Discomfort on Left Side

kristykreem · October 26, 2010

Yesterday was my first day back at work (I work alone in a very low-stress office). I'm 13 days post-op and toward the end of my work day, my left side above my lower left portal/wound and under my boob, started feeling really tight and sore. Also, right above the lower left portal, I can feel a bit of a lump. When I got home from work, I took Ativan (muscle relaxer) and the discomfort/borderlne pain went away. I felt fine this morning. Now I'm back at work sitting at my desk, and the tightness has returned.

I'm waiting for a call back from my doctor, but while I wait I need to vent. Anybody else had this experience? I don't have a fever, soft food and liquid are going down easily, I have no other symptoms, my left side's not hotter than my right, etc. But I'm getting a little freaked out.

PamelaAM · October 26, 2010

That's interesting because I have experienced that same tightness on the left side right under my boob usually when I am sleeping and go to turn over. I can't see anything there and can't feel anything weird. Wasn't sure what was causing it. Don't know enough about anatomy to know what exactly is there. Same location that you describe. Anyone else?

kristykreem · October 26, 2010

Just talked to my surgeon's office. They said this is normal, that the stitching on the left side makes the hairiest wound, this pulling and discomfort and slight lumpy feeling is part of the normal healing process, and that I shouldn't freak out unless the area turns red and/or I start running a fever. I feel better about it now, but I'm going to watch it like a hawk.

Jordien · October 26, 2010

If you scroll further down in this forum, maybe even onto the next page, you'll see my thread about "lower left pain!" I had the same thing nagging at me and really hurting. My doctor told me the same thing and pinpointed the pain at my appt. He said that's where those sutures are down deep, and they take the longest to heal. Sometimes 6 to 8 weeks! I am 5 weeks out now and it just stopped bothering me, thank goodness. I was freaking out and worried too!