Surgery 7/14/08

I had surgery about 1 week ago now and am still in a lot of pain. I want to be able to exercise and at least walk bit but I still have a sharp pain in my mid left side of my stomach and in the back of that same area. I also have not not a BM, is that normal. I am on clear liquids and have been since the day before surgery. I thought I should be feeling better by now????? Mahalo, Natalie

Hi Natalie, try sipping water all day long! I would say you might not be getting enough liquid. Also, call your Dr. It doesn't hurt to ask questions! I hurt also the first week, but, started feeling lots better by a week and half. Give it time. Dee

It is perfectly normal not to have had a bm yet - there's nothing going down that would contribute to making you have to go. I was lucky - didn't experience much pain, but they say it's different for everyone. Your doctor should be able to prescribe something that will help if the pain in unbearable. But do know it will get better. Right now you feel very weak. Every day will get better and better. It helps to make yourself walk. When I first got home, my honey insisted I walk the dog every morning. I didn't get very far at first, but I could tell I was going further each day. At night, we'd go to a park - I usually ended up on a bench to wait for them on their way back because I couldn't get too far, but I think all this trying helped speed my recovery up. I'm two months past surgery, and I feel fabulous. I haven't had this level of energy and strength for years and it feels good, so just hang in there - it will get better! Good luck! Carin

My surgery was on the 10th and I didn't have my first BM until the 16th. Did your doctor give you a stool softener? Also, are you drinking your protein? That's my biggest problem and it seems to be an indicator in how I feel. When I walk the stomach pain is less than when I sit or lay down all day. I hope this helps.

Hi Natalie..I had my surgery on the 16th. So it has only been 5 days for me but I did mange at least one bm. My doctor's said should I not have one naturally then I could use Milk of Magnesia. The bottle says to take 2-4 tablespoons with 8 oz of water which is of course too much for us. I called the doctor and was advised to take 2 1/2-3 tablespoons of the milk as well as sip water with it to chase the taste away. I did just that in the late afternoon and by that evening was passing serious gas. The next morning I had bm..course haven't had one since but can take more milk if needed. I would try that since I also noticed when I did have the bm that my stomach hurt more..And good luck with your loss.

Hi Nat I had mine on 14th too! walk walk walk you may just have alot of gas also try gas x strips lifesaver for me...im doing well...and sip sip sip I get a wee bit of pain maybe not pain on lower leftside im sure its just the healing process,,,Try to walk around house little steps...