How bad is the pain after surgery?

[t2dav 17]

I'm on my fifth month of pre-op dieting/nutritionist, as required by insurance, how bad is the pain after surgery and how long does it take to feel normal and be able to return to normal regiment? I guess I'm getting a lil nervous and cold feet.

[Maddysgram 6,159]

Of course you are, we all do.

Everyone is so different with hiw they feel after surgery.

Some come out with no big deal and others are "WTH did I do to myself"

For me the first 48hrs were a little rough, nothing that pain meds didn't help and everyday after that got easier and easier. I was out working in my garden by the 5th day, but getting tired lasted a little longer. I don't work, plus I was 56yo so you have to take that into consideration.

What I can say, its all worth it. I feel so much better.

Best thing to do is follow your Drs instructions and get up and walk as much as possible the minute you come out of recovery.

I've had a few surgeries and thats the best thing you can do for yourself. Sip Water and move.

Best wishes on your journey to better health!

[sandiburn 23]

The worst part for me was the gas pains. I had to sleep sitting up for the first week. I too got tired a little faster, but overall it was not that bad. I took a week off work because I wanted to not because they told me to. When I went back to work I could not lift anything over 30 lbs over my head. Other than that I was good. Looking back.....it was WAY WORTH IT!!!!!

good luck with your journey.

[Toddy 758]

You'll get as many different answers to this question as there are people answering.

I've had the surgery twice. The first time the pain was not very bad as far as the incisions went. The gas pain was the worst, and the pain meds and a heating pad made it not so bad. The worst part of the surgery first time around was the weakness and light-headedness I had off and on (mostly on) for the first seven days -- it had me wondering what I had done to myself!! After seven days, I was pretty much back to normal.

The second surgery I was really dreading having to go through the gas pains and extreme weakness again. However, even though my second surgery was more involved (band re-stitched and added plication) I had very little pain at all and didn't experience any of the weakness at all. In fact, I re-arranged my living room furniture less than a week post-op! Fortunately I didn't do any physical damage, and I definitely wouldn't advise anybody to do that -- it's just I felt that good!

[marfar7 1,533]

If I had a job (I don't), I would've taken off a week for a sitting job, maybe 2 weeks for a more active one. My brother in law stayed with me the first week (comes in handy to have someone else there) and I took my liquid Vicodin as directed. I don't remember the gas pain very much. I think lapband surgery is like having a baby - you don't really remember the pain 3 1/2 yrs later!

Some people don't need narcotics at all - Tylenol works fine. I wasn't one of those people, however. I even gota refill on my liquid Vicodin. I had a treadmill and starting maybe day 3, I started walking really slowly several times a day. Believe it or not, I gave away my $1200 treadmill cuz I never used it. Since I pay for the gym, it motivates me more to go! It sure came in handy when I couldn't sleep tho at 2 am!

Good luck with your surgery!

Marci

[CHEZNOEL 4,061]

Strong gas pains the worst, but none of it is as bad as your imagination may tell you! Try to relax and you will be fine!

[shannonc5460 28]

Everyone is different. Me I had mine on a Wednesday and back to work on Tuesday. The first couple days was gas pain but found the more I walked the better it was! By the time I went back to work it was more like doing 100 situps.. Good luck and keep moving!! xo

[Mary Johnson 5]

I am 31 and 3 days out of post op. And yes,,,the gas pains are the worst for me also, but other than that...I didnt rely on the morphine pump and i moved around a bit in the hospital. I have one incision that is swollen from where i guess my device is and its just tender.

sleeping is difficult but i am a side and belly sleeper. I had my procedure on a Friday and im back to work on Monday. Good Luck and it will be well worth it!

[daisychains7 427]

I have a feeling you'll get a huge variety of responses.

I had no gas pains, but my incisions and ab muscles hurt a lot more than I expected. When I first woke up from the OR my pain was an 8.

Of course, pain meds work wonders and I was up and moving in a couple days. Didn't feel "good" until a couple weeks out.