Newly Banded : Scared and in pain

[purple3797 5]

I am newly banded as of yesterday and I also had a repaired hiatal hernia which was a surprise to me. I spent the night in the hospital and came home today in much more pain then I expected. I am also scared of swallowing my pains b/c I cut in in fourths and a piece felt like it got stuck and tastes gross. I am also afraid of drinking too much and making myself vomit. So anyway I am hoping this gets better and my aprehensions go away. I read so many storied on here that the surgery was not that bad..I hope I feel better soon! Congrats to all the 15th banders!

[Princess_Gottalose 1]

I am curious to why you have pills... I went home on loratab liquid pain medicine.. I also had a heital hernia. There was a good 3 days i just didnt do anything because i felt bad and my pain meds made me sleep. They also sent me home with little medicine cups.. For the first day or so i had to drink at least one medicine cup of Fluid every hour so it didnt feel like i was over drinking those first few days... Hope this was helpful to you! any questions just ask!

[purple3797 5]

I was curious about the pills also and i called the unit and they said just to cut them in half. I may call the surgeons office tomorrow just to make sure. I also was given medicine cups but have been doing pretty well with liquids. I drank a whole Protein Shake over a long period of time. I guess it may be the repaired hernia that makes it so painful. So I hope I am like you and in 3 days feeling better.

[Humming Bird 275]

I also had hiatial hernia repair. I don't know if it was more painful because I don't have regular lapband surgery to compare it to. Your pain meds should have been in liquid form. I had liquid vicodin. I only took it the first night and then remembered how much I hate vicodin. It gives me the worst headache of my life. I had my husband go get me some liquid tylenol. You can also take a double dose of Jr. strength liquid ibuprophen. You may be almost past the worst part of the pain at this point. They do have adult strength liquid tylenol.

Sipping ice cold liquids will help the swelling go down faster. I also found that keeping an ice pack on my stomach longer than they told me to helped quite a bit.

Hang in there.

[Melissannde 41]

Please check with your doctor before taking liquid ibuprofen. Some doctors do not want their banded patients taking NSAIDS (non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs). Ibuprofen (motrin) , aleve and aspirin are all nsaids.

[kcredhead 0]

Hang in there. I also had a hernia repair and that for me was more painful than the LAP band surgery itself. I got alot of air bubbles that I wasn't used to before and that what most of my internal pain. I would definately check on getting a prescription pain med that is liquid. Mine tasted nasty but was a life saver for the first few days. Good luck and try to take things slow.

[FinallyFree0812 9]

My doctor also sent me home with liquid lortab. My recovery was slow and painful and I did not have a hernia repair. HOWEVER.......it does get better! Keep talking to people on here and ask any questions.....you will get answers!

[purple3797 5]

i have been crushing the tablets and taking them and they seem to help a little. I slept for 2-4 hour stents last night so that was good. It is so sore where my port incision is..to the point where bending is excrutiating. Iam still walking and trying to get out the gas. I also gained 10 pounds since being int he hospital..funny 10 pounds on ice chips and apple juice LOL but I know it is from the iv fluids. I guess I just expected a less painful time......oh well this too shall pass I hope. I just do not want to regret my decision like right now I feel like I am and my family is looking at my like why did you do this to yourself?

[gingerjane 5]

I would call to see if you can get the liquid lortab. That is what they sent me home with and it was a lot easier than trying to figure out how to swallow a pill - especially with the swelling.

It will get better. Trust me. Just try to rest, keep your Water flowing (little sips) and get some sleep. The best time for your body to repair itself is while sleeping.

[LadyOhioCO 0]

I was lucky and didn't have a hernia. My pharmacy said they couldn't get in the liquid loratab. I live in a very small town,so asked my doc if I could use leftover hydrocodone from a past surgery. He said to cut them in half. I had no problems with this. They also gave me two tablets in recovery. As long as they are smaller than an M&M. Last night I started getting nausiated with dry heaves. I forced myself to sleep, but woke up dry heaving again. I haven't taken meds since yesterday afternoon, so I know nothing is stuck. Any advice?? Congrant 15th banders.

[lawismylife 41]

I was banded 11-16-10 and I also had a surprise hernia repair. My doc also sent me home with percocet pills and told me to snap them in half. I used a pill crusher to dissolve them in some crystal light and it wasn't too terrible to get down in a shot glass.

I was in a lot of pain the day after surgery, but I think it was gas. After reading some posts here online, I took 2 gas-X pills last night that are really small, and woke up today a much better person! It turned out to be tremendous gas pain. I also have an On-Q pain system, so that might have finally kicked in too. I feel like I will be able to walk around today.

Hang in there!

[Mjv013 67]

I had the hernia fixed too. I didnt take any pain meds. I didnt even fill my perscription. It wasnt as painful as I thought it would be but more painful then everyone told me. If that makes since. After about 3 days I could move around pretty normally. Just slow. If you are concerned call your Dr. They seem more then happy to answer any questions.