surgery question

Hi - I am having surgery in 10 days.... would anyone be willing to share with me their experiences during those first few days after surgery? I have a friend who just had it and is in tremendous pain. She can't sleep laying in bed (flat) - she has to sleep upright in a chair. She said the pain is a lot worse then she expected. I'm also very excited about surgery, but as it gets closer, the nerves are kicking in too. Any sharing would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

i wasnt in to much pain... as a matter of fact... i slept on my tummy the first night home

Karyn, I'm not sure which surgery you (and your friend) are having. I had laproscopic RNY and the night of my surgery I was in a good bit of pain in my chest and left shoulder from the "gas" used during the surgery. It was controlled with the Demoral pain pump (I'm allergic to Morphine). I had almost no pain from the actual incision areas. I felt some "pulling" but very little pain. I stopped using the pain pump on the 2nd day in the hospital b/c I just didn't need it. I had bought liquid Tylenol to use for pain after I came home but only took it once, when I arrived home from the hospital b/c the ride home was a bit jarring. After that I didn't need anything for pain. To make your life easier when you first get home from the hospital, try to stock up on the foods you're allowed to eat and if needed, move things to somewhere you won't have to "stretch" or "bend/lift" to get them. Good luck with your weight loss journey! Vickie J.

As I remember there wasn't too much pain and only pushed my morphine drip button once upon waking up. The pain I had 4 days later was a Hernia which couldn't wait a few months and was strangulating my intestines. But after my same surgeon fixed that there was still no pain. It seems were all different inside as well as to how we each handle levels of pain. Mike

I'm three weeks post-op. I remember quite a bit of discomfort around day three. The doc had prescribed liquid pain meds. Someone told me to take them routinely until the first bottle was gone then as needed when I started the second bottle. One I did that I was fine. I did sleep in the recliner for the first two weeks because the G-Tube was so uncomfortable. I understand that most docs don't make you keep the G-tube for weeks like mine does. Actually, most people have told me that they didn't have to come home with one at all. You will have some pain, but the end result is worth it. Getting nervous right before your surgery is absolutely normal. Before my surgery I started thinking "maybe I should just try harder to follow a diet and then I won't need surgery." But really, why would one more diet make a difference. I've tried my whole life. For me this was the only answer so any discomfort that I have to go through is worth it. Good luck. Keep us posted.

Thanks so much to all of you - I feel better already! Sorry I didn't say which surgery - I'm having gastric bypass on Dec. 13. Wanda, what you wrote is exactly what I was saying to myself.... maybe I shouldn't do this and just try harder at a diet - any diet. But you are also right and I know it, that nothing has worked my entire life, and this is what I have to do to try to make myself healthier and improve the quality of my life. I really appreciate all of the tips! Please keep them coming - I will be checking in several times a day. Thanks again! I'm so thankful to all of you and this website.

Hello, For me the 1st week SUCKED...I not gonna sugar coat it.. I was in a lot of pain, but kept up on my pain pills when I got home. The hardest part in the hospital was getting up, even in the hospital bed, it hurt as if you were ripping your sides. I had an open gastric bypass. But every day gets a little better. I am a week and a half out & have never regretted this surgery. I was in more pain than expected at first, but after looking at the scale it gets better. Good Luck to You!!! I never slept on a chair, but got all my extra pillows & slept sleeping upright. The first few nights are hard, even w/ the sleeping pills I took. Weight of Surgery 259 Current Weight 236

I had a laparoscopic RNY two years ago. The first day in the hospital I was pretty loopy, second day my pain was managed very well by my Morphine pump. Third day was horrible. No pain meds (the heparin lock was clogged) and the gas pain in my left shoulder was pretty bad. Pain got better as I "moved through it" by walking and walking and walking. At home, recliners were my friend. When I wasn't in the recliner in the living room or walking, I was sleeping or reading in the recliner in my bedroom. I went home with a g-tube, so that was the biggest reason why I wasn't able to sleep on my side or tummy. My surgeon doesn't even send folks home with a g-tube routinely anymore. I second what was posted about situating everything within reach before you even leave for the hospital. Also have your meds filled and ready to rock by the time you get home. Even though I had discomfort, my RNY was nothing on the pain meter compared to having my gallbladder out. Best wishes for surgery!! Kristen

I had surgery 11/29. Next morning I was dressed, up and around. I have minor soreness where stiches are located. Liqud Tylenol fixed that. Michael

The first day at the hospital I felt pretty well. The only discomfort was the NG tube in my nose (which they removed the next morning after the x-rays confirmed everything was fine). The second day, however, I felt pretty painful in the stomach area. Walking helped, and really, when looking back, getting in and out of bed was the worst. At home my husband put a wedge under the mattress to raise my head, and I elevated my knees with a stiff pillow. That way my stomach was never stretched, or hurt. By about day five, most of the discomfort was gone and moving about was much easier. Congratulations on your upcoming day of surgery! You won't regret it. Just be patient with the newness of your eating requirements, especially the pureed phase - yuk! Don't stress too much with protein and liquid. At first it is hard, then suddenly it is not. Do your very best however. Good luck to you on this exciting adventure! Annette