HOW BAD WAS IT?

DEAR POSTOP FOLKS: AS I'M SITTING HERE PATIENTLY(NOT!) WAITING FOR INSURANCE APPROVAL, I'M WONDERING HOW BAD DID YOU THINK THE PAIN, POST OP,WAS?? DID YOU FIND ADEQUATE RELIEF WITH THE USUAL PAIN MEDS? DID MOST OF YOU HAVE DRAINS IN? HOW ABOUT AN NG TUBE? ANY ADVICE ON GETTING THROUGH THE IMMEDIATE POST OP PERIOD? THANKS FOR YOUR HELP,AND HOPE TO BE POSTING MY APPROVAL SOON!!! DEEANN R. P.S. I'VE HAD AN ABD. HYSTERECTOMY,HOW DOES THIS COMPARE?

Hi Deeann, I know its hard to wait, but I think this message board helps pass the time. I had and open RNY, no tubes in when I woke up, and no drain tube. The pain was bad the 1st 3-4 days. Then I was on Percaset (that is not how you spell it! The oral pain meds worked better for me. I was pretty much pain free by 1 week post-op. For me, having losts of visitors and my mom around helped take my mind off the pain, also to get up and moving ASAP. Good Luck...I'l pray for a quick approval Deb PAul

I did really well the first night post-op pain-wise cuz my epidural was working 100% but by the next day I had jarred it loose and they had to take it out. The IV meds didn't work near as good but I took every opportunity to get up and move around which helps a lot in the long run.I had to take liquid Lortab for pain(tylenol w codeine). It was nasty tasting stuff but took the edge off. Made me sleepy tho but your body needs rest to recover. I could only sleep for about 2 hours at a time. That went on for about the first 3 weeks. I think the anesthesia really messes with your sleep pattern. Nurses out there.... any input on that? I did not have a drain except for one they took out the next morning. I barely remember them taking that and my catheter out. I would guess this surgery is pretty comparable to the hysterectomy. By the time I went back to work 3 weeks later I was ready- I don't think I even got that tired. I knew the surgery would hurt; I have had other surgeries and pretty much knew what to expect. But since I had no complications I made noticeable improvement every day. Whether it made any difference or not, I made sure I was well hydrated post-op and stopped eating two days before.

I had surgery on the 13th of this month I went in with the frame of mind that yes it is going to hurt. I received an epidural and that was a god sent while it worked. I was later put on morphine by way of PCA because I also dislodged my epidural.. I cannot stay in a bed 3 hours after surgery I wanted up!!!! The morphine helped the pain till I was given Lori tab... All and all pain is hard for all of us to deal with and much less to think about... But it is manageable. I also had a NG tube in when I awoke and yes it is uncomfortable but manageable as well Chap Stick really helped my dry lips!!! Good luck.. Tiffany