When Does the Discomfort Stop

[livingstone 137]

So, I'm a week out and the physical discomfort from the surgery is still there. Not pain, and I've not taken (or needed) pain meds for a few days. But I am still very slow and stiff, I can't sleep on my sides, I can only stand for a limited amount of time, going out feels like a chore, bending down (even when I'm sat on the side of the bed) to pull up pants or put on socks.

What it really feels like is a bad side stitch all the time. If I'm sat down, it doesn't cause any discomfort, but when I move, it is uncomfortable or, briefly, a bit painful.

I have to go out tomorrow for a follow up appointment with my surgeon, and I am dreading the journey on public transport.

This is all getting me down quite a lot, since I feel like as well as not being able to eat normally I also can't live normally. I also desperately want to be able to cuddle up with my partner when we sleep but I can't.

So I'm wondering - is this normal a week out? The first few days saw daily improvements in the discomfort but in the past day or two, it feels like it hasn't improved.

And secondly, how long before the discomfort will be gone and I can live a normal life without feeling like every action takes five times more effort than before surgery?

[sweetie716 270]

I think it's just one of those things that get a bit better each day. I was lucky with a very smooth recovery, but I still had to find inventive positions to sleep comfortably and would get tired after a day of shopping and stuff. It's just a gradual transition back to normalcy. I'd say by the end of the second week I was fine sleeping normally again. Hope you start feeling better soon!

[joatsaint 2,814]

I went through the "can't sleep comfortably" period - it lasted about a month. For the 1st 2 weeks post-op, the only comfortable position I could find was sitting in my computer chair.

sleeping on either side was impossible for about a month. I would feel a pulling sensation inside when I tried to lay on either side. I had to sleep propped up, like in the hospital bed, and on my back.

I promise it does get better and it is worth every minute of discomfort I went through. Life on the other side is sooo much better and in 6 months, you'll be wondering why you put off having surgery for so long!

[livingstone 137]

Thanks both. Bit disappointed to hear it might take another three weeks to sleep in different positions - I'm really missing my cuddles while I sleep!

I'm probably lucky in that I haven't had any trouble sleeping - but I do have to be propped up and sleep on my back, and I do wake up with a bit of a stiff back because I've been in one position all night, but no problem actually sleeping through the night.

I just didn't realise I might have a month to wait before being able to toss and turn as normal etc.

[Thinkingthinner1109 485]

A binder helps with moving and getting up. I wore mine for probably 3 weeks. Made it much more manageable.

[geekguy 27]

Hey there. I am 2 weeks out and sleeping comfortably, but I would say that I am taking 500mg Tylenol gelcaps twice a day to help with soreness. I take it first thing in the morning and right before bed. Also, and I am still testing this out, I am thinking that more movement is helping the soreness work itself out. I work at a desk, and it feels like my stitches are trying to tighten up, so I am going to work on increasing my workouts more (an hour on the treadmill) bc that really seemed to do the trick and stretch them back out. Otherwise, I find myself starting to really have bad posture and slump over.

This whole thing is highly individualized and a lot of trial and error, but that's what I've found out thus far. Hope this find you well.