Not feeling so great...

Bub, I feel for you…. You’re still in those first couple of weeks. It’s Tough. Most everyone gets at Least a full week of- "What The Hell Did I Do To Myself?!?!?" All I have to offer is – It Does get easier each week. Things that’ll help right now? For that "trapped Gas feeling?" Most docs allow and even recommend Gas-X. and it does help. And, a little trick from my Dr. ? Lay on your left side with your knees slightly bent. A pillow between your knees. In this position, because the way our intestines are arranged, Gravity will aid the natural peristalsis of the intestines And the "Trapped Gas" will "Pass on Through" much quicker. When you can, Walk. The motion of walking also helps greatly. It is during this transition from the "Big Guns" Of IV pain meds, To the "Kinder, Gentler" oral pain meds, at home, That many people experience MOST of their pain. It’s that transition from "too much," To- "not quite enough," that is tricky. Do know that if you have moved off of the IV’s You are on your way to merely discomfort Rather than Pain, and it’s soon to pass. The Lortab elixir and the 2^nd most popular- Vicodin, as well as Hydrocodone, All increase your gassiness and constipation, So use them sparingly. Once you are home, Walking is one of the best Long range pain management tools and Since a lot of the pain will be from "trapped gas," The Walking targets the problem rather well. …(side note: All the ‘walking’ early on? …Is more about keeping bloodclots from forming in the legs …Than it is about getting "exercise." …It doesn’t have to be "physically challenging," just Done!) Once home, also try a simple Heating pad. Place it on your back and not on your Actual incisional area. The comfort from the heating pad comes from increasing your Blood flow in the area where applied, And increasing blood flow to your incisional area Could increase your odds of having a Seroma. (Blood or Fluid Trapped within tissue.) Another great pain reliever is a loved one willing To rub your hands or your scalp. Any such stimulation releases endorphins and causes You to just "feel better." Staying hydrated is another way to "feel better" faster. SF Popsicles are another helpful way to keep tha****er intake high. Do be on the lookout for any "New Pain" or increasing pain… Hot or red swelling at any of the incision sites And check your temp regularly. An infection Must not be messed with… Keep the Doc on speed-dial for any new developments. That- "feeling a little down?" Post-surgical Depression is common no matter What surgery you have. My doc puts all of his patients on an anti-depressant for the first 6 weeks post-op, As a regular course of action to prevent it. If you are feeling "Down," Call up the doc and ask for a little something to get you "Over the Hump" of post-surgical depression. Just explain how you feel, and most docs will call in a med. Don't let that linger around and grow into something Overwhelming.  Just nip it in the bud and move on. Feel free to Moan. That actually helps some. It’s less effective than distraction however. Watch something fun, rent a movie, surf the net, keep talking the spouse into massages, etc… Distraction is a valuable pain management technique. Hollar out here if there something we might be able to help you with… It’ll at least keep you occupied, and that’s half the battle… Hope you’re feeling better soon! Best Wishes- Dx