Question:
Can anyone tell me how bad the pain is after gastric bypass and how long does it last

   — marcia5000 (posted on January 15, 2009)


January 15, 2009
I am a total WIMP and my pain lasted about 36 hours after surgery. After that, I experienced discomfort for about 3 days when I moved around. It's not bad at all. I took pain pills for about 2 days, then moved to Tylenol. Warning: the pain pills made me nauseated because I had no food to take it with. Keep that in mind and you'll be fine. Good luck!!
   — mosie555

January 15, 2009
I got to my room about 9:50pm on Tuesday... at midnight I was asking to get up and walk. I used the provided pain pump for about the first 24 hours. Wednesday night I hadn't used the pump so they took me off of it Thursday morning and told me to ask for pain meds of I needed it. I did not need it and I left the hopital Friday morning. The Dr. gave me a perscription to get filled for pain at home... never did. I made sure I did lots of walking around and sitting in a chair at the hospital before I left, so that helped. The only thing I couldn't do was reach my feet to put on shoes and socks... All pain was gone within a week or two... although, your energy level is a different story... for me it took about 8 weeks to have energy. I would be tired after getting dressed. But one thing I can tell you... no two people are alike with the WLS experience.
   — Emeraldsky

January 15, 2009
I didn't feel like it was pain. It was more of a discomfort. I just took liquid tylenol the day after surgery. It was totally no big deal as far as the pain/discomfort was concerned.
   — Carlyn M.

January 15, 2009
With Open RNY their is pain from severe to mild for 6mos to a year! With Lap RNY is a fraction of that time...
   — .Anita R.

January 15, 2009
I had an open rny in Apr 2006...the pain was significant but managed with meds, I had a bowel obstruction a year later from adhesions...it was much worse pain, and yet, even with 2 surgeries and the painful memories I would do it again in a heartbeat. I am a size 4 and feel great. My biggest complaint now is that I get cold easily.
   — pamela

January 15, 2009
Oh hon, that's a very subjective question, because it depends on the person's ability to tolerate pain. Pain has a lot to do with your expectation as well. If you expect lots of pain, you're probably going to suffer more. Put a positive image in your mind of you walking the halls of the hospital after your surgery in relative comfort. They will give you meds if you hurt so the rest is just something to worry over and worry doesn't help anything.
   — Shirley D.

January 15, 2009
i had open ryn in dec 08 and used pain meds for only 48 hrs and nothing after. and i am a wimp too.
   — pinky_711

January 15, 2009
As everyone has told you, everyone has a different experience. I had some pain for the first 24 hours but being active helps a great deal. Walking is good after any surgery. It usually all subsides unless there is some unforseen problem. Good Luck and God Bless. vinnigirl, retired RN
   — vinnigirl

January 15, 2009
As previuosly stated, pain is an individual thing. I had Lap RNY 12/09/2008 and was up and walking that night. Pain was more like discomfort. I had more discomfort due to the gas build up. Walking helped....Walk Walk Walk; even if it's just a few steps at a time. I came home a day earlier than expected, slept in my own bed with little or no discomfort. Pain was managed with Tylenol. My energy level was limited. Take advantage of nap time to regenerate! Good Luck! I am sure you'll be fine. Be sure to keep us posted!
   — Fircrkr64

January 15, 2009
I had Lap RNY on Sept 25. They didn't take out my gallbladder. I had maybe 2 days of pain meds after I went home. I was in the hospital overnight. Dr Luis Gorospe did my surgery and I've had NO pain since being off the morphine for those 2 days. He did a wonderful job! Down 96 pounds! You'll do great!
   — Jean Ann T.

January 15, 2009
I had laposcopic RNY on Monday,January 5th. Four hours after surgery I was up and walking. I had a pain pump in the hospital but didn't use it much. The afternoon of the second day I changed to oral pain medication. I went home that day, Tuesday. I continued the pain medication through Thursday and then stopped. I never needed anything else. I only get a twinge now and then and it is not bad enough to bother taking tylenol. You will be just fine. I was surprised at how little pain there was compared my hysterectomy. Don't be afraid. I'm down 16 pounds already and only 10 days out! It is really worth it. Even better yet, inspite of my family having regular meals, I am not hungry for them. I fill up quickly and even though their food smells good, I am not hungry, so it is easy to resist. (I have even prepared some of them without taking a nibble!) :-)
   — gramX6

January 15, 2009
I had lap RNY, no pain only minor discomfort. My c-sections were worse. Recovery for me was dealing with the exhaustion. It took many weeks before I started feeling like I had any energy. It takes the insides a lot longer than that to heal - a doc told me about 7 months.
   — gonnadoit

January 16, 2009
No pain, more of a discomfort while in the hospital; but did get the liquid pain med scrip filled after I got home because my back hurt so badly from the hospital bed!
   — dnefews

January 16, 2009
Had Lap RNY on 12/10/08. Minimum pain in Hospital, slight discomfort at home, never took any of prescribed pain meds. Energy levels were OK as long as I followed meal plan. You will do fine, it is worth it. I am down almost 40# in 6 weeks. Feeling great, back at work and all. Good luck and all the best for the "new" you! carolcooper
   — carolcooper




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