Is this normal pain after surgery?

Well, I'm finally on the other side. Had Lap on Feb 9th. Was doing okay in the hospital but my left side under breast was quite sore. I actually walked out of the hospital which was a long walk. But after the 2 hour ride home and all the bumps on the road I really got sore. Have trouble getting out of the chair. Must hold my left upper front side tight in order to lift myself up. Is this normal? When will it pass. Also entire front of stomach is black and blue. Have others experienced this? I believe all my gas pains have passed and I'm eating pretty well but the pain on the left side is almost unbearable. Any suggestions on how to help this? Thanks to all for all your support

I'm not a doctor so I can't say what is going on... With that being said - My guess is that you are experiencing some significant gas pain. With LAP procedures you would never guess how much carbonixe/air that is pumped into your body. I personally think my dh had a better recovery from his RNY-Open than I did from my RNY-LAP. Really -- the LAP pain for ANY surgery is horrible. It will take a few days. Crap it was 2 weeks before I could walk anywhere w/o getting winded. I thought for sure I had air in my dang lungs. Bubbles can/will get stuck in your shoulders. I remember calling the Coordinator at Dean Clinic thinking I was having heart failure I had such horrible chest and shoulder pain. I was assured that it was from the LAP part of the surgery w/the air and such. Hang in there. Each day does get better. Gala 305/190/150- 7 months and 115 lbs later I have 40 more to go.

Lap what? Lap RNY, lapband? which surgery did you have? If you had the band, the tenderness may be around the port. Remember the pushed and prodded most parts of your abdomen. I wasn't really black and blue, but swore they had prodded parts on the other side and all.

Thanks everybody for your response. I called my doctor and they tell me these pains are perfectly normal as that is the site where tools were entered to work on everything. It had something being poked around in there for 2 hours. I guess that explains it. I guess I'll use my meds and be patient.

Barb, I had surgery the day before you and have been experiencing the exact same pain. It is gas pain and I found that if I grind up two tablets of Beano prior to eating for the day, I dont experience the pains under my left breast. Im sure we do have some pain due to surgery but this is truly gas pain. Instead of pain medications, try the Beano, you might be surprised at the results. How are you doing otherwise? I saw the Dr. today and am down 30 pounds. Only a billion more to go!!! LOL! Good luck! Sandi Coyle