Question:
Help! I'm terrified of the immediate post-op pain!
— beeda (posted on April 11, 2003)
April 11, 2003
Debra -
There is no way around the pain. Everyone's is different because everyone
has a different pain tolerance. I can tell you this, I was in the same
position you are in now. Before my surgery (09/19)I would have the wave of
fear of the pain. Afterwards I realized it was not as bad as I imagined
and it got better fast. Good luck!
— Carole J.
April 11, 2003
Well I thought my pain was going to be unbearable too, but it wasn't. I had
open RNY on 3/6/03 and the worst thing for me was getiing in and out of bed
and in and out of the hospital chairs. Anytime I moved it made my stomach
stretch and that's what bothered me about the surgery the most. I walked
around the next day and the nurses helped me in and out the bed and made me
sit up quickly because sitting up too slow just made the pain worse, it was
the best thing they could have done for me. The walking really does help by
my Third day in the hospital I was light stretching and Tai Chi moves-only
thing I can say is walk...walk...walk...walk and push that pain button
— TotallyTori
April 11, 2003
Of course everyone is different. I had an open rny and my gall bladder
removed at the same time. From the time I hit the recovery room to being
moved out of ICU I do not remember much. I think I said, "I am VERY
uncomfortable" and "It is hotter than a _________" but I do
not recall any real severe pain. The pain for me came later, after the
hospital stay, trying to sleep on my back, getting in an out of bed etc.
For me it felt like I had done a million to many sit ups and I asked
several friends and neighbors if they happend to have seen the train that
hit me :). I'm 5 weeks out now...no pain at all...none...zippo...life is
good...walking 4 miles in under an hour every day and awaiting the doctor
to release me to add more to my exercise routine. Good luck and best
wishes!! Liz
— Liz B.
April 11, 2003
Express your fears to your doctor. They will do everything possible to
alleviate your discomfort. Right after surgery I was hooked up to a button
that dispensed pain medication. I was drowsey - I do remember presssing it
- but now I can't recall being in a lot of pain. You will be asked on a
scale of 1-10 (1 being little pain and 10 being extreme) where you rate
yourself and your pain medication will be adjusted. Good luck!
— Susan B.
April 11, 2003
I am sure that all people are not the same but I just had my surgery on
Monday the 7th, I was out of the hospital on the 9th and went into work on
the 8th. Shhh it was just for a few minutes. I feel great no problems. A
little gas and a little bruising all and all it was a piece of cake. Good
Luck... Krysti
— Krysti H.
April 11, 2003
My pain was not bad at all. It was much less than I had anticipated. My
lap RNY was Mon the 7th, came home Wed the 9th. I hardly need the elixer
pain med at all now. Hope you do as well. Try not to stress over
this,they will not let you hurt too bad. Good Luck
— Susan C.
April 11, 2003
I had feers similar to yours. And yes the pain was awful. So what? This is
a temporary inconvenience for a permenant improvement!! There are drugs to
get you through that. You must remember to use that button on the morphine
drip as often as you can , not only when you need it. This will help you
stay ahead of the pain. And no matter how much you hurt once your get out
of that bed you will start to feel better. Remember to think rationally.
With each passing day you will feel better. The insision pain is really no
big deal , it was the imediate post op pain from the internal trauma that I
went through , but I asked to get out of that bed and the nurses helped me
up It really helped me. The most severe pain was the day of surgery but I
was pretty drugged. The next day was a little better and by the third day I
was almost human. The staples were very annoying and when they came out I
was just fine. Now that was MY experience everyone is different , some
people have very little pain. I hope you are one of them. Just remember to
stay ahead of the pain use your meds before you need them , and walk , walk
,walk. You will be fine.
— Rose A.
April 11, 2003
The worst pain is when you first wake up in the recovery room. It is like
"ohhhhhh, my stomach!" It feels like you have been kicked in the
stomach. But immediately the nurses will start you on pain meds and the
morphine pump. After that, the pain is very controlable. Just take your
meds and push the pump if needed. Don't let the pain get ahead of you, and
push the pump as much as you need it. Don't worry you won't get addicted
in two or three days. The pain is just a memory very soon. It is so worth
it! The pain is pretty bad at first but it gets better each day. You
won't rip open the incision. I had a 15 inch incision and now 15 months
later, it is barely there and only about 4 inches in length. I know the
"unknown" is scary but believe me, if it were all that bad, I
wouldn't have put myself through it TWICE as I did. Pain meds are
wonderful after surgery. You won't even need them after a week or so if
that long.
— Mylou52
April 11, 2003
I had zero pain upon waking but I was nauseous and they gave me meds for it
and I was fine. I have had 2 c-sections and expected this to be easy and it
hurt more than I though it would but not until about 18 hours after
surgery. The anesthesia had finally worn off!! Duh. I was very unhappy but
as soon as I got those meds in I was really okay and by day 4 I was fine.
Really! Good Luck, you will be okay. :)
— Carol S.
April 12, 2003
PAIN DOES NOT LAST FOREVER.....JUST REMEMBER THAT.
— DEBBIE C.
April 13, 2003
Just had Open RNY this past Wednesday (4/9). Sugery took a little longer
than normal because of past scar tissue issues (previous surgeries), and
the pain was not nearly as bad as you image. Just remember to get prompt
pain relief, and get up and get moving. Movement is the best thing to help
you heal faster. Came home 2 days post-op and have had no problems with
doing dishes, changing diapers, etc., just some small modifications to
minimize bending and lifting. Good luck.
— Diane B.
April 14, 2003
I'd not worry as much about the "phyical pain" as much as the
"emotional pain", there is pain medication to get you through the
surgery. I don't mean to scare you at all, but for me it was all a head
game and it took my head FOREVER to want to play fairly....lol
I am now 17 months post op from an open RNY, I have lost 140 lbs and am
happy weighing in at 110 lbs, and some days it is still hard. Just prepare
yourself emotionally the best you can, your best friends (foods, pops,
candy, cookies, and etc) will be gone pretty much and your gonna want them
still. I DO NOT regret my surgery at all, and there are TONS of advantages
also, NO MORE PAIN, being able to LIVE your life, and many many more. Good
luck and I wish you the very best:)
— Lynda T.
Click Here to Return