Question:
is there a lot of pain afterwards?
all i see are the sucess stories,i need to know what can go wrong and what to expect the days after the sugery — broyerkdb (posted on February 28, 2006)
February 28, 2006
Hi Karen, It sounds like you really need to go over the risks and
complications of the surgery with your Dr. , and there are some that you
need to be aware of.. as far as pain goes, yes there will be some pain and
discomfort. I think it depends on which surgery you choose. I went with
the open gastric bypass.. the days in the hospital were fine, I was there 3
days, they kept me very comfortable, I was able to get around and walk a
bit. When I went home and was off the epidural, then the pain set in.
However they did give me Loritab, which is basically a liquid vicodin and
they helped alot.. It wasnt horrible, just uncomfortable. the worst part
for me was trying to get comfortable to sleep the first few days and trying
to get up and down off of couches and chairs. I was able to maneuver some
furniture around to help me, and used a table tray to help me get up.
After a week things progressed wonderfully and they have been better and
better ever since, no regrets!!! I am 4 months out and down 66 pounds, no
more back or joint pain and off of all my meds!! Best wishes, April
— April
February 28, 2006
April is right-- because each surgeon's method is slightly different (and
because some surgeons will not perform the surgery laparoscopically), there
are differing risks of wound infections and incisional hernias. Also,
given differing levels of expertise, there are differing risks of
developing leaks.
During our new patient orientation program, we review the risks of each
surgical method and provide some insight into how those risks are managed
at our hospital. If you didn't get that information yet, ask for it.
Also, go to our group's Yahoo Group member page (CTBariatricSupport) and
access the studies we have posted which analyze the respective risks of the
various weight loss surgeries. Lastly, remember that two factors minimize
post-operative risks and pain: first, having the surgery performed by a
skilled surgeon (who has performed over 100 procedures) is the single
greatest factor in reducing mortality and secondly, having the procedure
performed laparoscopically will also minimize certain of the risks.
— SteveColarossi
February 28, 2006
We all have success stories, but I think you really need to research WLS
more. there is only a 85% chance of success, and there is a 55% divorce
rate so if you think this is success you really need to think of this
journey better. I lost 106 lbs, have triple the energy, wear my sons
clothing, and feeling the best of my life. I have also had 4 strictures, 1
hernia, numerious throwups, but am i complaining, hell no. Would i do this
again, in a heart beat. Yes, we ALL are successful, but we are not
complaining.
— Steve Cohen
February 28, 2006
THANKS FOR ANSWERING MY QUESTION SO QUICKLY, I DID NOT MEAN THAT I HAVE NO
CLUE .BUT I WANT TO KNOW FROM THOSE OF YOU HAVE GONE THREW IT WHAT TO
EXPECT..THE DOCTOR CAN TELL ME WHAT HIS OTHER PATIENTS HAVE EXPERIENCED BUT
I WANTED ACTUAL ANSWERS FROM REAL PEOPLE.I HAVE BEEN CHECKING INTO THIS
ALONG TIME. A FRIEND HAD THE BAND ,BUT I AM HAVING THE FULL BYPASS. IS
THERE A DIFFERENCE
— broyerkdb
February 28, 2006
It really depends on the person and how well they tolerate pain. I THOUGHT
I tolerated pain well, however, I was a wuss. I failed my leak test, so I
was in the hospital for 7 days. The first day after the surgery was the
worst, I was in alot of pain, but I had morphine to keep me happy. I slept
all day and all night, only to get up to go to the bathroom and to take the
walks I had to take.
But by the 3rd day in the hospital it was such an improvement. My stomach
hurt, but worst was the gas pain in my left shoulder.
I hope this helps!
Nicole
— Nicole S.
February 28, 2006
I can tell you that compared to natural childbirth, and open gallbladder
surgery, the pain is minimal. I had open Roux-en-y on Dec. 16th. The
first week is "rough". I didn't think it was excruciating,
though. I am pretty tough and my pain tolerance is pretty high. I never,
ever cried because it was so bad. I was uncomfortable and it was better
for me to sleep in a recliner for two weeks, because it was so much easier
to get up and down. I only stayed in the hospital for 24 hours. My doctor
requires that you get up and walk within one hour of your return to your
room. It was not bad, just tiring.
I am in a very tiny bit of pain still when I sneeze (I could blow a house
over with my type of sneezes, though) or cough. They think it's because of
the retractors and they cause some minor nerve damage that makes the skin
sensitive sometimes. It takes longer for nerves to heal than for the
incision to heal. I've had absolutely NO COMPLICATIONS. I would do this
again in a heartbeat!!!!! It's the best thing I could have ever done for
myself or my family. If you have any questions, please feel free to email
me. Best wishes and may God direct you to the right decision.
Michelle W.
— journey
February 28, 2006
Hi Karen,
I had my surgery on 02/23/06. I was on morphine until 02/25/06 and came
home with tylenol elixor for pain. I do not need the pain medicine now.
My surgery was performed laparoscopically with 6 small incisions. I wore
my stomach band while walking the first two days and did not need it after.
Most of my discomfort came from belching after taking in fluids/foods. I
had vomiting but believe it was because I mixed water with food which
causes vomiting. The pain was tolerable for me.
— Carolyn_N
February 28, 2006
Hi Karen, Everyone is different in what they feel, in most case
you are out of the hospital within 48 hr. & the pain is very minimal,
Yes, there is some, & you do have to learn how to eat
all over again, but, after you learn how to eat those 4 oz. of food 3 times
a day. you will be fine and on your way to the new smaller self. Some
people go back to work after just a few
days, I took the full 6 week off, you are having major surgery & your
body needs time to heal, even though you might think you feel o.k. Good
Luck & hope this helps you in you decision process. There is always
risks, but it is worth it all.
Marilyn, the Bearlady
— Marilyn C.
March 1, 2006
I had LAP RNY on 12/22/05 and was so worried that something would happen
and I would miss Christmas with my kids....but all went GREAT. I had my
surgery on a Thursday morning and was back to my room by lunch time. I was
a little groggy for several hours, but once I came out of it I was
surprised at the lack of pain. I was not on a pain med pump because I have
sleep apnea and they had to administer my pain meds by shot on my request.
Surprisingly I only requested 2 shots...and nothing after 11pm the night of
my surgery. I was up walking many times during the night...just could not
sleep because I was back and forth to the bathroom every hour. They were
pumping me full of fluids...which in turn came out. So instead of just
laying there I walked laps around my hospital floor. I really think this
is why the gas pains were not that bad for me. The next day I went home
around 1pm and before leaving refused the pain shot. In retrospect that
was probably a mistake because our 35 mile ride home took us 2 hours in ATL
Christmas traffic. Once home I did take my pain meds for the first couple
of days...but not due to severe pain...more for the discomfort...after that
it was totally smooth sailing.
— mmcphee1
March 4, 2006
check out regrets forum and problems forum just brose all of them! thats
what i did! had wls 12/15/05 very happy went to mexico! best of luck!
— vickig
March 4, 2006
check out regrets forum and problems forum just brose all of them! thats
what i did! had wls 12/15/05 very happy went to mexico! best of luck!
— vickig
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