Nov 30th and scared...

Im starting to get nervous about surgery.. Im having lap RNY.. can anyone give me an idea of how bad the pain will be when I wake up>? Do most wake up feeling ill? Thanks shelly

Hey Shelly...first of all, congratulations on your upcoming surgery. Pain is such a subjective thing, it's hard to say how much it might bother you personally, but do not hesitate to take your pain meds! There is no sense in suffering needlessly when relief is available. Studies have shown that people heal faster when their pain is kept under control. I have never had lap surgery, but I've heard from many who have had, that the gas pain is more uncomfortable than the incision pain, and the best way to get rid of that is to walk, and let 'er rip when you need to. Post surgery nausea is very common, usually due to the anesthesia I think, just let your nurse know, there will be meds to take care of that too. Do whatever you need to do to make it easier for you, this is no time to try and act tough. Doctors prescribe meds for your comfort, use them if you need to, and don't wait til the pain is unbearable to ask for meds, it's much faster and easier to get the pain under control if you don't let it get out of control to begin with. I've read post on the main message board that say people have had very minimal pain with their lap surgeries, and I wish the same for you. Best of luck...take care of YOURSELF as well as you would anyone else you love. You deserve it!

Shelly- First of all congrats on your upcoming surgery. I had lap RNy on 11/15 and I did wake up in pain but the nurses were great and gave me some meds. You will not feel like jumping out of bed and running a marathon. I think if you prepare yourself for there to be pain you will be better off. Now is it excruciating, no, mine never got above a 7 but again pain is subjective. I agree you should take your meds, now is not the time to be a hero and try roughing it out. Having had it done lap I did have alot of pain with the gas. That hurt more than the incisions. I found walking did help with that but there would be a few gas pains that would make me catch my breath. As for incision pain, when you are trying to sit up or coough, or have the hiccups (as I was so blessed to have post op) hold a pillow to your tummy, trust me it helps!!!!!!! I did get sick the first time I got out of bed and had dry heaves, and then one other time but it was actually related to the morphine. Once I was off morphine and on vicodin I was doing MUCh better!!! Good luck to you!!!! Let us know how you make out. Janet

Shelly, I don't know about your surgery, but I had lap RNY and had no pain... none, nada. Even the IV I was afraid of didn't hurt. It was all over with before I knew it and I sat up in a chair for an hour and walked the halls twice that evening. I hope your stay and surgery are as easy.xoxo