Question:
3 Weeks Post op, need advice?
I have recently had my 2 week check up with staples removed (open rny). Four days before my appointment, I developed severe pain on my left side under my ribs. Every day it gets worse, and now I can hardly move, cough, hiccup, bend or anything else. I did not have this pain before and asked my surgeon about it. The surgeons response was that I didn't have a very painful look on my face, so it must not hurt that much. I told him I was serious, he started laughing and shuffled me out the door laughing the whole way, and told me to see him in 4 weeks. I have never seen this man smile let alone laugh. I am really ticked off and I am not sure what I should do. My husband is so mad because he sees what agony I am in, and can't believe how unprofessional he acted. My husband and I both agree that I will not go back to his office. My question, will I be able to find a doc to take over my care? (I need to find out if something is wrong). In four weeks I need a note to allow me to go back to work. I will forge it if I have to. I will not go back to him or talk to his staff, whom he humiliated me in front of. — [Anonymous] (posted on September 6, 2001)
September 5, 2001
I don't know where your surgeon works, but i used to work in a medical
clinic. If a dr. treated you this way, then you called the clinic and
filled out a report and they called the dr in for questioning. If he is in
private practice, then yo have the medical board to talk to, or call the
hospital he is afl. with. Drs are people and mak mistakes, but acting
unprofessionally is something OTHERS NEED TO ALSO BE AWARE OF. Knowing me,
I probably would start wit a letter to him and his office first. Not a
nasty one, just one explaning how I felt and how he made me feel. I'd send
it certified to have a record. Jacki
— Jackiis
September 5, 2001
I would see my family doctor about the pain right away if you can't find
another surgeon to see you. He should also be able to give you a release
to go back to work, especially if you explain the situation. And I
thoroughly agree with the former poster, talk to the review board wether it
be the medical review board or that of his clinic if he's in one. People
should know about that.. If my doctors were looking for a grimace of pain
from me I'd probably die... Different people have different pain
tollerances and any doctor should know this..
— Elizabeth D.
September 6, 2001
1- Your Dr. is a a grade A number one ass!
2- Now about the pain...I also experienced this...during surgery they use
retractors to pull the ribs away and hold all the tissue back so the Dr.
has a clear field of vision..this pain is normal healing...everything going
back into place...some people never feel it - others have it severe...I had
it about 18 days post op for 2 days then again at about 25 days for a
week...couldn't turn, roll, bend etc...felt like a pulling sharp pain under
the left breast...Dr. said it was very normal...I started wearing the
binder and it helped alot....BUT if you are having a problem with
swallowing..eating and pooping then get to the Dr.
— Diane Z.
September 6, 2001
I had this unbearable pain for about 4 weeks post-op. I found that when I
was sitting if I put pillows under my left arm and left breast I would get
some relief from the pain. I slept on my right side and put pillows up
against my tummy and rested my left arm and left breast on the pillows.
When I walked around I actually held my left breast up with my left arm.
These things helped but it was still very painful but happens because that
is the area where most of the "work" took place. It's
"normal" and should go away. I'm sorry your doctor was such a
jerk about your pain and your concerns. He should have reassured you that
this kind of thing could be expected.
— [Anonymous]
September 6, 2001
I had severe pain and discomfort on my left side starting about 3-4 weeks
post-op. The first time it happened it hurt so bad, I almost went to the
emergency room. My doc suggested a heating pad and also gave me a
presciption for Celebrex (generally prescribed for arthritis), this really
helped. The pain went away after about two weeks.
It really burns me up when I hear of a "care giver" who doesn't
care. You don't deserve to suffer.
— Jonathan M.
September 6, 2001
I experienced this. i thought I had done something to myself. My surgeon
took it really lightly, too. He did'nt dismiss it, but told me it would go
away and it did. I cursed him silently in my head because I wanted some
meds for it, specifically percocet. He said no. It stopped in two weeks,
but I was ticked off too. My advice is to take whatever pain meds you are
allowed and ride it out. I used the remainder of my initial pain medicine
whenever i felt he worst or before bed. Good luck!!
— Courtney W.
September 6, 2001
Please, please, please get this checked out. Even if you have to go to a
different surgeon. Do not drag it out to see if the pain will go away. Your
surgeon is behaving very irresponsibly!
— KimBo36
September 6, 2001
I also had this and my surgeon told me that this was because when he was
doing the surgery the equipment used to basically spread and hold you open
strains you muscles and this pain is actually because they are getting back
into position and started to relax. Of course, check with your doctor, but
this could be the same for you as well.
— kimberly L.
September 6, 2001
Thanks everyone for all the advice. I really do appreciate it, and it is
good to know
it is normal and will go away in time. I haven't decided what to do about
the doc. yet. I
did take the good review that I gave him off my profile. I was so ticked I
took everything off.
As for taking pain meds until the pain goes away, my ex-doc sends his
patients home on Childrens Tylenol
after 2 days in the hospital.
Pre-op I was told I would go home with a prescription, but I guess things
changed in the 4 months
I waited for surgery. Thanks again friends, I really do love this place.
This is the only place where us large people can go and be known for our
minds instead of
as the fat person.
Thanks again
— [Anonymous]
September 6, 2001
I, too, had pain on my left side about a week after surgery.
It continued and I thought that I had pulled a muscle.
However, a friend insisted on taking me to the docotr.
After x-rays, it turned out that I had fluid on my lungs that
needed to be drained. More complications arose and I was in
the hospital for 12 days. I would definitely get the pain
checked out, and fast!!!
— Kay J.
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