Question:
I HAD BROKEN RIBS IN THE PAST

I HAD BROKEN RIBS IN THE PAST AND THEY STILL HURT WILL THEY CAUSE ME ANY TROUBLE AFTER SURGERY OR WILL THEY GET BETTER    — TeaAllen (posted on April 28, 2005)

April 28, 2005
How long ago did you injure them? I cracked my ribs and it took me almost 8 weeks before they did not hurt me anymore. It is a bone, it takes time to heal them. Now, your question really should be answered by a clinician who is better informed than the rest of us lay people. Only that person can really answer you because they will take in the consideration of looking at your films and how extensive your injury was.
   — ChristineB

April 28, 2005
Fractured ribs are simply very very painful. They take a long time to stop being painful. Surgery shouldn't effect it at all, unless the surgeon manipulates them or bumps them then they may hurt worse for a while, but I doubt ythey will be better, except maybe with the postop pain meds. :-)
   — catleth

May 2, 2005
I was in a head on collision (not my Fault) and broke eight ribs. It was the worst pain (right up there with natural childbirth) and had my gall bladder taken out 22 days after the wreck and I had my gastric bypass 6 and a half weeks later and they didn't give me any trouble at all. I had laproscopic bypass surgery and I had no pain with the surgery. I think going through the pain of the broken ribs made my pain tolerance much higher. It took 6 weeks for the pain from the broken ribs to go away and after that they haven't bothered me at all. Good Luck with your surgery. I don't think the ribs will bother you any after your surgery. Lisa
   — Lisa E.