Post-op Pain - VSG - 6 Days After Surgery ?

I'd like to ask your opinions. Had to go off oxy. Undesirable side effects that I couldn't handle. Went to 2 t1 when required but this morning woke and I could barely walk to the bathroom which is 3 steps from my bed. Took a t2 and back in bed. The kind of pain that takes your breath away. I've also not had a bm since last Monday but am on meds. Anyone had similar pain? It's not to one area but rather the whole stomach. I'm going to call doctor when they open this morning and book to see my local doctor as the surgeon is 2 hours away.

Question is. .. how long did you have severe pain and when did you have your first bm?

I did not have VSG. I had RNY.

To be honest, I had very little pain associated with the actual surgery. I did have extreme pain when I experienced a bowel obstruction a few days after surgery but that's another story.

First BM was probably 8 days after surgery. Constipation has been a constant trial for me and I know for many others.

Are you taking Colace (stool softener)? Restoralax? Smooth Move Tea? I take a combination of things to keep my bowels moving. Colace, Restoralax and occasionally Lactulose.

I know your surgeon is 2 hours away however, your surgeon and your bariatric team are the people who have seen it all and know (almost immediately) what's going on. If there is a mechanical issue, they are the ones who are going to have to fix it. A lot of GP's haven't got the experience to deal with what you are describing here.

Keep us posted on how you get on today.

Thanks dear. I forgot about the tea one. Yes I'm on ducusate sodium as per the surgeon. I should habe mentioned I was gong to contact the surgeon first and tell them the issues. Hopefully they can advise my doctor what to do so i don't have to make the 2 hour trip each way .

I agree with Sweetride. I didn't experience a lot of pain postop and I went 8 days until I had a BM. I am still having a lot of issues that are very painful but I take 2 colace/ day and 2-3 Restoralax. It would be best if your surgeon could direct your GP or at least gave you over the phone instructions but if you think it is not normal - don't wait. Go to emerg.

Sounds like you're blocked up. I had VSG March 17th and I couldn't pass anything for over a week. My entire abdomen was swollen and painful. I ended up taking a fast acting lax (not supposed do I don't think but I was desperate) I now take Senokot 2-4 tablets maybe every 3rd day. I also make sure to drink all my fluids which is huge in keeping things moving.

Hope this helps :)

Hi kim,

I'm so sorry you are going through so much pain. I have no suggestions at all except to make sure you contact your doc and find out what's going on.

All the best to you...

Barb

How are you feeling today? Did you get in to see a Doctor yesterday?

Hello Barb. Yes got in to see doctor. Sent me for blood work. Started phase 2 for Guelph Hospital. Need to go slow. Cream of wheat was too thick and I ended up spitting out some. Still really tired, more like exhaustedand can only walk around for about 5 min at time . Will see what my hemoglobin results come back as. Thanks for asking. Sorry been sleeping a lot and just came back in here.

Kim

I had VSG May 14 and had sharp pain in area of largest incision for about10 days. Wearing and abdominal binder helped tremendously ( wish i had known about that sooner). Then at around day15, the pain started to subside and. I as able to stop painkillers altogether. My surgeon at the Hamilton centre (St. Joseph's) apparently makes very tight stitches in the layers below the skin and they hurt for quite a while. The incision has left a large dimple -- like a second bellybutton. But i i hope this gives you hope that the pain will ease soon. And for the constipation issue, i went 8 days before a BM, but found 1/4 cup prune juice a day put things right pretty quickly. Hope this helps.