3 days post-op, absolutley miserable

Well I had my RNY gastric bypass on Monday and came home yesterday. I am absolutely miserable and in a lot of pain!My main problem is I don't know if it's hunger pains kicking in from lack of solid food or just soreness from the incisions. Plus the Lortab Dr. Mo prescribed for the pain really isn't doing much of anything for me. It takes the edge off, but the pain comes back full force after about an hour.
I'm trying to get all the fluids in as well as the protein...but haven't even started back up with my vitamins.
Should I still be in pain? Should I call Dr. Mo and go back in? I don't know what to do and I can't think straight to figure it out.
Any help?

Call the doctor.  He may very well just assure you that what you're experiencing is normal, but you need to hear it from him or his office!  From what I've read on other new WLS posts is that pain is normal (sometimes it's gas pains).  I was lucky that I was able to do without any pain meds  - not that I felt great, but had no gas and just wanted to be able to drive myself ASAP. If you have experience with other pain meds that worked better for you in the past, ask Dr. Mo to change your prescription.

The doctors usually set hydration as your number 1 priority post-WLS, then the protein.  You'll make progress with the vitamins - keep trying to get them in, but you must stay hydrated and get the protein in.  Many people aren't able to immediately reach their doctor's goals, but you just keep trying as hard as you can.

You can do this and you'll be sooooo happy!

Let us know how it goes for you!

Cleo

I'd definitely call in, but i remember being fairly miserable my first days at home.  It will get better, i promise, lys

Good am Genevieve,

First things first call your surgeon. Next, you've just had major surgery. You're going to experience a lot of discomfort. The key components are walk, walk, walk and sip, sip, sip. For me, a lot of the discomfort was mainly gas build up from surgery. The more walking I did, the better I felt. Keep us posted! Hope you get to feeling a lot better in the coming days!

All best!

Definately call your surgeon first and foremost.  I can tell you that from my experience it most likely is gas pain.  Especially if you had a laproscopic surgery.  Remember that they pump you full of gas so that they can get to what they need without cutting the other organs around it.
If you walk, walk and walk some more and keep sipping, sipping and more sipping then it will get better.  Another thing to remember is that the third day after anything major (child birth, major surgery, car accident) is usually the worst anyway.  I was one of those that only took one pain pill post op and that was because I was driving almost two hours away from the hospital upon discharge.  I am not saying I was not in pain but I know that pain meds can (and usually do) cause constipation and I did not want this problem.  I figured that was more pain that I did not need or want.  Keep your chin up and you will be feeling better in no time!

Tam

Everyone else pretty much said exactly what I was going to say.  Hope you are feeling better soon.

I hope you you feel better soon. Walking and sipping is the key. It does get better, give it time.

Gwen

Hi Genevieve,

I also agree with what everyone else is telling you.  One other thing is make sure to pay attention to what your body is telling you.  If you feel tired, go lay down for a little bit and rest.  That was one of my problems when I got home, I stayed up all day and after the third day I was in more pain.  After I started taking a rest during the day I was feeling better.  It does get better.  Take care and I hope you feel better soon.
Sherry

I am sorry you are in such pain and my advice would be smiliar to the others  - call your surgeon and tell him about the pain and that you need diferent pain killers to help you  - I am sure they will set you up with something better for you. The pain does stop after a few days and some of it may be gas related so you need to try and do a little walking to help with that - and sip as much as you can to prevent dehydration.....

Dont worry about your vitamins for a few days - get the fluids in and feel better..

Jackie

I remember my pain being more from cramps and gas then the incision's and also from lack of hydration. In the begining I was too scare to take a sip large enough to quinch my thirst and in the weeks following my surgery I realized that food went donw MUCH easier when I was well hydrated.
If you are in uncomfortable pain always call a doc...the worst thing that can happen is they can tell you to come in and get checked out. Nothing wrong with that.
Hang in there...everyone tolerates surgery different.

Good luck..better day's are approaching
Brandi~