Am I supposed to be in this much pain?

[imtoxic 0]

I'm only 1 day post-surgery and I had been feeling fine until this morning. I was released last night at 8pm. I haven't had any pain killers because it's all in pill form and drinking the crushed stuff causes me to cough and gag, when that happens, the pain is pretty bad. I did feel fine all night. I woke up this morning feeling okay but when I tried to move, it was excruciating. Getting out of bed took an insane amount of energy and even when I try to sit down, it hurts so bad. 2 of my incisions are seeping out a little blood. It's not constant, but I don't know if it's normal. I did call my surgeon but he isn't in yet. I was wondering if any of you have felt this bad right after surgery. Also, the pain is only coming from 2 incisions on my left side. Any info and/or opinions are appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[erink58 8]

Hi there, sorry to hear about all your pain. I have not had my surgery yet, but from reading these posts, I am planing to ask my surgeon to prescribe liquid pain meds (I think they do this anyway). Could you call your doctor and ask for him to phone in liquid pain meds to your local pharmacy? Also, some liiquid tylenol should also be on hand if you need it later. Good luck, hope you feel better soon.

[reverie 49]

I'm only 1 day post-surgery and I had been feeling fine until this morning. I was released last night at 8pm. I haven't had any pain killers because it's all in pill form and drinking the crushed stuff causes me to cough and gag, when that happens, the pain is pretty bad. I did feel fine all night. I woke up this morning feeling okay but when I tried to move, it was excruciating. Getting out of bed took an insane amount of energy and even when I try to sit down, it hurts so bad. 2 of my incisions are seeping out a little blood. It's not constant, but I don't know if it's normal. I did call my surgeon but he isn't in yet. I was wondering if any of you have felt this bad right after surgery. Also, the pain is only coming from 2 incisions on my left side. Any info and/or opinions are appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Normal. Any reason you're crushing your pills? As long as they aren't huge they will go down fine. If worse comes to worse call your doctor and ask for liquid form pain meds. Getting in and out of bed, sitting down, and moving in general will hurt, especially the first day post-op. It gets better about a week out. For now try to take your pain meds BEFORE you're in pain. If you have plans to get up and move around, take your pain meds a little bit before you do. This way you'll have the meds in you and ready to kick in.

Bleeding is normal and as long as it isn't continuous I think you'll be okay. Rest and try to relax as much as possible. If you can have someone help you get in and out of bed and to move around.

Good luck and hope you feel better soon.

[vickyd 24]

It is very normal to be sore for a while after surgery. You need to call your surgeon and request liquid pain meds. If they won't call in a prescription for you (although I would be shocked if they wont) you can also try OTC liquid pain meds - Liquid Tylenol was recalled but CVS has a store brand that works well. Also, try using a heating pad on your stomach off and on throughout the day. That really helped me with the muscular pain. A little seepage from your incisions is normal...I wouldn't worry about that unless it gets a lot worse.

Rest as much as you can, don't forget to sip on fluids throughout the day and walk around as much as you feel up to (it will help with the post-surgery gas)...I hope you feel better soon!

[imtoxic 0]

Thank you all. I've been trying to walk around. My surgeon did call in a liquid Tylenol with Codeine. That doesn't seem to help much. The walking does help a little with gas. I don't know if it's to early to tell, but I think 2 of my incisions may be infected. They're very red and somewhat swollen. The other incisions look fine and don't hurt. I don't know if waiting it out is something I should do. Maybe I'm just being a bit paranoid?

[Mrs Firth 1]

This sounds exactly what it was like for me the day after surgery. Painkillers may have been given intravenously with your fluids and after that is stopped basically the pain kicks in. It is because you have had operative work on your body and it is reacting to being cut, I suspect. The pain went in a day or two. The other pain I have found bad is indigestion but that starts going soon as well. If the pain gets worse, make sure you let the medics know. It is to be expected at first but should lessen rather than worsen. Keep smiling, you took the brave step and it is a great new journey of your life and health from here on in

[Sistersue 12]

I know it's hard and the first day after surgery, or really 3 days all I could do is shuffle around the neighborhood but it really heklpsk with the gas. The pain meds I took only took the edge off. The first few days I just slept, drank, and walked all day. It gets better pretty quickly. Take your temp each day to look for fever. Welcome to our band!

[JAM2YOU 2]

Definately keep up with your pain meds by taking them a little before the last dose is due to wear off and definately try to sit somewhere where it is less stressful to get up and down. I slept the first week in a recliner because it was much easier to deal with then our platform bed. Remember the longer you sit in one position the harder it is to get up. Try to be as mobile as possible with the pain and if your unsure of your incisions try keeping them clean with some peroxide and if they don't improve do not let them put you off, insist on getting into either your surgeon or your PCP to have them looked at. Welcome to the banded world and take it one day at a time.....you can do this and will feel much differently after about a week.

[CheckYes 46]

Arent your incisions covered? I had surgical tape on mine for three weeks after surgery.

Maybe ask your doc to call in some liquid Lortab?

[HeatherinCA 10]

Terrible pain is normal for 3 or 4 days. Yea I had liquid Lortab... nothing really helped too much though, I mean they cut your stomach muscles it's just gonna hurt when you have to use them.

[DonnaJ4 0]

Yes I think it must be normal...i felt like crap also. I was not prepared for that. I got the liquid pain med. But I am 9 days post op and my gas is not out of my body. Its awful. The incisions and stuff feel ok. Its just that gas stuck in my ribs and my back it hurts so bad i feel like throwing up. I still do not really have any appetite. I am going to try to drink a Protein Shake today because I am feeling weak. I hope it gets better for you.