Question:
how much pain and nausea anfter surgery?
i am having bariatric bypass surgery monday 02/08/2010. what can i expect to awake to as far as pain and nausea? i know everyone is different just wanting some ideas. — Gary123 (posted on February 6, 2010)
February 6, 2010
Most protocols for post bariatric surgery include giving the patient a
antinausea medication. If not and you do find you are, which I never did
since there was no food there, you chan ask for it to be given. Pain is
general control well during post op- If your having pain than ask for pain
meds, usually however you are given pain meds to prevent it just like the
nausea. My procedure was open in 2002- It was hell and I was pushing that
morphine pump every minute, however most are lap now and there isn't the
same pain. If you have had a baby, don't worry you have been through the
worse. Don't worry. Have pain or nausea say "I need Meds NOW".
— rgreathouse
February 6, 2010
I had open RNY in Dec. 2009. The only pain I had was really bad gas pain
and pain from my I.V. I had no issues or pain with my incision. I had
absolutely not nausea until week three. Then I felt like I was dying.
Apparently when I thought I was full I really wasn't. I started eating more
and the nausea went away. But I suggest you get a anti-nausea med
prescription before you leave the hospital just in case you need it.
Good-luck with your surgery.
— only1leavera
February 6, 2010
I had open RNY March 2009. I had a pain med pump and was given anti-nausea
meds with my anesthesia and also around the clock in the hospital. I had no
nausea at all. The first week was really tough. I could not get up and down
very well by myself or get comfortable. After that, everyday got better. It
is very tough to get up and walk right after surgery,but it really does
help. I am down 130 pounds.. Best of luck to you !! :)
— LoriLynn1515
February 6, 2010
I just had gastric bypass Wednesday and am hom Be sure & let them know
if your painkiller isn't working. On the 2nd day, they changed me from
morphine to vicodin and I was fine.Walking will help, too, lots of walking.
— carol.grangel
February 6, 2010
I just had gastric bypass Wednesday and am home. Be sure & let them
know if your painkiller isn't working. On the 2nd day, they changed me from
morphine to vicodin and I was fine.Walking will help, too, lots of
walking.They gave me IV antacid, and a prescription for that, an
anti-nausea med & vicodin to go home.
— carol.grangel
February 6, 2010
My pain was terrible. I thought of myself as generally tough until I had
gastric bypass. It was my first surgery so I had nothing for reference
really. I awoke with a 10+ pain level and had big trouble in the hospital
getting it under control.
At home I seemed to do better but there was pain for a good 2 weeks.
I hope yours goes easier. I am 8 weeks out and totally pain free now of
course. It was still worth it!
— Sa-ruh
February 6, 2010
I've not had my WLS yet, hopefully in April. BUT I have had numerous other
surgeries so I don't think mine will be any different. I have found that if
you wake up in pain, ask for pain meds asap. Then make yourself get out of
bed and walk, walk, and walk some more. I generally would make myself walk
around the nurses stations once or twice every hour. And if I was pain I
would ask for meds so that I could continue to walk every hour that I was
awake. If I woke up at 2am then I would take that chance to walk as well.
The more you walk the faster you will recover and get the anesthesia out of
your system. If you decide "Well I'm a tough person and I don't need
any meds" then you might find yourself in a lot of pain and bedridden
longer. Your body will not heal as fast if you are continually in pain from
the start. When your body is in pain you will take shallow breaths - bad
for recovery. Being pain free will allow you to breathe deeply and will
encourage you to get moving - all of which promote healing faster. Hope
this makes sense. Many people who have not had surgery tend to lean towards
being a martyr about meds. This is not the time to ignore pain meds. A week
later from surgery you can wean yourself off pain meds if needed but not
immediately after surgery. Best wishes for a quick recovery!! Sounds
exciting!! Hope to "see less of you" on here soon! LOL
— texastreat
February 6, 2010
I am the biggest baby when it comes to surgery. I had lap RNY and no pain
at all, I did have a pain pump and I used it. I also stayed in the
hospital a couple days more, I used the excuse of being older. When I got
home I got sciatica and man oh man, what pain, I had to go to my orthopedic
Dr. he gave me a shot of cortisone in my hip.
As far as nausea, I had none from the surgery, but then they kept giving me
shots of anti nausea meds. I do throw up a lot now, because I can't
tolerate a lot of protein, so I stick with the foods I can eat, which
aren't a lot.
Would I have this surgery again with all my woes? Hell yessssss. I am a
couple of lbs from my goal, my Dr. said, I am at goal. I am so happy I had
this surgery.
— FSUMom
February 7, 2010
I had my surgery on October 22, @ 3:00 P.M. went home the next day by 5
P.M. The first three days I used vicodin to control the pain, by the fifth
day I had cabin fever and got out of the house for a bit. I was lucky never
had any nausea.. but I sipped anything and everything very slowly, which is
key. You will be fine, and if you are like everyone else I have spoken to,
your only regret will be that you did not have the surgery sooner. Good
Luck!
— robynann
February 7, 2010
Hi Gary
First of all - Good Luck tomorrow! I read all the other responses and as
you can see, different people have different experiences. I had my RNY
(laproscopic) on Feb 1st so it's fresh in my mind. When I woke up in
Recovery Room I was very nauseated and I informed the nurses and they kept
giving me medication until I was comfortable. As soon as I got to my room,
I sat up on the side of the bed with help from the nurses and that really
helped me feel better. After an hour or so after I was in my room, the
nausea subsided. The gas they use to see better during surgery is what
causes most of the pain. My pain was initially through my diaphragm and
then in the back of my neck. However the typical gas pain usually goes to
one's shoulder. I got up moving on my own not long after I got to my room
and the next day I was walking around the unit every 2-3 hours. I did so
well they discharged me. The pain continued in my neck for a few days but
with the medication I took home with me (liquid codeine) it really helped.
Remember to let the nurses/doctors know how you feel. Have a nurse with
you when you get up initially and go slow until you know how you feel.
Take care, Lori
— peaches10101
February 8, 2010
Use your pain pump and ask for anti-nausea medication when you talk to the
anesthesiologist.
— brindledanes
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