Worried about post op pain? Me too

[Belize 32]

I am scheduled for 9/10 and aside from the big worries -the surgery itself, if its the right choice etc.. I have to admit I'm worried about how much pain there will be. I have had my gallbladder removed(laparoscopically ) a c-section, a diagnostic abdominal laparoscopy, and an open abdominal hysterectomy and debunking plus I survived interperitenial chemo so you would think I wouldn't be worried but I am. How are you dealing with it? What was it like for you?

[Min 2]

You will have moderate discomfort only. The painkillers are excellent. The primary discomfort can come from gas build up but they tell you to get walking as soon as you can-even on Day 1. So you end up walking up and down the hospital corridors. I have had all sorts of surgery-this one didn't stand out as being worse-in fact because it's done laparoscopically there is little wound pain, unlike with a c-section where the whole wound pulls every time you do something.

Don't worry about it. Focus on the results which will be a massive reduction in weight quite quickly.

In fact the hardest part of it was having only Water for a few days until you can have other liquids and then having only soft food until you can have hard food....after that it's plain sailing and the ups far surpass the downs!

Min

Best of luck!

[Mommas159 10]

Belize, you'll handle this fine after all that! I've never had surgery, had three simple births and a total wuss to pain. I'm having a 'painful' recovery compared to my group (30 or so sleeved the same month) and I'm really not in nor ever was in pain. I kept the pain pump in the hospital as long as I could and even asked for more but it made me really nauseous so I stopped that. Once they switched me to the liquid lor-tab that was all I needed. I was sleeved on 8/28, a Wednesday, came home Friday. I slept in the recliner Friday night and kept my pain meds every 4 hours. Saturday I couldn't get up with out help because of sore abs but was comfortable going to every 6 hours for meds. That night I was able to sleep 1/2 the night in bed with my hubby but couldn't turn or change positions so he helped me move to the recliner. Sunday I woke up pain free, sore but not at all bad. I took meds around 2pm and took a nap. That night with a 1/2 dose of meds I was able to sleep all night in bed and was able to turn myself once. By Monday I could get up out of bed and the recliner on my own. Since then, I've been able to do some house chores (dishes, vacuuming, pick up, etc) plus drive my kids around all with out meds. I'm currently taking a 1/2 dose around 3 to alleviate soreness and enable me to help kids with homework and make dinner then a full dose to go to sleep. I anticipate dropping the mid day meds tomorrow or Friday.

Sorry if that's too much detail but I thought it might help to give you a picture of how a 'painful' recovery is. Most of my group stopped pain meds the day they were released or 1-2 days after. I gather that that's the norm.

Lastly, remember, anticipation of pain is almost always worse than actual. Maybe ask for an anti anxiety for post op. confusing anxiety and actual pain can make treatment worse.

Good luck and keep us posted! Feel free to pm me if you have any other questions.

[SleeviePete 35]

I had my surgery on 8/30. I was totally ok going in, I too was most afraid of the "after". 1st and foremost pick up your meds for post op before you go in. You will need the pain and nausea medications the first night home for sure, at least I did. Being in the hospital was fine, because they are giving you all you fluids, pain meds, and nausea meds intravenously. Yes, you walk, and I had to drink at least 3-6 Protein Drinks before I was released. I stayed only one night. I wanted to go home....but then again I didn't. I "slept" the first night sitting up. I took pain and nausea meds the first day. I still take the pain med at night so I can roll over. Fortunately, I have not had any gas pain (yet). I walk around my tiny apt as much as possible, going outside, which is super hot, to get mail and do a turn around the complex. I keep a log of everything that's goes in. The past 2 days I've been able to get 94-99g of Protein in. G2 and ice chips are my friends. I can drink non-fat milk with the powered protein mixes which helps with getting in all the blooming protein!!

All in all, I would say the first night home was the worst and everyday it gets a helluva lot better. I hope this helps and please let us know how you are doing.

[Belize 32]

Thank you for taking the time to tell me your stories. It helps to hear from you guys.

[Belize 32]

I had my surgery on 8/30. I was totally ok going in' date=' I too was most afraid of the "after". 1st and foremost pick up your meds for post op before you go in. You will need the pain and nausea medications the first night home for sure, at least I did. Being in the hospital was fine, because they are giving you all you fluids, pain meds, and nausea meds intravenously. Yes, you walk, and I had to drink at least 3-6 Protein drinks before I was released. I stayed only one night. I wanted to go home....but then again I didn't. I "slept" the first night sitting up. I took pain and nausea meds the first day. I still take the pain med at night so I can roll over. Fortunately, I have not had any gas pain (yet). I walk around my tiny apt as much as possible, going outside, which is super hot, to get mail and do a turn around the complex. I keep a log of everything that's goes in. The past 2 days I've been able to get 94-99g of Protein in. G2 and ice chips are my friends. I can drink non-fat milk with the powered protein mixes which helps with getting in all the blooming protein!!

All in all, I would say the first night home was the worst and everyday it gets a helluva lot better. I hope this helps and please let us know how you are doing.[/quote']

Thanks for this advise. It's smart thinking and I will definitely get the meds before hand What is G2?

[alittler09 47]

Thank you for taking the time to tell me your stories. It helps to hear from you guys.

I had mine done on 8/28/13, and honestly I feel like I haven't had anything done! I think the first 3-4 days are the worst! I took my meds every 4 hours until the 3rd day, then just at night. As soon as they will let you, get your butt up and walk, walk, walk!!! It gives you motivation and helps with gas!

Good luck, you will do just fine:)

[lswelk 22]

I had my surgery on 8/30. I was totally ok going in' date=' I too was most afraid of the "after". 1st and foremost pick up your meds for post op before you go in. You will need the pain and nausea medications the first night home for sure, at least I did. Being in the hospital was fine, because they are giving you all you fluids, pain meds, and nausea meds intravenously. Yes, you walk, and I had to drink at least 3-6 Protein drinks before I was released. I stayed only one night. I wanted to go home....but then again I didn't. I "slept" the first night sitting up. I took pain and nausea meds the first day. I still take the pain med at night so I can roll over. Fortunately, I have not had any gas pain (yet). I walk around my tiny apt as much as possible, going outside, which is super hot, to get mail and do a turn around the complex. I keep a log of everything that's goes in. The past 2 days I've been able to get 94-99g of Protein in. G2 and ice chips are my friends. I can drink non-fat milk with the powered protein mixes which helps with getting in all the blooming protein!!

All in all, I would say the first night home was the worst and everyday it gets a helluva lot better. I hope this helps and please let us know how you are doing.[/quote']

[lswelk 22]

I had my surgery on 8/30. I was totally ok going in' date=' I too was most afraid of the "after". 1st and foremost pick up your meds for post op before you go in. You will need the pain and nausea medications the first night home for sure, at least I did. Being in the hospital was fine, because they are giving you all you fluids, pain meds, and nausea meds intravenously. Yes, you walk, and I had to drink at least 3-6 Protein drinks before I was released. I stayed only one night. I wanted to go home....but then again I didn't. I "slept" the first night sitting up. I took pain and nausea meds the first day. I still take the pain med at night so I can roll over. Fortunately, I have not had any gas pain (yet). I walk around my tiny apt as much as possible, going outside, which is super hot, to get mail and do a turn around the complex. I keep a log of everything that's goes in. The past 2 days I've been able to get 94-99g of Protein in. G2 and ice chips are my friends. I can drink non-fat milk with the powered protein mixes which helps with getting in all the blooming protein!!

All in all, I would say the first night home was the worst and everyday it gets a helluva lot better. I hope this helps and please let us know how you are doing.[/quote']

Thanks for being so detailed. Information before one goes through it is most helpful. Continued success to you!

[lswelk 22]

Wonderfully detailed. This could be written into a "how to do it well" pamphlet. Thanks for taking time to chronicle this.

[SuzyB 182]

Thanks for the advice.

I had my surgery on 8/30. I was totally ok going in, I too was most afraid of the "after". 1st and foremost pick up your meds for post op before you go in. You will need the pain and nausea medications the first night home for sure, at least I did. Being in the hospital was fine, because they are giving you all you fluids, pain meds, and nausea meds intravenously. Yes, you walk, and I had to drink at least 3-6 Protein drinks before I was released. I stayed only one night. I wanted to go home....but then again I didn't. I "slept" the first night sitting up. I took pain and nausea meds the first day. I still take the pain med at night so I can roll over. Fortunately, I have not had any gas pain (yet). I walk around my tiny apt as much as possible, going outside, which is super hot, to get mail and do a turn around the complex. I keep a log of everything that's goes in. The past 2 days I've been able to get 94-99g of protein in. G2 and ice chips are my friends. I can drink non-fat milk with the powered

protein mixes which helps with getting in all the blooming protein!!

All in all, I would say the first night home was the worst and everyday it gets a helluva lot better. I hope this helps and please let us know how you are doing.

[Brighteyes 237]

Here is my philosophy of pain meds. Being in pain causes stress to the body and thus hindering the healing process. So take the pain meds the doctor prescribes to take the edge off. You'll be fine. You've survived so much already.

[SleeviePete 35]

Thanks for this advise. It's smart thinking and I will definitely get the meds before hand What is G2?

G2 is a low calorie Gatorade sports drink that has electrolytes. Lemon-Lime is my favorite!!

[Gardengirl 66]

Was sleeved on 8/26. One bout of horrible cramps and that was it. My three days in the hospital were so pleasant I didn't want to go home!! I'm thankful that I did not experience any severe gas pains nor did I have any trouble swallowing. I, too, was so afraid of the expected pain and difficulties but was pleasantly surprised. I had three c-sections and a couple other gynecological same day surgeries and this was BY FAR the easiest. My best advice to you is WALK!!! I walked the halls morning noon and night. I got home on a Wednesday and by Thursday I was walking a mile in my neighborhood. I walked around a cul de sac every time I had a Protein Drink. I am up to two miles now, at nearly two weeks out and I am convinced that this is helping my recovery. Plus, after the initial post op gain of a few pounds (due to water/fluid gain) my scale is is going down down down. Wishing you lots of luck!!!!

[lswelk 22]

Was sleeved on 8/26. One bout of horrible cramps and that was it. My three days in the hospital were so pleasant I didn't want to go home!! I'm thankful that I did not experience any severe gas pains nor did I have any trouble swallowing. I' date=' too, was so afraid of the expected pain and difficulties but was pleasantly surprised. I had three c-sections and a couple other gynecological same day surgeries and this was BY FAR the easiest. My best advice to you is WALK!!! I walked the halls morning noon and night. I got home on a Wednesday and by Thursday I was walking a mile in my neighborhood. I walked around a cul de sac every time I had a Protein drink. I am up to two miles now, at nearly two weeks out and I am convinced that this is helping my recovery. Plus, after the initial post op gain of a few pounds (due to water/fluid gain) my scale is is going down down down. Wishing you lots of luck!!!![/quote']

Love this testimonial. It's so vivid and specific. Very helpful. Thanks.