Question:
SCARED.. to death?? Of the pain
I'm one year post op... down 150 lbs with still at least another 30-40 lbs to lose. Right now the reality that I may need a tummy tuck, or even a belt lipectomy is really hitting home. As excited as I am about it, I am unbelievably scared. I think about the pain and it terrifies me. I've seen people on here say that it is the most painful thing they have ever gone through. My problem is this: when I had the gastric bypass, that itself was so painful for me that I didn't walk nearly as much as I should have and I had to stay in the hospital for an extra day so they could keep an eye on me. How will I have the strength to endure something even more painful? How can I find the strength to endure the pain of getting out of the bed after surgery? I' don't know what I'm asking, really.. I just need some support. Can anyone tell me about their experiences? I'm wondering if I should just forego the surgery altogether, even though I think I'll need it. Help! — mars.renee (posted on August 24, 2004)
August 23, 2004
Several years ago when I was a pre-op I was having a real battle with
arthritis pain and my doctor arranged some 'pain management' training for
me because the pain was getting to me so badly. They told me something at
the time that has a lot of truth to it....half the battle of dealing with
pain is in your mind. First talk with your doctor and tell him of your
problems with dealing with pain. Then make your resting environment as
comfy as possible. Determine that during the recovery period you're going
to be as mobile as possible--even if it hurts. Use heat to ease aches and
discomfort. The more mobile you can be during the healing process, the
less pain you'll have to deal with. I was skeptical of all this when they
told me, but it does work! Best wishes to you!
— Cathy S.
August 23, 2004
I had a TT and hernia repair and its was NOT even close in pain as my RNY -
far from it. Recover was faster and much easier...
— star .
August 23, 2004
I know how you feel. I was terrified about the pain. Yes it was
painful..and yes It was the worste pain. However, I'm one month out today
and would do it all over again. Just remember everyone is different. I had
a lot of other surgerys and three of them were in the tummy area. I think a
lot of the pain had to do with that. Just make sure you are ready. Have all
your P's and Q's in order. Best of luck if you have anyother questions
email. We all need support here and like many people here I'm here for all
those who need help and support. Stats are started 304 now 120 2 and half
years out with breast reductiona and lift also anchor tummy tuck.
— sarah C.
August 23, 2004
I heard all the stories too, especially about the TT part. I had a LBL and
breast lift, and honestly, it was not nearly as painful as I expected.
When I woke up, I remember telling the nurse my pain was a "4",
and then they gave me meds that took that down to a "1". I took
my pain pills faithfully every four hours for the first week, and was fine.
Waking up from the RNY was much more painful. For me, that was a 10, at
least for the first 6 hours or so. The PS was less painful, but was a
longer recovery.
— mom2jtx3
August 23, 2004
I don't want to sound "out there," but I think that a great deal
of the pain we allow ourselves to experience comes from what fear we bring
to the event. Knowing that we will emerge quickly from pain, that
healthcare providers around us will do everything they can to reduce that
pain, and that it will be behind us very quickly, goes a long way towards
reducing anxiety before any procedure. Decide that this is what you want
and need, and that it is part of your future healthy self, that the pain is
not disabling, but part of the growing process, and decide that you are
going to rise above it. There is no question -- study after study shows
that patients experience very often what they anticipate experiencing. I
am not saying to hide your fear deep within you, that is very damaging.
Decide that there is going to be some pain, and that it will be something
you can and will ride through and beyond, and emerge on the other side a
better, more healthful person. We tend in this society to be far removed
from pain, and to believe we shouldn't have to experience it. Sometimes we
do, and it passes. I have to say that this is my philosophy, that I
believe that because of it, I never suffered from my open RNY at all,
although I did feel pain. I'm four months out, doing great, and I know
that you can do as great with this procedure, and reap nothing but benefits
from it. God bless you!
— ellenfitz
August 24, 2004
I think Ellen has a point, and that, to some degree we experience what we
expect to. Also know that everyone reacts differently. I had almost no
pain with an extended abdominoplasty (cut about 3/4s of the way around),
liposuction, brachioplasty and removal of the skin from the sides of my
breasts. I had surgery on a Thursday, took maybe three hits of the
self-administered pain pump on Friday, and then not so much as a Tylenol
after that. It hurt the first time I got out of bed, but was much easier
the second time, and easier the third time. By Saturday morning I was
getting up by myself with no problem taking laps around the hospital floor,
and not enough pain to take anything for. Some of this is probably just
attributed to how I heal, but I also think some of it is because I had
decided this wouldn't be a big deal. My surgeon had even tried to talk me
into realizing that the surgery would likely hurt more than I was
expecting, but it turned out to be even easier than I had originally
thought. Go into it with the idea that whatever the levle of pain is, it
will be manageable, and will be for a short period of time, with a HUGE
payoff. A positive mental attitude makes a difference. Best wishes.
— Vespa R.
August 24, 2004
Hi, Marcie! I am three weeks post abdominoplasty. I just got my second
drain out yesterday (drain free now!). I will be honest and say that my
abdominoplasty was more painful INITIALLY than my lap RNY. I couldn't
stand up straight for a week or so, and my drains and incisional pain were
there, but not unmanagable. The first couple of days in the hospital were
rough - more so than I expected.To be honest, I got better and more lasting
pain relief when they started me on oral pain medication than when I could
self administer Morphine. Now that I have gone over the bad part, let me
say this - my nearly constant pre-op back pain is GONE! I can stand up
straight - and I mean straight! Before, surgery, I felt like my lower back
was being pulled forward all the time, stressing the muscles. Another thing
to remember, is that when you had WLS, when you got out of bed, you were
dragging the equivalent of another person with you! Wow! This time, you
will be so much lighter and will be able to move so much easier with that
extra 150 lbs gone! Even at three weeks out, I can honestly say I would do
it again. You can get through the pain; it will be worth it.
One funny thing about the hospital stay - they would bring me a regular
tray of food, and then worry that I wasn't eating because I couldn"t
finish half of the food!
— koogy
August 24, 2004
First of all I would like to say that you get to make the choice of whether
you choose to undergo plastics or not. You certainly don't have to but if
you really do want it, here's my two cents...I agree with much of what
Ellen said. I went into WLS totally calm even though I never had surgery
before. I knew that my mind could help my body in healing and repairing
itself. My philosophy was that I was ready to do whatever I had to do to
get the weight off - no matter how painful. I had more reservations about
my LBL/BL/Inner Thigh Lift. I was much more leery about it than I was
about WLS. I was scared to death but then a few weeks before the surgery I
just told myself that I was going to put myself in the surgeon's hands and
trust that all would be fine. I knew that I could live through the pain.
People have lived through much, much worse. Yes, for me, the pain of the
LBL was much more than WLS. HOWEVER, I had NO PAIN with the WLS and, as
mentioned previously, that was my only surgery. Here I am, almost 4 months
post-op, and I lived through it. It was definitely not excrutiating pain
like I had expected. I just kept on my pain med schedule and it was
bearable. In fact, my pain meds were 1-2 tablets every 6 hours and I NEVER
took 2 tablets. One did the trick. You mentioned having to move a lot and
walk and all that after LBL. Well, the good news is that, unlike WLS,
after plastics they want you to stay as still as possible and rest, rest,
rest. My surgeon told me to go to the recliner and stay there as long as I
could. I did just that. Yes, you will be uncomfortable. Yes, you will
wish your first 2-3 weeks would pass more quickly. Yes, you will live
through any discomfort/pain that you have and YES, you will be thoroughly
delighted that you did this for yourself. I can tell you that during the
first 2-3 weeks, I said I would never again go under the knife for any
elective surgery. Now, I'm wondering when I'll get my eyes done! :) You
do forget the pain. Good luck to you!
— [Deactivated Member]
August 24, 2004
I am just over a week out from my abdominoplasty, and can agree with many
of the points made by the others. I was plenty scared of the pain after
reading what many had written. I did however have a friend who had a TT
about 2 months ago, and she claimed it to be far less painful than her open
rny. My experience was right down the middle. Initially, it was a draw.
No way could I get out of bed the same day for either surgery, and I was
thankful for my foley. The 2nd day post rny I was in pain, but got the
foley out and was walking and using the bathroom on my own. I could not do
this post TT. My blood pressure kept dropping from the demerol, and I was
pretty dizzy. I was fine as long as I didn't get up---no nausea, just
dizzy. By that night, the meds wore off, and they began to walk me before
giving more meds, orally. I was changed from the demerol to vicodin, and
was much better. At home, I was able to be a little more mobile with the
TT. I'd say that the pain can be managed easily with oral meds, feeling for
the nmost part like I was punched in the belly, or like I did a million
sit-ups, providing you don't react poorly to them. I get severe nausea from
vioxx and morphine. I also learned that not all hospitals use pca pumps,
and they don't all administer the same pain meds as a rule. Inquire with
your surgeon as a pre-op. Also, ask the anesthesiologist about anti-nausea
meds being put in your IV. Be aware, too, that although the pain meds make
things bearable, they can have the side effect of severe constipation.
Mostg hospitals offer colace as a stool softener, but if you don't drink
plenty of water, it can bind you up. Sorry to ramble, but all this is
still very fresh in my mind. Overall, after a week, now I have just mild,
typical healing discomfort from the incision.I have a feeling that by next
week, I will just have a healing scar and a little swelling as a reminder.
Believe me, I would not let it stop me. The results are worth it. Good
luck!!!!!!
— Fixnmyself
August 24, 2004
i had my tt last year and found it to be much easier than wls. i took my
pain pills every 2 1/2 hours as directed and didn't stand straight (as
directed) for a week and i was not in any great pains at all. i think its
how you tolerate pain, how much you move and remember to take pain meds
before the pain starts which is why they told me every 2 1/2 hours and
never to wait. Most importantly, take a stool softener starting the day of
surgery or that will become the most painful as the pain meds cause
constipation. take it every day as long as you're on pain meds. good luck
to you. you will never regret it...its almost better than losing the
weight itself.
— Julie A.
August 24, 2004
Oh my gosh, Julie Ann, you are completely right about the stool softener.
This was so painful. I didn't have a bowel movement for probably 5-6 days.
Even though I was eating barely anything, it was so painful to try to go
to the bathroom. I started taking the stool softener about day 4 and it
took 2-3 days to work. I kept taking them for a few days just to make sure
everything was in working order. I'm glad you made such a good point!
— [Deactivated Member]
August 24, 2004
I had my open RNY on June 23, 2003. Hernia surgery on November 11, 2003.
Also had 7 strictures during June-Nov., and was scoped and dialated for
each. I had 2 thumb joint repacements in April and May 2004. Extended T/T
on June 21, 2004. The hernia was the WORST pain by far. Never want to do
that again. My t/t was by far the easiest pain wise and recovery time as
well. It was soooooooo piece of cake. Off pain meds in a week. Driving in a
week and 4 days. It is sooooooooo worth it. Was on Vicodan every 4 hours.
Constipating, yes. Stool softener, yes. After 1-2 weeks all 4 drains out
and no pain meds. Go in with a great frame of mind. Heck, I had 5 surgeries
in less than a year. T/T was very piece of cake.:):):) The results having
-2.5 pounds of skin removed made for FABULOUS results. You'll not regret
it. You'll love the results. It is so great looking now. This was the
finishing touch to open RNY. Best of luck. Take care. Kathy 295/180/175
— Kathy R.
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