Is my postop pain normal??

[formykids2 4]

I knew going into this that there is pain in surgery especially when they sew something to your muscles, but wow! In the hospital I was on dilauded that really helped with the pain and I could go to the restroom by myself and not be in an extreme amount of pain. Now that I am home though, I am having trouble even walking. My husband has to help me get up, walk, sit back down... and everytime I am up for longer than just a couple of minutes I get really nauseous and lightheaded. When I breathe in deep or cough or anything with sudden movement like that I feel a searing pain in my side that takes about 20 min to settle down with an icepack on it.I did have my gallbladder out at the same time that they put in the band, but the pain that I feel in the right side is totally doable, the pain that is getting me down is the left side where the port is.) Is all of this normal? Am I doing something wrong? (Oh, and the hospital gave me a binder that does help some with the feeling that my guts are spilling out everytime I stand up, but it is totally not tight enough so I find that I have to hold myself together to manage to move)

[Pashion 7]

I knew going into this that there is pain in surgery especially when they sew something to your muscles, but wow! In the hospital I was on dilauded that really helped with the pain and I could go to the restroom by myself and not be in an extreme amount of pain. Now that I am home though, I am having trouble even walking. My husband has to help me get up, walk, sit back down... and everytime I am up for longer than just a couple of minutes I get really nauseous and lightheaded. When I breathe in deep or cough or anything with sudden movement like that I feel a searing pain in my side that takes about 20 min to settle down with an icepack on it.I did have my gallbladder out at the same time that they put in the band, but the pain that I feel in the right side is totally doable, the pain that is getting me down is the left side where the port is.) Is all of this normal? Am I doing something wrong? (Oh, and the hospital gave me a binder that does help some with the feeling that my guts are spilling out everytime I stand up, but it is totally not tight enough so I find that I have to hold myself together to manage to move)

I am sorry to read that you are in so much pain, maybe if it continues you should call the surgeon. I will pray that the pain subsides quickly for you.

Good Luck

[bromo 17]

I had a lot more pain than many here and it took several days for it to subside. By day 5 I realized it really was getting better. Looks like you are on day 2 after surgery which is always the worst day. Take it easy and know that it will soon be a dim memory.

[DawnH 9]

I was in a lot more pain than a lot of people here too. I am only 36 and I though I would bounce back a lot quicker. The first 10 days I was still in quite a bit of pain and I had family helping with the kids so it wasn't me over doing it. I am now almost 5 weeks out and feel completely normal now. I never thought I would feel good enough in my ab area to wear jeans again but I do . I had the pain when I would stretch or inhale really deep too. It will go away but it doesn't go away fast enough. Just get as much rest as you can but make sure you are walking around some too. Another thing I wasn't prepared for is how tired I was. I had no energy and was just exhausted. I can tell you now I feel better than I have in a long time getting some of the weight off and taking all the Vitamins I do and eating healthier now that I can eat food again. It will get better just be patient Good Luck!

[Poodlelover56 2]

Your words are so encouraging Dawn! I am 55, and am three days post op. This is the first morning that I am finally able to drink my Protein Shake. I have had zero appetite, but the gas is definitely moving out, both directions. I am still feeling the gas pains in my left shoulder off and on. The incisional pains are tolerable. They used derma bond on my lap incisions, so there are no sutures which is nice. But I am very wiped out too. I'm just thinking that this will get better day by day. And I am down 17 pounds from my first visit with the surgeon exactly two months ago today! I'm happy about that!

[Lisa1967 0]

I was very lightheaded for a few days. What stage of diet are you on now? I was on full liquids when discharged from the hospital. Maybe is because your body is used to a certain calorie intake and it's getting a fraction of it now. Everyone is different post surgery. And I'm not a physician so I'm not really sure why. Did you get any narcotics prescribed for pain? If so try taking that for the pain and see how you feel in a couple days. If it persists call your surgeon and let them know.

I knew going into this that there is pain in surgery especially when they sew something to your muscles, but wow! In the hospital I was on dilauded that really helped with the pain and I could go to the restroom by myself and not be in an extreme amount of pain. Now that I am home though, I am having trouble even walking. My husband has to help me get up, walk, sit back down... and everytime I am up for longer than just a couple of minutes I get really nauseous and lightheaded. When I breathe in deep or cough or anything with sudden movement like that I feel a searing pain in my side that takes about 20 min to settle down with an icepack on it.I did have my gallbladder out at the same time that they put in the band, but the pain that I feel in the right side is totally doable, the pain that is getting me down is the left side where the port is.) Is all of this normal? Am I doing something wrong? (Oh, and the hospital gave me a binder that does help some with the feeling that my guts are spilling out everytime I stand up, but it is totally not tight enough so I find that I have to hold myself together to manage to move)

[formykids2 4]

I am on full liquids but having a very hard time getting much mire than Water and juice down. I am in lortab but it just takes an edge off when I am resting but as soon as I move forget it. It is really hard to get a deep breath too. I really hope this eases up soon.

[Lisa1967 0]

I was really exhausted for about a week after my procedure. I had a nurse who had the gastric sleeve and she told me to take it easy for a week that I would probably feel tired. I went to a concert 4 days post op. I was so tired I didn't want to go, but the tickets were pricey so I made myself go. I had fun but passed out as soon as I got home. I'm so sorry you are having so much pain. Just take it easy and hopefully it will subside. I did notice the more I tried to move around the better I felt. Just take it slow..baby step it.

[redchic1978 1]

I was in a lot of pain for the first 2/3 days. I am on 7th day post op. I found taking the restrictive wrap off helped me. I was so naseus I was dry heaving. Also I took baths. I layed in the bath with my belly up and out of the Water and made sure my inscissions stayed dry. The water really soothed my pain. 2nd n 3rd day I took one every 3 hours just to get the relief. I feel your pain. I had my gall bladder out 2 yrs ago and every one said oh ul be fine in 2 days. It took me 3 weeks to recover fully. Every1 is different. Ppl who took pain meds b4 surgery have worse pain after also I don't know if that's ur case. Im 7 days post op and still get pain in my chest and left shoulder from the gas. Everyday gets better. Just hang in there.

[formykids2 4]

I would LOVE a hot bath (that is my usual go to instead of medications for any ailment) but my Dr said no baths and I am scared of trying to get out. I know I can keep my incisions dry, but do you have trouble getting out? I am feeling a little better today thank goodness. I am still having a horrid kill me now amount of pain though if I cough or sneeze. I did try the holding a pillow against my tummy, but it comes w the clenching of my ab muscles. I have to use an icepack for a long time after before I can move again. How long till that feels better?? Thanks for all who have written back to! I was feeling like a post op failure seeing all of these people who were up and going the next day and back at work so soon. Even though it doesn't fix the pain, I feel better knowing I am not all that odd with having pain.

[Lisa1967 0]

Don't feel bad. I used a pillow too. I learned this from my husband who had hernia surgery 4 weeks before me. It seems you have minimal improvement. I would just give it a couple more days. I'm glad to see that pain goes away with baths. My son does this when he has a tummy ache and he says it makes if feel better. I really thought he was being a drama queen and making excuses for his baths lol. I stand corrected, thanks guys lol

[3musketeers 1]

I knew going into this that there is pain in surgery especially when they sew something to your muscles, but wow! In the hospital I was on dilauded that really helped with the pain and I could go to the restroom by myself and not be in an extreme amount of pain. Now that I am home though, I am having trouble even walking. My husband has to help me get up, walk, sit back down... and everytime I am up for longer than just a couple of minutes I get really nauseous and lightheaded. When I breathe in deep or cough or anything with sudden movement like that I feel a searing pain in my side that takes about 20 min to settle down with an icepack on it.I did have my gallbladder out at the same time that they put in the band, but the pain that I feel in the right side is totally doable, the pain that is getting me down is the left side where the port is.) Is all of this normal? Am I doing something wrong? (Oh, and the hospital gave me a binder that does help some with the feeling that my guts are spilling out everytime I stand up, but it is totally not tight enough so I find that I have to hold myself together to manage to move)

That sounds normal to me, in my experience anyway. I can honestly say that I was in more pain than alot on this forum. You are explaing what I felt almost to the T. I did get some very good pain meds from my dr that helped. I am about 7 weeks out but I can honestly say the first 4 days were painful. Around day 5 is when I started feeling a bit better and I would say after the 1st week I was back to almost normal. I still couldn't bend but it does get better. I still feel a little bit of uncomfort every now and then. Hang in there! It does get better.

[hopefloats 11]

I knew going into this that there is pain in surgery especially when they sew something to your muscles, but wow! In the hospital I was on dilauded that really helped with the pain and I could go to the restroom by myself and not be in an extreme amount of pain. Now that I am home though, I am having trouble even walking. My husband has to help me get up, walk, sit back down... and everytime I am up for longer than just a couple of minutes I get really nauseous and lightheaded. When I breathe in deep or cough or anything with sudden movement like that I feel a searing pain in my side that takes about 20 min to settle down with an icepack on it.I did have my gallbladder out at the same time that they put in the band, but the pain that I feel in the right side is totally doable, the pain that is getting me down is the left side where the port is.) Is all of this normal? Am I doing something wrong? (Oh, and the hospital gave me a binder that does help some with the feeling that my guts are spilling out everytime I stand up, but it is totally not tight enough so I find that I have to hold myself together to manage to move)

I was surprised at how much pain I had too. I had heard so many stories of people being "uncomfortable" for a couple of days, so that is what I expected. I actually had to stay 2 nights I was having so much difficulty. The dilauded worked great for the pain but it totally made me loopy, I couldn't keep my eyes open. I was very lucky that my husband was able to be home with me because I don't know how I would have made it through the first 2 days. I had trouble lowering myself onto the toilet, very lightheaded and nauseous, and held the walls to keep my balance when I walked. It took me 3 days at home to finally feel a bit better, though I still need to take my pain med. I think we all hear the "easy recovery" stories and it seems no one shares the really bad painful stories, but the more I read on the boards the more I hear how difficult some people have it. The doctor sent me home with a Rx for Percocet and that really does a good job to control my pain, also I don't get any side effects like being loopy/dizzy/out of it. I think this is normal. Hang in there, maybe get a Rx for pain and try to rest....a few days will make all the difference. I had my surgery on the 12th and I am finally feeling on the 16th....not up to doing much, but I do feel like my body is recovering from the trauma. I wish you all the best and hope that you feel well soon.