So disappointed- no relief from pain from surgeon

[ninanew 22]

I had VSG surgery on June 17. I have had one spot to the right and a little below my main incision that has been more painful than anywhere else - I asked the surgeon about it in the hospital and he said it was from where he had to put in sutures where my stomach was removed.

For the first couple of days at home the pain was decreasing, but since yesterday whenever I cough, sneeze, laugh, or move quickly I get an intense burning, sharp, stabbing pain in that area, for sure pain level 10, and the area continues to ache all the time more and more. Holding a pillow over the spot doesn't prevent the pain. I've maxed out on my prescribed pain meds but it is not helping and my mobility and ability to sleep are impaired.

I sent this message to my surgeon and he got back to me to say that there was nothing else he could give me ... It would just take time.

Say what?!

This is the man who at my consultation said there was no reason anyone should be in pain post op, that he would help however he could, and feels that medicine was there to be used.

So why has he turned a 180 now???

I'm only on lortab now, I know there are stronger pain relievers - like percocet that I got after hand surgery last year.

I'm so disappointed and frustrated! The pain is really the worst I've ever felt and I don't know what to do.

I know it will get better with time, but in the mean time I can barely get around or sleep, and coughing or sneezing is just agonizing.

I was supposed to go back to work tomorrow but there's no way I'll be up for that feeling like this.

Thanks for letting me vent, I just don't know what else to do.

[North_Chicky 29]

Very disappointing. I understand that Doctors don't want to over prescribe pain medication. That being said, It seems odd that you would be in such a significant amount of pain so far out. I would think he would be trying to understand why. If you are not healing as well as average, I can't see why he wouldn't give you stronger meds for another week.

[Chelenka 827]

So sorry you are going thru this. Your pain level doesn't sound normal to me. I think you should call your surgeon again and be more emphatic that you are in terrible pain and something needs to be done ASAP! He should see you right If you don't get a satisfactory response from your surgeon I would go to the ER and get some tests done to make sure there's nothing wring. Hope you are feeling better soon.

pre-surgery weight 325; surgery date 2/28/2013; surgery weight 307; 8 weeks past-op weight 281.4; 12 weeks post-op 274

[TES 858]

A 10 on the pain scale sounds awful--could you go to your PCP or urgicare to make sure something isn't wrong? Could you ask your surgeon about taking a combo of an NSAID with a regular-strength Tylenol (with a gastric-protective agent)? my mom is a retired OR nurse and always had us do that for bad pain bc they used it in post-op for patients who didn't want narcotics. It gets to the inflammation as well as the pain. But I would only do it with your surgeon's blessing. Hope you feel better very soon.

[HatheryOnHerWay 603]

This might sound stupid, but have you tried icing the area that hurts? That worked really well for me when I was having pain issues in one specific area. I also found that wearing a back brace to sort of "hold everything together" helped.

[ninanew 22]

Thanks for the support everyone!

I don't tolerate pain well, obviously. Sounds like lots of others have experienced similar symptoms so I'm going to do my best to just hang in there!

[NoneYa 380]

I haven't had my surgery yet however I have seen the surgeon twice and have my after care folder. I recall reading in it that there is an internal stitch, a sort of tack stitch. It says it may be uncomfortable or painful for a time a week or 2 after surgery. It says that as some point when lifting, sneezing etc it will release. When it does I will feel a pop/tear sort of feeling then relief. The pain may be from a tack stitch like that. Maybe you could ask him about it. It says heating pads might help.

[TES 858]

I haven't had my surgery yet however I have seen the surgeon twice and have my after care folder. I recall reading in it that there is an internal stitch, a sort of tack stitch. It says it may be uncomfortable or painful for a time a week or 2 after surgery. It says that as some point when lifting, sneezing etc it will release. When it does I will feel a pop/tear sort of feeling then relief. The pain may be from a tack stitch like that. Maybe you could ask him about it. It says heating pads might help.

Yes, I had some aching there a week or two after surgery and I think at about 4 weeks it popped. The PA had told me to expect that, so I wasn't worried. I took a pain med at night if it hurt a lot and OTCs during the day.