Question About Open surgery

I had my surgery 7/18 and have about 32 staples, I'm scheduled to see Dr. Roye on Fri 7/28 for the removal of them and wanted to know if there is any pain involved on getting these suckers out. Another questions is, is it safe to sleep on my side as long as I don't feel much disconfort? Any sleep trouble due to the anesthesia? I would much appreciated someone to answer my q's. Overall is going well, having a little trouble to all the meds that i need to take for now, I not used to takin this many meds specially crushed and powders. Thank you!

Hi Al: I had my gallbladder removed 2 years ago and had 16 staples. I was really afraid of having them out, thinking it was gonna hurt. I'm such a wimp, but it didn't. I haven't had my surgery yet, so I can't answer about the sleep trouble. Good luck.

Hi Al, I didnt have an open rny, mine was lap, but if you ask your question on the main message boards, I know you will get many answers right away. By the way, how was your stay in the hospital? Carol B

Hay Al!!! Great to have you over on this side my friend!!! Don't worry about the staples, its a breeze! I had surgery on my abdomen back in 2000 and had 32 staples myself. I wouldn't even look at them the first few days. Anyways we get this vision of staples stapling paper with the ends curled under and wonder how the heck are they gonna take them suckers out! Well the ends of the staples don't turn in like they do on paper, they go straight in and stay straight. Like a horseshoe, so no tugging poking or prodding, just some tweezers to take them out. Out of my 32 staples I only felt the tug of 3 that were around my belly button. As far as the sleeping I can't really see why it would be a problem as long as your comfy. I'm a left side sleeper and having surgery done with the scope they go in on the left side so I was bummin for a bit. I'd say try the main board too, sometimes it takes a while for a response but there is lots of insight there..... Hope this info helps to put you at ease... Good Luck!! ~NaDene~

Hi NaDene, thank you for the great welcome to the loosing side, I feel great today and had the visiting nurse over and she could not believe that I was only 7 days post-op. I'm having a rough time with the medications but after reading what other people have trouble with I should be the last one complaining. Thanks for all you support and the nice comments.

hi al. there's relatively little pain with staple removal. [i had 56!] just make sure before you leave - that dr. roye gets them all!! he left a few in, and i think it's because he was distracted with the student in the room. i'm a side sleeper, too - and if you can - sleep in a recliner. the less pressure you put on your incision - the less likely you will be to open it up or create a weakness in the inner tissue. that's trying to heal, and even though the outside skin looks healed - the inner tissue is not. if that doesn't heal correctly, then you're setting yourself up for a possible hernia. if you can't sleep in a recliner - try to make one in your bed with a lot of pillows. if you still can't sleep like this - try to put a pillow or two under your stomach where the incision is. you just want to take as much pressure off as you possibly can! congratulations on making it to the other side! can't wait to see your progress!! kristen

Hello Al, I am glad that you are doing well. I would like to comment on the sleeping thing. for a few weeks after surgery I would wake up gasping for breath in the middle of the night. I did not have sleep apnea and was told that this was a side effect of the anesthesia. It went away though. Also the pain meds made me stay up alot at night. Kristin