Scared of Pain:(

[nmorenol 3]

Hi everyone! I am approved to get sleeved! yey, I am currently trying to come up with financing for the surgery, however I am constantly getting anxious because I start thinking about the pain I might feel. Can you honestly tell me is it terrible? is it manageable? I have a low tolerance to pain.

[LML8789 52]

It's very manageable. I left the hospital the next morning after surgery and never filled the pain medication. It just felt uncomfortable when you tried to stand up-otherwise no pain. If you have a low pain threshhold, you should do fine with the pain medication. good luck!

Lisa

[Quest4TheNewMe 225]

I'm a baby when I'm in pain. I've been taking my pain meds and I'm doing okay. If you're uncomfortable, don't be afraid to take the meds, that's what you have them for. I have one incision that's pretty sore but otherwise I actually feel really good. Of course, most movement strains that one sore incision. But each and every day is better. I'm only four days post-op.

[par1959 470]

There is little to no pain

[Garifab_VSG 122]

From what I've heard, the most pain people have had to tolerate is the gas pains post-surgery, and the discomfort (but not pain) of waking up with a dry mouth and not being able to drink anything until the next day. These are the things I'm trying to wrap my mind around to prepare myself.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

It depends upon the person and your doctor's protocol. My pain level was about the same as a cross between menstrual cramps and what your abs feel like the day after a vigorous workout. I was walking in recovery and continued to walk throughout my hospital stay. I had no gas pains and no reflux/heartburn. However, my doctor started me on prophylactic doses of colace ( a stool softener) and generic prilosec in the hospital. I didn't need pain meds or the morphine pump in the hospital and I never filled the pain meds when discharged.

Edited November 17, 2014 by Blerdgirl

[finediva 979]

Everyone's tolerance for pain is very different, so you'll get many different responses here. That being said, of course there is some pain at the incision sites, for many people, the largest one where they remove your stomach. In the hospital there is pain meds and you are given a prescription to fill when you leave. Use your meds as needed. BTW, my surgeon explained that there is no pain felt from the actual stomach. It was true for me. My pain involved my incisions and I stopped pain meds by day three. Best.

[kikicoates78 220]

I had no pain from the regular sleeve surgery. I also had an umbilical hernia repaired at the same time. That was a little tender. The incision down my belly button was the only discomfort I found. I only stayed over night, and didn't take any pain meds after I was released. All healed well. I did have discomfort from gas. You just have to walk walk walk.

[Miss Mac 6,262]

One of my pre-op questions for my surgeon referred to what steps does he take towards post-op pain relief. Specifically, I was concerned about all of this sharp shoulder gas I was hearing about. In case you have not discovered yet, the surgeon pumps your abdomen up with CO2 in order to create extra working space and to facilitate the movement of his instruments. He promised that he would extract as much of the gas as possible. Guess what? I had zero pain from shoulder gas.

I had three tiny incisions held together with steri-strips (not stitches or staples) and one other a little bit bigger (and just below my navel) where the excess stomach was retracted. That one also was small enough for a steri-strip. The only pain that cramped my style was from the underlying muscle near the largest incision. I was on a morphine pump the first day and the hydrocodone the second day. I came home around noon on the third day and only used the hydrocodone at bedtime for two days.

If you can, prop yorself up in bed for a few nights to make getting up and down easier without pulling on your abdominal muscles. I have a lift recliner because of some previous back surgery and thought I might need to sleep in that for a few nights, but did not need to use it.

Just go easy on yourself and don't be lifting laundry baskets or kettlebells. My biggest incision was tender for about a month, but given that I had just had surgery, that was to be expected. Actually the hardest part of my surgical experience was to just move over to the surgical table. My recovery has been uncomplicated as far as pain and discomfort. The biggest challenge overall has been manipulating a delicate dietary balance to meet all of my requirements.

You can do this. In no time you will be able to encourage those who follow behind you. Beyond the professional expertise of your team, you will find great support here on the forum. I hope that your surgery is uncomplicated and that you will enjoy the new you that is about to emerge.

[nmorenol 3]

Thank you everyone!!! I can do this! I can do this!!! I wonder if they give you tranquilizers when you get to the hospital. Im scared ill get too much anxiety.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Thank you everyone!!! I can do this! I can do this!!! I wonder if they give you tranquilizers when you get to the hospital. Im scared ill get too much anxiety.

Another question to ask your doctor. If you think you're anxiety level will be extreme they may be able to accommodate you.

[CowgirlJane 14,260]

You don't feel pain in your stomach. What you might feel is gas pain which is often in your shoulder. It is from the gas they pump in to do the laproscopic surgery. You might also feel naseau from the anesthesia etc. The pain wasn't bad, but I gotta be honest you probably won't feel "great" the first few weeks but it is more the having trouble getting Fluid in etc. Good news is it is very temporary!

[Quest4TheNewMe 225]

My gas pains really weren't in my shoulder, they were in my diaphragm, but they gave me gas meds four times per day and sent me home with gas meds.

[finediva 979]

@nmorenol. I asked for a Valium while I was in the surgery holding room. I was given one, no questions asked. I was about to ask for another one when they came and got me. Laid on the table, saw the guy starting my iv, then the next I was waking up. So, ask for some anxiety meds. They should accommodate you. Best.

[landerr 10]

I was sleeved yesterday and I currently only have a little pain, mostly when lying flat in bed, only taking Tylenol. I had more pain when I got my gallbladder removed.