worse. I was doing real well after surgery for about a week; then my rightside starting hurting really bad. After a couple weeks, my Dr gave me a shot to that area. That helped lots and was finally able to lay on my left side. Everyone says you won't regret having WLS surgery. Best wishes. Barbara

**The choice between the LapBand and RNY is purely yours.**
Oops I was trying to quote Ashley. Sorry, Barbara

 I am having open because of an old big scar from gallbladder.I would rather take it laproscopic but I firgure Dr. knows best..

I had my gallbladder out at the same time as my RnY so I don't know if one hurts more than the other, lol.  But yeah.  It hurts.

Sure was worth it though.  Kinda like having babies.  The pain fades but the joy and gratitude remains full strength.   =)