Post-operative pain - is this normal?

[Texanatheart 1]

Hello everyone. I am two weeks out from surgery and this is my first posting. I don't have time to search all the various threads for an answer so, I am just going to put my question out there. I am still experiencing a lot of pain. At first it was like someone was jabbing me with a hot poker right in the middle of my stomach. Now, it has settled into just a sharp pain under my left rib cage when I move in certain ways. Is this normal?

Before you all start in with all the questions, I will tell you, I have done everything by the book. I had one of the best surgeons in Dallas so I'm not afraid of a botched job. I started with a BMI of 43 and have lost 26 pounds so far, including the 16 pounds pre-op. I'm eating about a half cup of pureed food now, max. And, like I said, everything has been by the book. Protein, Water, Vitamins, etc. I have been very compliant.

I have been wearing a support belt but, when I take it off I seem to fall apart and I am still taking the liquid pain medicine more than I want to. I read somewhere that you can expect some pain up to four weeks post-op but again, is this normal?

Thank you in advance for any advice, information or encouragement you can offer. I am just a little worried and would feel better knowing that this too shall pass...........

Edited August 11, 2010 by Texanatheart

[disp4so 3]

Hi

It's normal. I had that hot sharp pain for about 4 weeks. It was mostly in my biggest incision, which is my lower right side. I am 7 weeks out and I still get a twinge here and there but it is for the most part gone.

Hang in there, and ask for more pain medication if you need it.. I did..

Take care

Sherri

[zephra 5]

Yep sounds normal to me too. I still have occasional pain like that. Who did your surgery?

[Texanatheart 1]

Hi Zephra. I was sleeved by Dr. Nick Nicholson on 07/27/10. He is absolutely great. Forgot to mention: my incisions are healing super well, I haven't thrown up even once, etc. so everything else is great. I was just worried that it was too much pain. I keep forgetting that it's only been two weeks and "DUH", it is major surgery!

[jamey 1]

I had alot more pain than I was prepared for. I had read so many stories of people who had minor pain and I normally tolerate pain pretty good. I was truly surprised at how much it did hurt. I was in quite alot of pain for the first two weeks, the next two weeks was better and by week 5 or 6 it was hardly any. I am 3 months out and still get moments of pain at the incision sites but it's not bad. Trust me though, it is so worth it!! And hang in there, it does get better.

[Texanatheart 1]

Thanks Jamey. I so needed to hear that. Like you said, I just wasn't prepared for this much pain. I've never had major surgery before! The doctors should not be afraid to tell you this. It wouldn't have changed my mind and I don't regret my decision for one moment. Some days are better than others and now I know I will get there..............thanks to you all!

[jamey 1]

Just an aside at this early stage, the BEST popsicles in the world are Edy's (no sugar added) fruit Bars. With my pain, it was hard for me to get fluids in but popsicles went down great and my doc said they counted toward liquid goals. Each bar is only 25 calories, 1g sugar, and 6 carbs. They saved me during those first 4 weeks.

[DallMike 0]

Sorry you are hurting:sad0: I totally identify with you though! There is a wide spectrum of after surgery pain and I was on the wrong end of the bell curve too. I was even worried about complications and a leak and had a CT at week 3. Call you doc. I went thru 5 bottles of liquid lortab with a liquid tylenol chaser every 4-6 hrs. My liver is tough. If you have a recliner plan on sleeping in it for a few nights. Again, call your doc. The pain may be normal, but you do not have to suffer!!! Mine felt like an apple corer coming out of my belly button. No left incision pain, no drain pain. As Tiffykins told me it should not last past 4 weeks and that's when mine almost totally stopped overnight. WARNING: On those good days, do not suddenly bend over to tie your shoes or pick something up:crying: Take it slow and easy.

Edited August 12, 2010 by DallMike

[Texanatheart 1]

DallMike, I hear you! I'm on my fourth bottle of Lortab. And I do tend to overdo it on those day I feel better. Last night after work, I was doing some grocery shopping (which took 2+ hours because I'm reading labels and searching for new types of food) then, I got home and decided to 'purge' the kitchen cabinets. Big mistake! I am really, really suffering today. I don't know which is worse; being so distracted by the pain I can't function at work or being so doped up I can't function either. I'm up and down a lot at work and even getting in and out of the car is hard. I've realized it may be because I am twisting and bending at the same time. My pain is in my left side above the 'big' incision.

Hey, I had Doc Nick too! 07/27/10. Isn't he great..........

[DallMike 0]

Yep, you fell for the I feel good trap. I like Dr. Nick, but I only saw him twice...at the seminar and at the pre-surgery consult. I wanted a 32fr and he said he only did 36 so I asked for a tight 36! I've dealt more with Brittany telling her I'm in PAIN! So glad I'm thru that. Luv the results so far and I'd do it again...

[ouroborous 519]

Bottom line is that some pain is normal. If you are vomiting (or blood is coming out of ANYTHING), or you have difficulties breathing, that is a medical emergency. A little pain, however, is normal, and you should adopt more of a "wait and see" attitude.

It COULD be a staple line leak, but it's fairly unlikely at two weeks out.

[Texanatheart 1]

I was pretty confident it was not a staple line leak and I wouldn't have been anxious about just a 'little' pain. I was in major PAIN! But, I'm feeling much better now, thank you. So, I am just going to repeat. The doctors should forewarned you! We're grown people, we can take it............ if we are informed.

[zephra 5]

At 11 days out I was feeling pretty good and thinking I had escaped the pain thing but then I woke up the next day and thought I would die. Turns out the scar tissue was regrowing around the nerves and it felt like someone was stabbing hot pokers into my belly. I could not walk and going from sitting to standing was the most pain I have ever been in. I tried pain killers, lidocane Patches, ice (helped a little), and heat but nothing helped. I just had to wait it out. 11 days later I was much better but I admit, in the middle of it, I thought I had made a big big mistake.

[Texanatheart 1]

I got that way last Thursday. I could barely move, missed work on Fri. and called the doctor's office. They had me start taking Celebrex, which I had been on before surgery anyway, but had stopped. I make sure I wear the stomach binder all the time now, even with this darn 100+ degree Texas heat and I do feel much better. That was one of the reasons I got sleeved anyway, because I was taking Celebrex for my back and they said if you take NSAIDS that is the way to go. Some people just don't get how painful it can be if you have never experienced anything like that before.

[zephra 5]

I know. I think my husband finally understood when he heard me scream from the bathroom because I got off the toilet. Thank goodness I am past that part!