Question:
3 weeks Post Op... Severe left side pain.. Lap RNY

Hey! I'm just 3 weeks post op and doing fabulous with everything except for my left side hurting like nothing else. The pain is like a sharp stab when i turn a certain way or bend, even if I sit a certain way. It goes straight through to my back. It's located right where they went through my rib cage and I'm assuming it's where everything is connected. Is this normal?    — kristine76 (posted on April 10, 2006)

April 10, 2006
Oh, I would get to the ER if I was you. I would have them do a CT Scan instead of a Xray...I had a similar pain in my left side 2 weeks out and they xrayed which didn't show anything but bones of course and the large organs, what it didn't show is a pocket of infection which worsened over the next 4 days until I had major complications. I really hope this isn't your case but I would rather be safe than sorry in this case. If it is a small pocket it can just be extracted through a CT scan visit but if it ruptures from getting to infected like mine, major surgery could take place....please don't mess around with this, mine got so severe I had a hard time sleeping and keeping water down....I will be praying for you that it is just a pulled muscle :) but just incase please have it checked out. Gods Blessings and enjoy the new life you have just entered into. Debbie
   — DavisDeb

April 10, 2006
It is hard to say because I am not a doctor. What did your surgeon say? I had a sharp almost crippling pain on my lower left side but my surgeon said it was normal. Sure enough the pain subsided after several weeks.
   — Glenda L.

April 11, 2006
The problem could be gas trying taking gas-ex extra strength. My doctor says it's fine I have to take this twice a day I also use Beano with foods I eat that cause gas works great. If this doesn't help contact your MD might be a Kidney infection which you can get Post-Op due to catherization. If it's a abscess you will defiantely need to see your MD for antibiotics. Good Luck.
   — Deborah Joyner

April 11, 2006
I have the same problem and I am 5 weeks out my doctors said it is normal because that's the only spot they cut thur the muscle for the lap rny.....the pain for me comes and goses....I thought I was done with it but last night it came back
   — PRESHUS

April 12, 2006
Thank you all so much for your responses! I ended up calling my surgeons nurse and she said that is sounds very normal. The muscle they cut through there will be very tender for awhile and she even said that I may have a bruised rib. But I need to call if it doesn't get better. Whew.. that was a bit scarey! But all is good! Thank you all again and God bless! =]
   — kristine76