HAVE QUESTIONS - PLEASE HELP!

I had my surgery 3 weeks ago today. I had lap rny and things have been going ok. I started back to work last monday and I have been taking things slow. Here's my problem. I have this HORRIBLE pain in my abdomen. It's above my belly button and just to the right. It only hurts when I sit up for long periods of time, when I try to stand up and or if I try to walk too fast. I called the Dr's office and they said that it's a "Healing Pain" and it would eventually go away. Well When? When is this obnoxious, painful, bothersome pain going to go away? I'm sick of being on this pain medicine. I'm sick of not being able to get around very well. My manual from the hospital says I'm supposed to be walking about 30 minutes a day by now...but how? I can barely get up from my chair without screaming. Has anyone else had this pain?

I had some abdominal pains also post op, I had my surgery open rny. Are you wearing a binder? My binder helped ease the pain, if you are not wearing a binder ask your surgeon if that is possible and see if that helps. Could you have a hernia? Also is it possible you have already overdone it by lifting something too heavy or used the vacuum cleaner and such? I did and that's how I ended up hurting so much. Hope this was of some help Stacey W

With LAP RNY you don't have to wear a binder and I haven't done any house work. I'm not sure about the hernia thing. The Dr said everything was normal when I went to my 10 day appt. I'm just at a loss. Maybe I just need to stay in bed and quit trying to push myself so much.

I was told to take it really slow, like BABY STEPS. This is a new beginning and a new way of living and it takes a while for your body to adjust. Plus, everyone handles pain and healing differently. I think you answered your own question a little.....slow down. Take more time to rest and not overdo it and see if that helps. If not call the DOC. Hugs

Hey Stacy, hang in there. I was getting that kind of pain too, and then one day about six weeks out, I realized it wasn't there anymore. Dr. Zeni moves lots of stuff around with his magic tools and it takes awhile for it to settle back comfortably. Are you taking Actigall? I wore my baggiest pants to keep some of the pressure off my guts and became a good sloucher.

After surgery i was on very strong meds which made me hurt exactly where you're talking about. My surgeon gave me prevacid, which works great. I still have these pains if i don't take it. I know we arent supposed to get acid built up, but i do. Pay attention to what you eat too, it could be dairy. Hugs Linda

Stacy, I had a pain like that around the same time you are at. If your doc says it's ok, then maybe it is just overdoing it. I had so much energy I did too much, just walking around, and I had the pain. I would take it easy and see if that helps. As said before, you went through a major extreme makeover inside, so give it some time to settle. Try to walk for just 10 minutes at a time, then rest. If it keeps up, I would insist on going in and seeing your surgeon, even if it's just for some peace of mind.

Hi Stacey, Sorry you are feeling bad....I also had the rny done lap, and i was sent home with a binder, although I know some aren't. It DEFINATELY helped me, just holding everything still. I don't know how "big" you are in the tummy, but just the hanging of the fat, the weight from that with the incisions, made it really uncomfortable without the binder. Maybe just give one a try....??? I bet you'll feel better. Best of luck! Theresa

I had LAP RNY, too. I had this horrible pain on my left side. It hurt to breathe! I also had that same pain in the same area you are talking about. I ended up going to the ER and my surgeon did a CAT scan just to make sure. I did not have a hernia and was told that it was deep muscle tissue healing, hence, healing pain. It was in the area where they use the tools to really move things around. They gave me a shot of morphine just before I left the ER and that eased the pain. It never came back....in that spot. It did return a few weeks later on the left side, but wasn't nearly as intense and didn't last as long. So, if you are too concerned and the pain doesn't subside soon, I would contact your surgeon, just to be safe. Good luck! Tina

Hi Stacey, Sorry your'e having the pain, but I think it is just healing pains. The pains I was having have stopped, but I encourage you get a binder from your doctor if possible. I had lap RNY 2 weeks ago and it helped a great deal with the pain to have that binder. It tends to keep things in place. I wore it everday up until a few days ago...now I don't have the pain, everthing just feels tight in the abdominal area like I've been doing sit ups. Everybody heals at different rates and I think that you just have to give yourself that time. If it persists though, keep checking with your doctor......Take care. Kori