C-Section and pain

I am approved and ready to have gastric bypass. My date is April 19th. I am scared to death, but excited at the same time!! But I was wondering if anyone can compare the pain of a c-section to the pain of the gastric bypass. Which is worse? I was totally off pain meds with my c-section by the 5th day, and out going to the store around that time as well. I am also hoping to be able to go back to work after 2 to 3 weeks. Is this realistic? Any advice would be helpful!! Thanks!!

I have not had any kids, but I had an ovarian cyst removed with the typical c-section cut. In my opinion, that was much worse than the pain after gastric bypass. I was out of work for 2 weeks after my bypass and that was more than enough time for me. Granted, everyone is different, but 2 weeks was plenty for me.

I see Dr. Singh is your surgeon. I absolutely adore him! You are in great hands!!! Good luck!

Thanks!!! Some say GB is worse, and some say that the c-section is worse. I just am worried about the pain. I am super scared, but I know that Dr Singh is great and he will take great care of me!! Thanks for your input!!

I have not had a c-section, but I was in some pain and used my pain meds for about 7 days - the first two to three I used them during the day, and the next 3-4 only at night.

About day 7 I was still pretty tired and wore out easily, but the pain was minimal...on a scale of 0 to 10 it was about a 1 all the time.  I went back to work after two weeks.

compared to my two sections, or my lap gall bladder removal this was a cake walk!

I was off pain meds with this by day 2. I was driving by day 6!

I was back at work in 3 weeks, hubby was back in 2.  

I took the prescription pain pills for 2 nights, then it was super strength tylenol for another 3-4; back to work in 2 weeks without any issues.

Thank you all sooo much for the information!! That helps my mind a little. I seriously think I will be ok, as with the c-section I felt like my uterus was falling out, lol. plus a huge cut. I am hoping I too can be back to work in two weeks, so that really makes me happy!!

Well, I never had a C-section but did have a hysterectomy.  That was a breeze and figured the lapband & hernia repair would be, too.  The big difference was the lapband & hernia repair was done laprascopically.  They inject gas, to keep you open where they're working and that was very painful, for me, afterwards!  I wasn't expecting it.  I have a high pain tolerance, but was in terrible pain.  NOT everyone experiences it this way, but really was surprised and think it's better to be aware it's a possibility, so you won't be surprised or think something is wrong.  I'd do it 10 times more, because second to divorcing my first husband, it was the best decision I've ever made!  If you have pain, it really goes away.  Most I've spoken to, don't have the pain.  Good luck with your surgery!  It's the beginning of the rest of your life!
Ginger

Hello,
I have had 2 C-Sections and with each one, I was back to work in 2 weeks. 
With my lap band, I went into the office after 4 days just to catch up on some emails and take some work home. I was still very stiff, but did OK.
I am now 9 days out and feel great, no pain at all.
I did not have to to use my morphine drip and they made me take a pain pill at the hospital just to make sure I could tolerate it.
I haven't had to take anything for pain at all.
I think I did better with the band than I did my C-Sections.
You just have to know your limits and abide by the rules and you will do fine.
Good luck and let us know how you do.
Audra

I wasn't going to answer this as I had a VSG not an RNY.  But I had an emergency C-section (cut from belly button to bikini line) to have my baby (many moons ago...)  and in 2002 I had a full hysterectomy done at bikini line.  Let me tell you... both of those surgeries were 100x's worse than the laproscopic sleeve!  Yes, anytime the stomach muscles are cut there is pain or discomfort at laughing, sneezing, coughing, moving certain ways! Because we use the stomach muscles for so much more than we realized.  But they weren't even comparable to me!  

So assuming you're able to have it done laproscopically and not 'open' and you've already experienced a C-section, than this surgery will be a breeze for you, barring complications of course. 

Everyone heals differently, but it's not unreasonable to assume you could go back in 2 weeks.  I took the max my surgeon would authorize, 7 weeks.  Because I have good benefits at work, full pay... but mostly because I have osteo-arthritis of both hips, severe in the left.  I had my VSG to loose weight (and keep it off) or the ortho surgeon wouldn't approve hip replacement.  So I couldn't walk around or exercise as most post-op. 

I hear though, the more you do walk around and once approved, begin exercise routine, the better and quicker you'll heal!

Best wishes to you on a successful surgery, speedy recovery and a healthier, happier and thinner, YOU!