Still have pain??

Hi everyone. I'm wondering if any of you still have quite a bit of soreness yet? I'm a little over 2 weeks post-op and it almost seems like my left side pain is getting a bit worse. I'm not sure if I'm overdoing things (I'm back to work this week..but only 1/2 days) or if this is normal. I was even able to sleep on my stomach for a few days and now there is no way I can do that. Any idea when it's supposed to get better?? I don't see my do****il next week, so thought I'd check here first. Thanks!

Amy, I had surgery the same day you did, and I am pain free. I have been for a week. I think you should call your surgeon. That's what I was told. You always want to report any changes. That way you can put your mind at ease. Linda

I am four weeks out and still have occaisional pain on the left side. I would'nt worry. That's the place where the stapler and all the instruments go in and thus, the spot which got most of the "abuse". I think it just takes a long time for it to recover. Also, right after surgery I noticed that the skin around that spot was actually numb for a while and now the numbness is going away. Sandy

I would check with your surgeon. I was fine then starting have alot of pain, and I have a puss pocket in my belly that they have to drain. It was bigger than my new pocket, so it can't hurt to find out. do you have a temp???

Hi Amy, I had surgery 2 days after you and I was really concerned this week because I am having some real pain on my right side. The rest of me is healed up and pain free but there is one spot where it really hurts when I move certain ways. I called the nurse practitioner at my surgeon's office and she said this is very normal. I was worried I had over done it and gotten a hernia! My surgeon goes in through the right side instead of the left so this is where all of the instruments are passed through. I even have an indentation from where they removed a little tissue underneath to make more room for the tools. The nurse explained the pain like this.... you know when you are a kid and you scraped your kneee? Then it started to scab over. Remember that feeling when you still had a big scab and you bent your knee and it felt like things were ripping? Well, that is essentially what is going on on the inside of your abdomen. I thought that was a pretty good analogy. Good luck! Shellie

I just started back at work myself....only a few hours a day, and I noticed that because I was moving more, I was stretching that left side, and now it hurts again when I bend. Im not going bac****il Monday. Im still not able to sleep on my stomach. But my surgeon told me that the lower left incision takes 2-6 weeks to heal.

Thank you all for your help. It helps a lot to hear other people's experiences! I am also going to take tomorrow off and go back to work on Monday, maybe I just did too much. I read profiles of people who are walking quite a bit after surgery so I think I should be able to handle work, but I suppose everyone is different. I don't have a fever and except for the pain I feel ok, so I'm sure it will just take time. I guess I need a little more patience! Thanks again so much!

Hi Amy - I definitely noticed an increase in soreness when I returned to work (at 10 days post-op). It wasn't severe, just a bit more tenderness, especially on the left side, which I understand is pretty common. I still get a little twinge occassionally, when I bend or twist. Do check with your doc, though, if it seems overly painful. Always better to be safe! Cheers, Tara

Amy- I had surgery the same day as you. I am generally pain free. However, after I walked the first time my tummy was just generally sore. (I think too much bouncing...now that's a bad mental image ) I also get really sore if I sleep on my side for any length of time. Have you been lifting stuff at work? I saw you were taking off until Monday. Probably a good idea. I hope your pain free again soon! Linda

Amy I would let your Dr. know but I wouldn't worry if yu don't have a temp. I had surgery on the 25th of July and am still really sore on the left side as well as feeling really bloated. My surgeon told me it's because the main instrument goes in there and they do manipulate the abdominal muscle so it is very sore. He told me this too will pass. Good luck Lori M