Question:
In pain, will this get easier?

I went for lap rny on 2/29/03 and came out with open rny. It appears my liver was "in the way." Needless to say, I have pains that are unmentionable! I had pulmonary effusion and my right (what feels like arm) is aching so bad I can lay down. My prescripiton (I live 2.5 hours away from my surgeon) made me dump last night and I hadn't had anything ALL NIGHT long until the surgeons office opened. Then it took them four hours to call in Children's Tylenol and said that is all I am getting. I have to constantly go up and down stairs to get to and from the bathroom (like 13 stairs). I am in pain, my staples feel like they are leaking, I can't sleep, my breath is nasty. Tell me please when this is going to be easier. PLease give your expert advice.    — Marcy G. (posted on May 5, 2003)

May 5, 2003
Marcy, I think you meant to say 4/29 and not 2/29 for your surgery date? Your profile indicated that surgery was the end of April. If thats the case then you are such a new pre-op, just a week out of surgery and it is understandable that you are having a rough time. It does get better as time goes by, however, you should not have to be in pain. Bug your doctors office again, and again until you get some relief- if your prescription made you dump, they should have an alternative for you, but know that you will eventually feel better. Just remember to stay hydrated if nothing else. Hang in there..a few months from now, you will look back on this as a distant memory.
   — Cindy R.

May 5, 2003
Marcy, if Cindy was right and you're just a week out- this is pretty normal and you will get better. If you really had surgery in Feb, then I'd call your doc. But ASSUMING you had surgery a week ago- it's going to take time to heal and feel better. I felt miserable the first few weeks, in so much pain, including gas pains, my incisions hurt, I felt horrible. But everyday my mom kept telling me "it will get better- and in a few months it will be worth it" And it's true. It does get better- so hang in there! In the meantime- is the tylenol really helping you? I was on percocet for a few weeks afterwards b/c the pain was intolerable- so don't be scared to ask for something stronger, you have afterall had your insides rearranged! Next week the pain will be a bit duller and the following week it will probably just soreness and aches. Goodluck to you!
   — Lezlie Y.

May 5, 2003
One week post op open RNY you should have been discharged with some type of narcotic i.e., codeine or vicodin at the very least. Talk to the nurse and give her your pain level on a scale of one to ten and ten being the highest. They should at least give you the equivalent to what you were discharged with. I can't take Vicodin but I can take Tylenol with codeine #3. If you don't get an acceptable response from the nurse ask to speak with the surgeon directly and don't take no for an answer. I've been a surgery nurse for more than 30 years both on the hospital floor and in the clinic. You should not be suffering so. It does get better but you will get better faster if you weren't in so much pain. If you must climb and descend 13 stairs each time you have to go to the bathroom wouldn't it be better to stay downstairs until you get stronger? Just a thought. Please feel free to email me. It does get better alot better I promise. You are in my prayers.
   — Rebecca L.