Question:
How long after RNY LAP are most people still on

pain medications?    — Jack S. (posted on July 29, 2002)

July 28, 2002
Of course, everyone is different. I only used the pain medicine for about two days, as prescibed. After that I only used it rarely for the next week (after a long walk or a day trip out).
   — Cheryl S.

July 28, 2002
Everyone is different. I didn't have a pain pump in the hospital. They gave me morphine every couple hours til we realized it was making me nauseous. So they switched to something else the next day. They sent me home w/liquid Tylenol/Codeine. I'd say I used it twice. Good luck and God Bless!
   — Kimberly L.

July 28, 2002
I have to echo the sentiments that everyone is different. In my experience, I was on the morephine pump in the hospital and they sent me home with oxycodone. I took it once per day for about 4 days and then I cut myself. I was still in pain getting up and lying down, but the pain meds made me HIGH. I was beginning to babble and would say things that I could not account for later.
   — Maria A. M.

July 29, 2002
Jack, as you can see from the other posts, everyone is different. Pain tolerance is such a funny thing. I was in agony post-op, and on the morphine pump for three days. I wouldn't have been in such pain, however, if the pump hadn't quit as soon as they started down the hall to my room. It took about 2 hours to get my pain at a tolerable level again. (Yes, I am a bad example). After those three days, they put me on Toradol for the remainder of my stay. At one week, I was on Tylenol Arthritis strength for a couple days as needed. My neighbor had the same procedure two weeks ago, and has yet to take her first dose of pain meds. Now, you figure that one. Good Luck, you'll do fine.
   — Tina B.

July 29, 2002
I had open surgery on a Tuesday, had PCA pump until Thursday, took percaset Friday and Saturday, and that was it. I was still pretty sore, but it was tolerable. I think a lot of your pain level has to do with your attitude and getting up and moving really helps you to heal faster. That said, some people experience more pain than others and if you have more, don't be a hero. Take what you need and don't let the pain get out of control but don't overdo it either. Don't worry, you'll be fine!
   — cjabates

July 29, 2002
I didn't take any at home. I knew they were constipating and was more willing to hurt a bit than be constipated anyday! LOL
   — NicoleG

July 29, 2002
Everyone is different, but I had my LAP RNY on a Wed, had another LAP RNY on Thursday (They thought I had a leak) and I stopped taking my pain meds the next day. I had Morphine for Wed only (made me soooo sick) and then I had nothing but Toradol until Friday afternoon. Then that was it.
   — pam29922

July 29, 2002
The four of us in our family who have had lap RNY were off all pain medications by the fourth post-op day. In fact, my husband never took any pain medications after he was discharged from the hospital two days post-op. We received Demerol injections the day of surgery, then were switched to Percocet tablets the next morning, and had no problems. Good luck!
   — Diana T.