Post surgery discomfort????

I had my surgery on 3/14. For the last couple of days I have been having a very sharp pain on my left side. No where near the incisions. It's not a constant pain but if I move in a certain position I feel a sharp stabbing pain. I have no fever, don't feel nauseous and food seems to be coming out at the right end. I have a post op visit scheduled for tomorrow (Monday), but I'm wondering if anyone thinks I should go to the hospital tonight just in case? the pain is not getting worse and it's not constant, but when I twist or bend over it really hurts. At first I thought it might be a bowel obstruction but proved that wasn't it this morning. But now my mind is wandering and I'm thinking I might have ripped a stable or have a hernia. I have a very high tolerance to pain so I'm not always rational about these things. Everything I've read about hernia's or twisted colon usually comes with a lot of other symptons like vommiting and fever. Would appreciate hearing some replies.. Thanks, Judy Judy

Judy- Just on the safe side I would contact your Dr. 24/7 answering service. They should call back soon and tell him what is going on. Take care. Nita

Thanks Nita. I talked to them yesterday and they pretty much told me to judge for myself. Said if I had any nausea I should definitely go and if the pain worsened I should go. I was out of town when this happened and the nurse pretty much hinted that I should wait till I'm back in Indy so I could go to the hospital where I had my surgery (St. Francis). I'm just wishy washy when it comes to emergency room decisions. I have to feel *911* kind of pain before I go to an emergency room. My rationing is that it's not doubling over kind of pain and I have no other symptoms so I might be procratinating (since I have an appointment tomorrow). Sounds like I'm answering my own questions here......hate when I do that! Curious if anyone else had some additional pain a few weeks after RNY? Judy

Judy, I have had the same pain for the past few days also. It's in the lower left quadrant of my abdomen about 3-4 inches below my biggest incision. It's usually when I bend and twist and at times it's hurt so bad that I cried out. I have a high tolerance for pain also. My surgery was on 3/20. Let me know what they say at your post op visit. I've just been thinking that it's a part of the healing process. I haven't had any other symptoms and other than that pain I feel great! Thanks, Jenn

kewl jennifer...well not kewl that you have pain but kewl that i'm not alone. I've made a decision to just wait it out till tomorrow since it's not constant and don't have any other symptoms. As soon as I get home I'll post what the Dr. says (assuming they don't throw my butt back in the hospital). Oy Vey! That would really tick me off! Obviously the pain isn't that bad or I wouldn't be sitting here typing away. But yep, a really stabbing wincing pain when I get up from the couch or twist in a funny position. Sound exactly the same as you described and in the same area.... It kinda reminds me of those pains you would get when you were younger and would run really fast and long in gym class. know what I mean? it doesn't even hurt when I lie on my side or even press against the area with my hand. I'll keep ya posted! Hugs, Judy

What did you find out?

Judy, You are probably OK. I had that horrible left side pain too. Of course I thought it was an obstructed bowel, a hernia, a twisted colon, cancer.... Call your doctor to put your mind at ease, and follow up with us tomorrow to let us know that it really was nothing!!! Mine hurt so bad when I would get up off the couch!! It is most likely your body healing. I think you will be OK!!

sorry for the late response. I've been out of town for a while. Anywhoooo! My surgeon kind of giggled when I brought it up because he said about 80% of the patients come in for their first post-op and that's the first thing they ask about (the pain on the left side). He said not to worry it's normal and it's just scar tissue and sensitivity. He told me that was the area that was most invasive and where they use a particular instrument that stretches the "old stomach and intestine" in order to fit their laproscopic instruments. It has the most most amount of trauma, more stitches and staples. The pain subsided about a week later. It's still a tiny bit tender when I press on it. So guess what? I'm not going to press on it...LOL! Judy