Vena Cava filter in, now Surgery Tues. and some ????

Well I had a extractible vena cava filter put in yesterday.  This was my first surgery ever and was a good run through for the lap/RNY on Tuesday.  I am now familiar with the pre-op room and procedures and then being wheeled into the surgery room.  I felt great after the procedure and offered the anestesiaolgist (sic) $100 bucks if he could make me feel that good after the RNY. What can I expect when I first open my eyes after surgery.  What will I feel?  A lot of pain instantly or does that come on as the drugs wear off?  Just some thoughts about the first few hours post-op would help me get my mind focused would be apprecieated.

Jason, It is hard to know how you will feel, but, for many people, pain is not a real problem, especially at first. If you experience pain, tell your doc or the nurse - don't try and "tough it out". For me, the worst part was the anethesia. Some people get sick, but there are meds that will control that. Tell your doc/nurse how you feel. Best wishes. Joe

I had my lap RNY three weeks ago last thursday.  I can remember the pre-op, even though the nurse told me I wouldn't, because they were using Versed on me, which causes short-term amnesia.  I remember being wheeled into the OR, and having to scoot from the pre-op bed onto the table.  The next thing I remember is sort of waking up in recovery, asking if it was A) done, B) was performed lap, not converted to an open, and C) where my glasses where.  The next thing I can remember is being wheeled down a corridor and into my room. I had almost no significant pain after the surgery -- frankly, at NO time during this entire process was the pain any worse than when I had my wisdom teeth out, and most of the time much better.  I got a little nausea when the nurses got me up to walk around the first night, but they put something into my IV which took care of it right away.  Otherwise, no problems at all. I've said this several times on this forum -- the pre-op nurse told me to pump the morphine into myself as much as possible, and it worked really well for me.  I was able to stop using liquid lortab the day after I came home (it was SO nasty tasting) and just switch to OTC liquid tylenol. The facility where I had mine done, Barix in Ypsilanti, Michigan, was fantastic, and the staff was really helpful, so they took good care of me.

You are well on your way now.  And, don't worry, you won't feel a thing.  They will give you morphine.

My worst pain was from the largest incision site where it was stapled. Kept telling the nurse I was in pain, soon the drugs started to work. Once in my room and the pump was hooked up and working I punched the button every 15 minutes and was up and walking about three hours after surgery. My first inclination was to tough it out, but based on the guys advice here, I used the pain meds and that is what allowed me to get up and moving.  pan head