Question:
Anyone had a c-section before surgery? How does the pain compare?
I had a c-section 2 years ago. I recovered very well. I had minimal pain and was able to get around fairly easily after surgery. I was wondering if any one had a c-section and then open RNY and if so, how would you say the pain and recovery compare? Or don't they? — [Anonymous] (posted on December 7, 2001)
December 7, 2001
I've had 2 C-sec. and recovered quite nicely, after both. I will be having
surgery this Wed. So E mail me around the 20th and I'll let ya know. I'm
curious too!
— Cindee A.
December 7, 2001
I had a c-section in 91, open rny in 94 and a c section in 96. I found the
rny a bit worse because of the muscles involved. Also, at the weight I was
at the recovery from any surgery is hard anyway. The 2nd csection was a
breeze but I had over 200 lbs off. Can make a difference on how hard your
muscles have to work.
The rny is in the mid abdomen and the abdominal muscles are major. I never
realized how much I use those muscles til the rny. But, after about 2
weeks, I was having no real pain issues. I stopped taking the drugs about 3
days after I got home (I am stubborn, I hate taking drugs if I don't have
to).
It's just a memory now....I also had 2 hernia surgeries (nothing compared
to the others) a constricted bowel (another easy surgery) and a tummy
tuck.
It's all a matter of pain management..
Hugs
Rita(-278 lbs)
— vt_rita
December 7, 2001
tO ME THE c/SECTION WAS A PIECE OF CAKE COMPAIRED TO THE RNY. tHE SURGEON
SAYS IT IS FURTHER DOW (THE C/SECTIONS)
was bruital when it came to walking HE SAID THE C/SECTIONS ARE FURTHER DOWM
AMD CAUSED LESS PAIN.
— Nynese W.
December 7, 2001
I had a C-section in 98 and my open rny 3 weeks ago. For me, the C-section
was worse. Sure the first couple of days after surgery on the rny there
was pain; however, I used more pain medication with my c-section. I had my
surgery Monday, walked Monday, was off of pain meds by Thursday. By the
following Monday I could move without too much pain from the incision. The
main difference for me was that with the C-section the pain didn't bother
me if I didn't move; with the rny the pain was pretty constant. But for
me, the pain from being so obese -- I couldn't walk more than 5 minutes
with terrible sciatica pain -- the rny means less pain for less time.
— Debbie H.
December 8, 2001
Honestly - you cannot compare "pains" with surgeries. There are
so many variables - like age, weight, general health, surgical techniques,
on and on.....
I had four C-Sections ('85,'87,'89,'91) and then two other abdominal
surgeries through the C-Section scar (hysterectomy and hernia repairs) -
And THEN my open VBG in June of this year. Seven abdominal surgeries in all
- and they were all different. Some were worse, some better - all differing
kinds of pain, and different recovery experiences.
But - I would have to say that the Open VBG was one of the more painful
recoveries. But, also - I'm now 47 years old and was 340 lbs (now 234 lbs -
6 months later!!!) - that made a big difference....
— Cathy J.
December 15, 2001
I had a C-section in Jan.2000 and an open RNY on 11/26/01. I would have to
say that the RNY hurt alot more than the C-section. I think the fact that I
had this brand new baby that I had to take care of helped me get up and
going faster. I also think that that the type of incision makes a
difference. However the pain meds. my surgeon gave me really helped alot!
Good luck to you, all in all, it wasn't that terrible!! :)
— Rebecca C.
February 27, 2002
I have had 2 vertical C-sections (my first son weighed 10 lbs. 12 oz) and
was cut almost to my belly button for each one. I also had a complete
hysterectomy (same incision used) and had my gallbladder out the
old-fashioned way (before lazer). I must tell you that I thought the open
RNY was not going to be a big deal to me because I had those surgeries and
did very well with all of them. This surgery is much more painful...you
cannot even compare. Of course everyone has their own experiences, but I
have to tell you that the first week is really bad. After that, each day
gets easier and easier. I am 13 days post-op and am feeling better as each
day passes. I get my G-tube out tomorrow which has been a real pain for
me. If you want to talk about this some more, I would be glad to help you
(if I can of course). My email is [email protected]. Good luck to you! :)
— ShannonTxgirl
February 27, 2002
Hi,
I had two c-sections prior to open rny. I thought the rny would be a
breeze, as both sections were. As a result I was not prepared for how I
would feel post-op. The rny recovery was by far much harder. That being
said, 16 months later I would have the surgery again in a heart beat. I've
lost 132 pounds and am a new person. The surgery was worth every bit of
pain. I wish people had been more honest with me about what to expect,
thus I try to be honest about my experiences. Good luck to you!
— Donna A.
May 15, 2002
I had a c-section years ago and have had the "old" gall bladder
surgery where they cut big time across your stomach. I am now 6 days post
op from an open RNY and the pain WAY out does the other 2. Probably because
I am much older now but I was totally not prepared for this much pain.
— Gina D.
May 15, 2002
My open RNY wasn't as painful as having my gall bladder and appendix
removed when I was 19. It was considerably more painful than my 3
C-sections though. Still, I would do it again in a heartbeat. It is so
worth it.
Best of luck to you,
— [Deactivated Member]
May 23, 2002
I had a c-section and would have gastric bypass again before another
c-section. I healed quicker and wasn't taking ANYTHING, including Tylenol,
for pain five days out.
— stacey L.
May 23, 2002
I too asked this question since I had 3 C-sections prior to my WLS. I'm
only 10 days post-op but I would have to see the C-sections were less
painful, but then you had a baby to care for while you recovered, so it's
kind of "give & take"! Just get your rest and your water
down. I have been running a fever for the last 5 days now due to
dehyrdration!
Jennie
— Jennie S.
May 26, 2002
I HAD A C SECTION IN MAY 2000,AND THE PAIN WAS WAY FAR WORSE THAN MY PAIN
OR THE RNY GASTIC BYPASS,I ONLY NEED PAINS MEDS LIKE DAY ONE.....BY 2ND DAY
I WAS OFF THEM,AND CAME HOME WITH A RX FOR PAIN MEDS AND HAVE FILLED
IT,DONT NEED IT AT ALL,THIS IS DAY 6 FOR ME!!!POSTOP
— LORI C.
May 26, 2002
I am 5 days post-op, open RNY and had 2 c-sections previously. For me, the
pain of the RNY was MUCH more than the pain of my c-secs and I thought the
last c-sec was horrid. I think it is different for everyone. I just came
home last night and am taking 10mg of Oxycodone every 4 hours still.
— Jacque P.
September 29, 2002
hi i had 2 c-sections and the pain in each one of them was diffent, i also
had a hysterectomy and that pain was diffentsame cut. i had my gallbladder
removed lap..and i was in pain..the wls the pain was diffent from all my
other surgerys..i used that morphine pump took my pain killers i was
fine..like everything else you forget about the pain in 2 weeks you will be
fine as long as you get up, walk around. do those breathing exercises..
— JoAnn
January 30, 2003
I've had 4 C-sections 13 yrs prior to WLS and the pain wasn't as bad
intially because today's dr's are much more intuned to giving pain meds in
the form of the Morphine Drip. The only real pain that I had (and this
wasn't that bad) was due to the fact that I caught a cold a day after being
released from the hospital and started coughing........let's just say
pulling your eyelid over your forehead would've felt better. The coughing
pain made my incision burn even though I had a laparascopic surgery, I had
a 5 inch scar next to my navel. But all in all the pain wasn't as bad to me
but everyone's different.
— cinnamongirl
January 30, 2003
I've had 4 C-sections 13 yrs prior to WLS and the pain wasn't as bad
intially because today's dr's are much more intuned to giving pain meds in
the form of the Morphine Drip. The only real pain that I had (and this
wasn't that bad) was due to the fact that I caught a cold a day after being
released from the hospital and started coughing........let's just say
pulling your eyelid over your forehead would've felt better. The coughing
pain made my incision burn even though I had a laparascopic surgery, I had
a 5 inch scar next to my navel. But all in all the pain wasn't as bad to me
but everyone's different.
— cinnamongirl
January 30, 2003
the comparision between the 2 surgeries, well the c section I felt was a
bit worse because you had the folds resting on the scar if you have a
bikini line c-section. so I would say it feels diffrent but you don't get
as much of a dragging feeling as you get with the c-section. I won't say it
is easy .......it is a rough time but pain meds are usually very good and I
am 4 months down the track and it is the best thing I have done.
— Rachel A.
January 30, 2003
I have had a c-section, an open gallbladder, and now the Lap RNY. I must
tell you the pain with the Lap RNY was MUCH worse than with the c-section
or the gallbladder surgery. I thought I was prepared, I was not. It took
me 4 weeks to feel better. I now recommend the RNY HIGHLY to anyone that
needs it, but that first month....Just remember you are recovering from a
MAJOR surgery. This was my experience, but many others here have not
experienced that same level of pain. I think it depends on alot of
factors. I am now 4 months out and -90 lbs. This surgery is SO worth it!
— Roberta S.
January 30, 2003
I had 2 c-sections, low transverse incisions each time, 19 and 22 years
ago. I didn't have a whole lot of pain with either of them. I had lap RNY
last October, and I am 20 some years older, now! I still didn't have a lot
of pain with the RNY. I think a lot of how much pain you have depends on
your tolerance and how much pain you expect to have.
— koogy
February 1, 2003
I have had 4 c-sections. My RNY was along with a complete hysteromecty and
gall blader removal so my incision is about 26" long but I did
fantastic!!! I was up the night of surgery (walking in the hall) and was
released Thursday night after surger on Tuesday. The pain was real however
maybe a little different. As it extendes up much higher. I find that even
after 9 weeks post-op I still can not sneeze, caugh or laugh although I can
chuckle when I hold my self. At least I don't have to get up during the
night to feed the baby this time around!!! Ha! Ha!
— Diane E.
October 18, 2003
I had a C section a year and one month before my Lap RNY. In my opinion the
pain was like FIVE TIMES WORSE than the c section. I am six days post ops
now and I am STILL having lots of pain. I was up driving and doing all
kinds of stuff 6 days after my C Section. Maybe its just me, but IT HURTS
BAD!!!!! (if the results are any good then it will be worth it!!)
— Katie W.
October 19, 2003
I had 3 csections. No real pain with any of them. The same with lap rny. My
only discomfort was the gas that settled in my shoulder. I had surgery on
Mon morning and was up and shopping on Thurs morning. I started driving Sat
morning. I had a very uneventful recovery as I did with my csecs but
everyone is different as you already know. Just take it easy and all will
hopefully go well.
— kaysjourney
October 31, 2003
I had 2 c-sections 17 & 19 years ago when things weren't as advanced as
they are now and I had lap r-n-y on 8/19/03 and in my own personal opinion,
the pain I had with the c-sections do not even come close in comparison
with the WLS!! I tolerate pain VERRRRRY well and I could not even imagine
having open r-n-y. Just prepare yourself. Take your pain medication as
often as you need it (as directed by the doctor of course) and take it
SLLLLOOOOOOWWWWWW!!! It does get better and the pain does goes away, but
remember it is a time of healing! Best wishes to you! I am currently down
80 some lbs!!! The pain is worth the gain! Or the loss in our case! LOL
God BLess!
— Cindy C.
October 1, 2004
This is really scaring me! I am looking into a BPD and will probably be
able to have it in 2 months or so.
I had a cyst removed from my ovary which was also attached to my bladder,
and while I was at it I had my tubes tied. This was about 14 years ago. I
had excrutiating pain with this op that lasted for about 6 weeks. I
couldn't move off the hospital bed for 3 days and I couldn't walk upright
for about 6 weeks. My incision opened in places and was pussy and lumpy for
weeks. I have had 2 natural childbirths and these don't compare with the
pain of the operation I had. I really think that if the BPD is any more
painful than this, I will just be passed out most of the time.
Can anyone compare the pain of BPD with that of a natural childbirth with
tearing so I get a better idea of what I might be in for?
— AnneB
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