Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Surgery - What to expect? :/ TMI!



Recommended Posts

DLV75 I am so relieved to hear that the drain pain is normal. I too feel like I can't take a full breath , like it's rubbing up against my diaphragm or something. I also can not get comfortable to sleep.< /p>

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It doesn't hurt coming out but it is the weirdest thing you will ever feel. Kind of like a snake wiggling around in there. When they pulled it I could instantly breath without pain. It was wonderful. I had no idea the drain was causing that shoulder pain I just assumed it was the gas until they pulled it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It doesn't hurt coming out but it is the weirdest thing you will ever feel. Kind of like a snake wiggling around in there. When they pulled it I could instantly breath without pain. It was wonderful. I had no idea the drain was causing that shoulder pain I just assumed it was the gas until they pulled it.

Did your rib area hurt to? I'm 5 days out and have the drain and have heartburn and my rib hurts but im sure its just from the surgery.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I did not have a drain or staples with my sleeve. Every surgeon is different.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Did your rib area hurt to? I'm 5 days out and have the drain and have heartburn and my rib hurts but im sure its just from the surgery.

My ribs hurt, and I feel like its from this drain. Whenever I breath I feel it. It's weird and horrible because I can't settle to get some sleep, hence it being 2:30 and me not asleep ahhhhhhhhh. I want this think out, but I have 4 more days...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

No drain or staples for me either. All of my incisions were glued shut. One had one dissolving stitch in it. When I had my gallbladder out I had staples. It wasn't the end if the world, they just leave additional scarring.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my surgery on Monday. I won't lie, it was rough but they did fix an unexpected hiatal hernia as well. The gas pain and post op swelling was very uncomfortable. My back pain was off the chart, but finally on my last day in the hospital- my nurse (a post WLS patient herself) brought me a bag of headed towels and Fluid for a make shift heating bag- and it helped. If you have a heating pad- TAKE IT. I think for me I was a nervous wreck until after the leak Test, then I relaxed a bit.

Today, I am good- nothing to complain about. Incision pain is getting less and less daily. Being home helped healing for me. I couldn't sleep much. Every hour another staff member was in there either doing vitals, giving me shots in my tummy (blood thinners) or checking my sugar levels. Pain management at the hospital sucked- no morphine drip like some- just dilaudid. It didn't help so much. Once home I was on liquid lortab and it was awesome!

All and all- at 2-3 days post op I would say I made a mistake doing the surgery, now 6 days out I am over the moon HAPPY!

I am 42yo and have had spinal surgery, 3 c-sections, a tubal reversal surgery, gallbladder removed and complete hysterectomy. This surgery was a little tough but am happy to have done it!!! I don't take high blood pressure meds or metformin any longer so that is a big plus too! Ohhh... And I am down from 228 to 215 this morning. I weighed in surgery morning at 220.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am 3 days post op (band removal to VSG) and I was up and walking around the recovery ward in 2 hours. I had zero incision pain - my biggest problem is with gas, radiating through my back. It is getting better each day, and this morning I had a (sorta) bowel movement.

I freaked myself out last night that i had a fever - I can be a bit of a hypochondriac - but I'm doing fine. Walk, walk, walk is my one suggestion.

I came out feeling good - way better than when I had the band done.

Follow the rules that the Dr sets out for you and you'll be fine

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have said in many posts that I expected this surgery to be a breeze, especially where pain was concerned. I have never taken pain meds before, and I did need to with this surgery. I instantly regretted my decision when I woke in a fog in the recovery room. I probably wasn't happy about my decision for a few weeks. I struggled to get my Protein and Water in. Struggled with trying to plan my meal schedule. But it got easier, I'm down 52 lbs and feel much better.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I didn't have a drain. I did have my stomach stapled internally. I had per my doc stock some gas x strips. I had zofran subligual tabs for nausea. Pain was minimal. Went home in 28 hrs. I am now a few days short of one month post op. I want solid foods. My Dr. Was Andre Graham at Baylor in Dallas Texas. His office is staff with individuals that have had some form of WLS. The support was and is fantastic..

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I don't have any other surgeries to compare it to, but I did not have an easy time. Part of it was not being able to take the nausea from the pain meds, so I could only tolerate Tylenol. Recovery has been rough. Not being able to bend over or lift things. Then my incision split open. Now I'm one month out and have pneumonia. This surgery was not as simple as I thought it was going to be.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My ribs hurt' date=' and I feel like its from this drain. Whenever I breath I feel it. It's weird and horrible because I can't settle to get some sleep, hence it being 2:30 and me not asleep ahhhhhhhhh. I want this think out, but I have 4 more days...[/quote']

Im sorry your going through that but glad to hear it not just me. I was afraid that something else might be wrong and it's had me worried. Hope you get to feeling better soon.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had surgery on Tuesday. OMGOSH i was so darn nervous...

I'll explain as much in details as i can. When i was in bed waiting to be taken into surgery, i was greeted by different people from the surgical team.

The anesthesioligist (however you spell that) told me i would two tubes down my throat, one was an upper endcopopy and the other has something to do the the anesthesia. i went into surgery woke up had a little pain but not too much. Was told i will be give me enough pain meds to control my pain. It was hard to take deep breaths. All i wanted to do was sleep. I had something strapped to my calves that massaged me which later i found out was to help circulate the blood in my legs.

I also realized i had a catheter down there.

The most advice i can give you is to take any pain meds you can. I was attached to a machine that with a press of a button i would get a dose of morphine every 8 minutes.

Also as soon as they tell you you can walk. WALK... WALK like there is no tomorrow. That will help release the gas pains. Walk around the hospital hall for about 10-15 minutes every hour while your awake.

Hospitals are annoying because when your trying to sleep a different staff member will come to see you etc. whether to check your vital signs or to see your incisions.

They will probably have you do breathing exercise with a breathing tool. Use that every time there is a commercial on tv while your in bed. it helps you breath better and it also helps to prevent you from getting pneumonia.

My greatest frustrations were the gas pains. Yesterday mom took me a store and i walked for about 2 hours straight and i am so grateful cuz i feel so much better today. Please walk as much as you can. I helps for a speedy recovery. I thought it was bull when the nurse told me because i walked a lot when i was in the hospital and i still had gas pains. (i felt it in my chest and made it hard to swallow).

Walk walk walk. and good luck! Everything will go great!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have said in many posts that I expected this surgery to be a breeze, especially where pain was concerned. I have never taken pain meds before, and I did need to with this surgery. I instantly regretted my decision when I woke in a fog in the recovery room. I probably wasn't happy about my decision for a few weeks. I struggled to get my Protein and Water in. Struggled with trying to plan my meal schedule. But it got easier, I'm down 52 lbs and feel much better.

I started kind of regretting it as well. But i guess its part of the process of healing. I'm glad your better and congrats on the weight loss!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

<~~~~~~~~no drain or staples.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Bashbee91

      Hey guys new to the process looking forward to this new life. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Bugg

      Hi everyone! I’m brand new here. I just went through all my pre-op requirements per my insurance company and now everything has been submitted and I’m just waiting for final approval and my surgery date. I’ve been doing research, watching YouTube videos, TikTok’s, ect.. trying to prepare my mind and what to expect so I’ll be ready for the surgery. I was so sure and so set and so ready and excited. However, now that I’ve done everything & it’s almost here, I am sooooooo scared! I know why I want it bc I’ve tried everything and I just don’t feel like I can lose weight by myself. I’m tired of being overweight my entire life. I’m miserable, but I keep psyching myself out afraid of GERD bc I know how that can be and I don’t want to have to get a bypass after already gaining the courage to even get VSG. I’m scared of complications like I’mgoing to regret doing it and be depressed that I didn’t just be more disciplined and try again to lose the weight on my own even sitting here typing this knowing in my mind i just can’t and don’t possess the discipline. I’m also afraid I won’t be able to handle the restrictions of the sleeve. What do I eat? I don’t know how to eat healthy really and don’t enjoy healthy food. I don’t know how to do this! I feel so defeated!Someone tell me they felt anything similar to this or am I not ready? I thought I was. I am so tired of being sick and tired and so tired of myself and so tired of being stuck and stuck in this body and somebody different on the outside from what I feel inside. I just want to ball up and cry.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • buildabetteranna

      over 20 lbs down since4 the pre surgery diet and surgery on the 14th
      · 1 reply
      1. Selina333

        Yay!! Congrats. I know how good that feels. 🤩

    • Jenopolis

      Had a sleeve in 2017, lost over 100 pounds. Had a DS surgery this year (2025) for more sustainable weight loss. 🤞
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • buildabetteranna

      The 14th was my day. I am home and recovery is going pretty smooth. They even let me walk out of the hospital. Picture of me in recovery curtesy of my boyfriend lol. 

      · 3 replies
      1. DaisyChainOz

        Glad it went well!! Wishing you a speedy recovery and wonderful success!! 🤗

      2. buildabetteranna

        Thank you ❤️

      3. Selina333

        Neat you have a pic of this day! I was sooo happy to get my surgery. It was well worth it! And I'm not even near my goal. I had surgery Dec. 2!

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×