Burning Pain Next To Belly Button Post Op

[RossJL 25]

I am exactly one week post of and I STILL have this horrible burning pain to the left of my belly button. The doctor's office said it was where the camera went in and the skin above the spot is numb! Did anyone else have this happen and how long did it take for your pain to go away?

[Lissa 2,631]

I've read that it can take a few weeks for that area to truly recover from the trauma of surgery. I had a stent put in and removed through my groin area, so I had pain and bruising there which made any pain near my belly button seem minor. That area took about 3 weeks after removal to quit hurting completely.

[RossJL 25]

Thank you so much for your response, the hard part is not knowing how long it will last :-( I've realized that hydracodone and 2 Aleve really helps but only for a few hours!

[Julie76 251]

They cut some nerves there. It will take some time for them to heal. I still have a place on my tummy next to my belly button that has no feeling because I pulled an internal stitch. Be careful not to do that.

[alexeleni 15]

That happened to me and occasionally still does when I'm tired...and I am five-ish weeks out! Don't worry, it's normal and will recede.

[RossJL 25]

Thank you Julie, all this information helps a lot. How long did the pain last?

[Julie76 251]

It lasted for about two months. It will get better.

[Wheetsin 714]

I've not had sleeve surgery yet, but I've had 3 laparoscopic abdominal surgeries. This may sound like a silly question, but is the incision that's hurting you the most stapled? (or stitched, or whatever your surgeon used) Sometimes surgeons will leave the smaller incisions open - they're small enough they don't really need a staple. This happened to me and that open one felt pretty much exactly like a constant bee sting for about 6 days. I don't remember when it quit hurting, but at 2 wks I had my staples out and I don't remember it hurting then. Lot of pain for such a tiny little thing (it was seriously like the size of large grain of rice)

The numbness may or may not go away. When I had my lapband out (which was my 3rd lap procedure) in Sep of last year an area about the size of two of my palms was left completely numb. Nerves got cut or bumped. Some feeling has come back in some of the area. There's still about a plum sized area that's completely numb. The rest of the area can feel sharper sensations (like if I pinch or prick) but not softer ones like tickling or rubbing. It really bugged me at first but I've gotten used to it now.

[RossJL 25]

Wheetsin, the pain is internal. All of the laparoscopic incision sights are glued closed and are healing wonderfully, I'm really thinking there probably will not be any scars afterwards. I have been taking progress pictures of my stomach healing, maybe I will post them one day when the healing is done. I have had NO external pain, no stomach pain really, just the pain at this sight next to my belly button. I never knew that they cut muscles and damaged nerves, it makes a lot of sense after hearing this I just wish the pain would subside already!! It's pretty painful :-(

[RossJL 25]

OK thank you everyone for your responses, my next question is what methods did you use to control the pain so that you can handle getting around?

[Wheetsin 714]

Do you feel anything if you lightly press on the area? I don't mean do you have sensation, I mean do you feel anything under the skin? Anything that feels like a little marble, maybe?

I'm always surprised at where the pain comes from. It really is the smallest things. Band in, pain came from the weight of my stomach pulling on my port incision. I never really had much pain other than being sore. GB out, pain came from that bee sting belly button incision. Band out, pain came from the massive sore throat I had (throats were NOT designed to handle machinery).

Have your healing itchies started yet? If not, then especially at the incision that's causing you discomfort, be extra sure not to scratch.

[Julie76 251]

I know it is very painful. This issues was the only reason I told the pain meds that were sent home from the hospital. Most of the time I hurt was when I bent over or was getting up and down. When I laid down it seemed to go away. Just take it easy..or easy as you can. If it still hurts talk to your doctor and see if he can get you something for the pain. Whatever you do don't try to deal with it because no one should be miserable through this process and your doctor will help most of the time.

[traceyc 89]

OK thank you everyone for your responses, my next question is what methods did you use to control the pain so that you can handle getting around?

I am 3 weeks post op and still have some pain in the belly button area near the largest incision when I bend down or move a certain way. It seems to be when my stomach pulls down on the incision area. liquid Tylenol (I use CVS brand) seems to control the pain well. I take it once or twice a day. It is getting better so I am not concerned. It was a couple months before I felt completely better after my gallbladder removal.