Miserable after 3.5 weeks...is this normal??

I posted this on the mail RNY board but thought I would post it here too...as we are all still new at this. I had open RNY on Dec 11th. Every day I still ask myself "What in the heck have I done to myself?" I wake up many, many times a night with abdominal pain and discomfort and find it difficult to get into a comfortable position. I get tired very easily. I can't poop without a suppository. My incision and abdominal muscles have a searing, burning pain. Yesterday my husband and I went to Costco and we were there about 40 minutes when I thought I was going to pass out. Broke out in a sweat, dizzy, nauseated....had to go sit out in the truck with the windows down while Chris finished shopping and checked out. I don't know what's wrong with me and honestly, I'm scared. I hope I haven't caused myself to feel terrible the rest of my life. My next appointment with my surgeon is on the 9th. I nowhere near back to "normal". Sorry to be such a downer. PS - My surgeon must be really slow too because I was under between 8-10 hours. I was under by 7 AM and didn't wake up in recovery until after 6 PM. I asked him if I had any complications and why I was under so long. He said I had no complications and everything went fine. He says we are under so long because they take their time and check for leaks, etc. I say 8-10 because once I had the versed at 630 and being wheeled to the OR I was loopy. The surgeon said they spend the first hour or so padding the body/joints on the table and preparing. All I know is, it was after 8 that night before I got into my room and the first time I looked at the clock it was 630...My husband said it was closer to 8ish hours (7:30-3:30) and the rest of the time I was in recovery...that they came and told him they were finishing up the surgery some time after 3. After reading here that sounds like a long time to me...but I have talked to other patients of his and they were in surgery as long or longer than me....some up to 13 hours!! I did stop taking all my pain meds and switched to tylenol last week. My husband says maybe I should take a vicodin at bed time, but I don't want to keep taking narcotics. That can't be good for you??

I'm sorry you're having such a hard recovery. I didn't have the open RNY, so I didn't have the same experience as you. I know with the open, the recovery time is longer. they cut through much more ie. muscles. Even though your appt. is not until the 9th, I would call your DR. and make sure your recovery pain is normal. As for the "What in the heck have I done to myself?" I know I still experience that. I've heard that is normal for the first few months as we adjust to the surgery. Hope everything gets better for you. Good Luck and God Bless Sara

Hang in there! I had lap RNY, and still have searing pain in my lower left side, I call it my Demon Child/Alien....I've been told it's normal. Am I an MD? nope. I did have my check up yesterday tho, and the clinic told me to relax, it takes up to 4 wks for the lap RNY, and 6-8 for the open RNY. My close friend had the open RNY, and her incision made her miserable for some time. She couldn't sleep comfortably for a long time, I remember that. As far as length of surgery, I haven't a clue...I was under 3.5 hrs, and in recovery for 1 hr after that, in my room 5 hrs after I walked into the hospital. I had a huge team tho, the surgeon, 2 P.A.s (surgical physician assistants), and 2 other anesthesia folks....plus the nurses, etc. I was amazed and remember smiling at the team as they all started on setting up my arms, and then I was out like a light. As a lap RNY candidate, I read everyday about how some people are biking 3 weeks later, etc. First, it's 20 degrees here in MN, so that's not gonna happen for me for about 6 months, and second, I try not to compare my recovery to others, as we are all different. The LAP Band folks are up and running after what seems like 2 days! I met a LAP Bander at my swallow test the next day after surgery, and he said he was going back to work in 3 days! I met him again yesterday at our clinic, both of us are 17 days post op, and her had been at work for 2 weeks....he wasn't kidding! I dunno how they do that... Ok, I have rambled enough, for sure. So, best to you, and keep on truckin'. Megan

I'm sorry you are having so much pain. My pain has been psychological. I had the lap rny though. I definately think you should still be taking the pain meds. You will not become addicted as long as you still have pain. A good night sleep makes all the difference in the world. Good luck. Sadie

Hi, It seemed like I was in the OR for a long time too. I had Lap RNY. My surgery started about 10am and it was until 4pm that I was in my room. I dont know how long I stayed in recovery. As for the burning/searing pain. I had that about 2 weeks after and even posted here about it. It was the most uncomfortable thing I had ever experienced and it seems like someone was pouring acid into the inside of my stomach every time I sat down, stood up, leaned over, etc. And one night, I laid on my stomach and COULD NOT get back up because the burning pain was soooo bad. It took me about 20 minutes to get the nerve to get up thru the pain and I hurt for about another hour or 2 after that. When I asked my dr about it, he said it is normal and to TAKE YOUR MEDS!! that is why we have them. I am the same way, didnt want to get addicted. Don't be a superwoman, take it at night before bed if you are in pain, that makes all the difference in the world. When I came home from my dr, I resumed my pain meds and even got scared that I would run out. I have like 1 dose left but I no longer need it. You had OPEN RNY, you should expect to feel this pain for a few weeks longer than someone who had it lap. Give yourself a break. Take your meds. If you no longer have pain, stop taking them. Make sure you are getting enough to eat, you need food for fuel and make sure you are taking it SLOW!! We had major surgery, even though I feel good, I still have to stand up or get up slowly, or I get major lightheaded. Good luck to you and keep us posted. Angela

Hi, Delana... just dropped in here because my angelette, nancy H., had her surgery in dec.... Saw your post and wanted to say...OUCH. I didn't have open RNY, but I did have an open hysterectomy, and it hurt like the devil for quite a few weeks. So...that pain might be normal. I remember, too, needing to lie down in the car once on a Sam's Club trip with friends!! Just didn't have the energy postop to handle it!! Still, keep checking in w/your doc about how you are doing. And, yes, the surgery time seems very long.... even my open hyster. was only 2 1/2 hours long!! Best wishes for a full healing and a great new life!! Lori