12 Day Post-op Gastric Bypass Horrible Left Side Pain

I just had my surgery 6/23/14, lapband revision to gastric bypass. After the surgery I went home with my jackson-pratt drain and everything was fine. I had the typical soreness, but I was able to get around fine. On 7/1/14 I went for my follow-up appt and drain removal. Everything was healing fine, it really hurt when they removed the drain but I was still able to get around fine. That same night I began to experience a left side pain that I can only describe as someone stabbing me with a hot poker. I had never experienced a stabbing pain that burned like fire. The doctor said there was no sign of infection and that everything was healing nicely. I had read other people say that they were told it was internal stitches that pull on the weight of my stomach. I do get relief when I hold that side in, so I ordered a stomach binder to keep that area stable. Has anyone experienced this pain? It is the only thing that is keeping me from getting around, and preventing me from doing any kind of walking.

If the pain is so bad you are unable to walk, I think you need to go to the ER.  You can call 911 for an ambulance if you aren't able to walk to the car.

The pain has been subsiding but it comes back when I'm up too long, then it gets worse. I really think it is internal stitches pulling because I get relief from holding that area stable. It is getting better but I wanted to know if there was anyone else who had this problem post-op. You are right, I'm a nurse and definitely have no problem going to the E.R. LOL. I came very close the first day. Thanks for responding.

I had really bad pain on my left side as well. Did they give you some pain meds? If I take the pain meds I can walk around without any problems. 

Yes, I still have the Tylenol with codeine that was ordered post-op. I do take it when it gets really bad. It helps. I just want to know when does this pain end, it's like when I have a good day, this pain comes and knocks me back on my butt and I end up staying in bed. This pain is definitely my nemesis.  

Keep eye on that pain and temp! I had a leak and u want to catch that right away!

No temp. The area is not tender to touch, the pain comes if I move the wrong way and the internal pulling triggers the dreaded "hot poker" pain. If I had a leak, wouldn't the pain be there all the time?

You don't get a big gold star for suffering;  take the meds. Honestly, do nurses think they are invulnerable to pain???  If it goes too long, talk to your surgeon.

Yes, the left side, under the ribs, is where the major surgery takes place, so that's going to be susceptible to pulling.  Use the pillow or the binder and you should be ok.

I take PLENTY of pain meds, but when that pain feels like rearing it's ugly head it comes even if I have taken pain meds. Trust me, I have a low pain tolerance so I have NO problem taking my pain medications. You're right, the pillow does give relief when I use it to push that side in. My main reason for posting was to find out from those who had experienced this pain about how long it lasts. Thanks for your response. 

Walking aggravates my left side but if I take my pain meds I'm ok. I also gently rub around the site where the drain was removed and use ice to help with the pain. One thing that really helped me to feel better... Going to the bathroom.