Ahhh HELP!! IS THIS NORMAL PAIN?

[clg8579 0]

Hi Krystal,

Just went through someting similar - Was banded on 5/26. 5 days later the pain on my left (my incision is on my left) was absolutely unbearable. I was ok to sit down but try standing and I would double over. Was petrified the tubing had wrapped around some organ or the port was pulling away from my skin because it hurt so bad. After many comments from this group I finally called doctor on Friday night (Dr Ortiz). He told me this is because of the muscle - it's not used to the foreign object. He suggested Advil, heating pad three times a day and very minor stretching exercises. Low and behold Saturday I was 98% better! Amazing!!!!! Other than a little soreness around the port incision things feel great and I am down 14 1/2 lbs in 12 days!!!!! Feel better soon

Chris

[iluvpalmtrz 0]

So sorry you are hurting..guess they mean it when they say "no pain no gain!" I too have my port on my RIGHT side. I had a total of 7 incisions and I can tell ya I was sore on the right side. I slept on the couch for the first 5 days as laying down just wasn't going to happen. I found putting an ice pack on my tummy helped me tremendously. It has now been 3 weeks today and I still notice if I stretch the wrong way or bend the wrong way I get some pain. Hang in there! It DOES get better! Take Care!

[Lu Ann 0]

This is a little scary....I was told by the doctor who conducted the lap band seminar, that I could have it done on Thursday, and go back to work on Monday. Do ya'll think that will be possible? Remember now...I am 54...but sit at a computer all day...

[KRZYGIRLNSTL 0]

This is a little scary....I was told by the doctor who conducted the lap band seminar, that I could have it done on Thursday, and go back to work on Monday. Do ya'll think that will be possible? Remember now...I am 54...but sit at a computer all day...

My Dr says it all depends on the person. I think even tho im in alot of pain i could sit at a computer all day. Just moving hurts the worst. It really will depend on the person.

[Road Queen 0]

I had my surgery on Thursday and returned to work Tuesday for 9 hours. But after that I ended up putting in 7 - 7.5 hour days. I just got tired.

I am actually having a tougher time this week - week 2. It is uncomfortable to sit this long. I hope nothing is wrong. I left a message with my surgeon's office yesterday and they haven't returned my call yet. I am sure it is just healing pains but it is irritating. I think I'm just getting nervous because I'm going to Africa next month on a volunteer job and am worried because I won't have any access to medical help.

[dixie 0]

Hi, I have two connections to what you are asking about:

1) My port is on the right side. (that makes at least two of us) :alien

2) 2 days after my surgery, my pain was getting unbearable, and the narcotics weren't doing anything. In searching these boards, one of the moderators (I think it was either "Xirth" or "Captain Midnight" made the comment:

TAKE YOUR MEDS! TAKE YOUR MEDS! TAKE YOUR MEDS!

And later in the thread, what he explained was that the narcotics work best (or only) when you stay AHEAD of the pain, not when you are trying to catch up to it. So what he meant was Don't try to be tough and deal with the pain. Just keep yourself medicated, and the pain will go away. So, with that advice, I went through almost 2 bottles of Vicodin, taking 1/2 of the max dose, twice as often (1 tbs every three hours instead of 2 Tbs every 6 hours). I even had my wife wake me up every 3 hours if I was asleep, just to make sure I took it. Otherwise, the pain would "get ahead of me" and it was terrible.

That's all I've got for you. I hope you do well. The first 6 days, for me were hell. Just expect it and know that it does get better.

(and a lot of us, no doubt, will keep you in our prayers)

Best, Brad

I just want to second what Brad advised! The Medical field has done a complete reversal on their pain medication theory. They no longer believe you will wind up hooked on pain meds and out in the street on 2 weeks of pain medication! I had my band on Tues 6/7 - a lot of soreness - but nothing like a c-section or hysterectomy (sp?). I do have pain right in middle of breast bone whenever I swollow ANYTHING! Is this gas or just swelling? It's not a terrible pain and it doesn't last more than 15 or 20 seconds. I used Dr. Powell here in Dallas and so far so good. My daughter goes in on 6/20 for the procedure. I had coffee this morning - no problem, but I noticed someone said you shouldn't have coffee this soon. Any comments?

Dixie

[KarenB 0]

I was banded on a Friday & back @ work on Tuesday. I would have gone Monday but was really tired from flying the red-eye. But after I went on Tuesday I took it a little easy the rest of the week, 5 or 6 hour days instead of 7. By the next week I was o.k. I have a desk job w/a lot of walking around the office. Everyone is different. Some people need a week or 2 to recuperate & some do not. During the 1st 2 weeks I did have port-area pain & shoulder pain, but it was manageable. Hope this helps.

[Guest TK in Texas W]

Hi I haven't had the surgery yet and I hope your doing much better by now but I have been talking to someone who just had the surgery and she said the gas pains are really bad in her shoulder area so mabey it's in a different area for you. But if it disappears suddenly it was probably gas from the surgery(so I have been told).

[Flutterby2b 0]

9 DAYS POST OP: I was banded Thursday, June 2nd and went back to work Wednesday June 8. I probably could have gone back on Monday June 6, but the extra 2 days really made a difference. Every day things are getting better.

I continue to have port site pain(very bearable.) I have noticed that sitting at the computer for long periods of time agitates the port site. So, I just take freq walks. I've been told no Advil because it can irritate the stomach lining. I found Adult strength liquid Tylenol at Walmart. Works better the the Lortab- I don't get the drugged feeling.

Guess you could say that we are all having very similiar experiences.