Question:
Pain on left side of belly, suddenly severe

I had a Lap RNY on Feb 12 and was discharged from the hospital without complications. Except that I have had pain on the left side of my belly a bit above and to the left of my navel since surgery. It has been better and it has been worse... but for the past week it has been becoming unbearable. It hurts to stand, sit, move, breathe... you get the idea. There is no bulging, bruising, or swelling at the spot. Just pain. I'm stubborn and kept thinking it would get better but its not! I finally gave in and called the doctor, but they haven't called back yet. Has anyone else had this kind of pain? What was it? And how long did it take to go away?    — Anne R. (posted on April 30, 2003)

April 30, 2003
oh, please tell me I'm not the only one who's had this problem... My doc still hasn't called back. :(
   — Anne R.

May 1, 2003
Hi, I am now 3 months post-op and, I had the exact same kind of pain around my 3 week post-op period, and I called my surgeon and he sent me over to the emergency room for an x-ray and blood tests. I ended up having a slight infection where my drain tube had been and a bladder infection too. I didn't have any other symptoms of a bladder infection, but the urine test showed oherwise, and the doctor said that pain in the lower abdomen can be a cause for one. If I were you, I would go to the emergency room if your doctor isn't calling you back, so they can run some tests because you can get the problem taken care of right away if there is one, because it doesn't seem like it is getting any better. Good luck to you.
   — Melodee S.

May 1, 2003
HI there...Don't you hate it when doc make you waite...Not to freak you out or anything...Do you have your gallbladder?..You have the same pains i did.I got my gallbladder out 6 months post op.. Make sure they do an ultra sound to rule this out. I hope everything works out. Also I would call my doc office every hour on the hour and they will cave and call you. Good luck
   — sarah C.