I've fallen and I can't get up

[BarrySue 602]

I was discharged from the hospital yesterday, and day 3 post-op. However, the tylenol with codeine I was sent home with didn't do anything for my pain. During the night I slept upright on a couch, but around midnight I started to slide off and couldn't straighten up due to the excruciating pain. I ended up stuck on the floor and the fire department had to come in and get me up to bed. It was one of the most humiliating experiences of my life, and I'm terrified it's going to happen again. I'm just in so much pain that I can't even get myself into a good position to sleep.< /p>

I never imagined it would be this bad, because I have a very high pain tolerance. Heck, when I go to the dentist, I refuse novocaine and just let them drill away! I take care of my own cuts and wounds instead of going to the hospital. I can't believe that a VSG is giving me so much trouble when people twice my age are already out and about, totally fine!

Has anyone else experienced severe pain post discharge?

[Shustar 395]

Your pain level does not sound right at all. Call your surgeon ASAP. Get it checked out!

[ShannonSinTx 31]

I agree with Shustar. I never had actual pain just discomfort.

[Tkrk0325 15]

I would definitely call your bariatric clinic. That sounds like too much pain. I slept in a recliner for about a week after surgery and that helped a lot. Stay on top of your pain meds too. Best of luck...hang in there.

[Samkay 6]

Yes I was shocked by the pain. I had no idea it would be that bad. I was even questioning my decision of having the VSG. I too have a high pain tolerance and think I underestimated how I would feel due to previous surgeries where I was fine. The good news is that after a few days of walking around as much as possible the air dissipated and the pain subsided. For me it was all due to the air and wow I had no idea it could hurt that bad. Walk as much as possible. The first few days are the toughest. Good luck!!

[tgorden1208 8]

I had terrible pain at the larger site on the left, dr said I probably pulled the stitches put in my abdominal wall, I kept ice on the area at all times, used pain meds, and kept as much pressure off of it as possible, slowly-very slowly the pain is getting better. I am 11 days post op.

[Tkrk0325 15]

Ice packs should help too!

[BarrySue 602]

Thanks for the suggestions, folks.

I did call my surgeon as soon as the office opened, but was only instructed to double up on the tylenol with codeine dosage. I will definitely try the ice pack and keep walking around, as well as pay attention to any signs or symptoms of a leak or something more serious.

[Djmohr 6,965]

Your pain sounds like the gas they used, which by the way pain meds don't touch.

That gas pain is brutal. The only way to get rid of it is to walk a lot, sip Water a lot and use heat packs. Also gas x did way more for my pain then pain meds. The pain meds just made me so exhausted that it made the actual pain harder to handle.

Try a heating pad and gas x while sitting or laying.

I hope it gets better soon!

[BarrySue 602]

I know it isn't gas pains, it is directly tissue-related. Today I also realized there was a tiny amount of clear yellow draining from one of my incisions. I really, really hope it is typical discharge and not the beginnings of an infection. It isn't the one where the drain was placed, so it's concerning me that it is the one causing most of my pain.

[sleeved _ Qutie7615 9]

Yes, I have a high pain tolerance as well and this has totally scared me. Day 3 i went back to the E.R because I was in so much pain sitting up n couldn't breathe when sitting up. They told me everything was fine and they upd my pain meds to tramadol. It has really helped. Im 10 days out but still feel a tugging and uncomfortable pressure on my left side, where the biggest incision is. Hope things get better for you

[cuchas 51]

I had the same pain! Walking straight was the worse pain I've ever felt in my life and I have multiple tattoos and piercings!

A week or 2 out, I was walking just fine. I was so used to the recliner bed at the hospital though. My bed is pretty straight and it was terrible for me to sleep on, so I just loaded it with pillows and tried to recreate the recliner bed I had in recovery????

Things will get better though. I definitely was regretting the surgery at first just like you! I'm a month out now and feeling pretty good.

[BarrySue 602]

Thanks for the advice and encouragement, guys! I think I need to accept that this is a painful process and keep walking/put ice packs on before I drive myself nuts.

[cuchas 51]

If it is clear yellow, maybe check up with your surgeon. I was bleeding from my incision and went to see him the next day. Thankfully, he said it was just old blood from the surgery and I didn't need to worry. He then squeezed my stomach and the area until all the left over blood came out.

But just in case, always check up. Even if it turns out to be nothing like in my case.

[BarrySue 602]

It literally just happened again, tried to get off the couch and ended up on the floor. My sister and her husband were on the way over to help, but after about 30 minutes of wiggling around, I finally got to the stairs and pulled myself up (my house is tiled and nothing is bolted down, so I was unable to get any traction). It's official, I can't sit on any couches if I'm alone. Yikes.