Question:
I have questions about pain after the surgery

I will be having an RNY soon (date has not been set, waiting on insurance). My question is, I know there will be pain, is slight or extreme. I am very concerned about pain after ther surgery as I have a very low tolerance for pain.    — SPECIAL_LADY (posted on April 21, 2010)

April 21, 2010
I didn't experience a lot of pain after surgery. While I was in the hospital, I had access to pain killers via the little clicker that gives doses directly through your IV. I was sent home with a vicodin prescription. I think I took three total. Good luck and don't worry unnecessarily.
   — spitfire0379

April 21, 2010
I will tell you what I experienced..The first 3 days feel very painful in your abdominal muscles. I don't have any upper body strentgh and you have to have it to pull yourself up, get out of bed and go to the bathroom. If it wasn't for the morhphine pump, PLUS toradol between, I would have never made it. The morphine did ok, and I wish I would have asked them to change it to something else. I won't lie, IT HURT BAD!...but, every persons experience is different. I am now a month out and that part is almost forgotten, you move on to the next stages so quickly, Now it is the pouch that is calling all the shots. You end up focusing all your energy and efforts on it...Good luck, it will all work out.
   — losriosgirl

April 21, 2010
Hi, I too had the morphine pump with a shot in between. The most pain I suffered was the gas pain. If you can walk and walk and walk to get it to move, the pain goes away. I was sent home with Loratabs 7 and was told to take it for a few days even if I didn't need it...that was to keep my pain under control. My thoughts were when I came home if I could just blow the roof off the house, I would feel so much better. LOL Good Luck, and it is not that bad...
   — tvinyard

April 21, 2010
ihad no pain pump and never used the happy button after surgury. iwas in one dayout the next for RNY nov 24 09. 3 factors are involved ,1 DR PESTA HFH MI.,2 HFH BARIATRIC program,3my constitution. i think all played a part . DR PESTA skill maybe the major reason why. good luck hank
   — hanksguns

April 22, 2010
Wouldn't the pain issue depend on whether you're having laparoscopic surgery or "open?"
   — [Deactivated Member]

April 22, 2010
You know, Tynisha, everyone is different with pain. Some feel it stronger than others, some deal with it better than others. My wife was concerned that I'd be a bit of a baby... maybe that's why I was determined not to be, but it really wasn't as bad as I feared. I did use the pain meds they gave me, and they did help. It also helps to walk, walk, walk. It literally makes the pain less... and it's good for you right after surgery so you don't get blood clots. You can handle it! Make sure you're honest with the nurses in the hospital if the pain meds aren't helping. They are supposed to help you feel OK as much as possible. Good luck! You'll be on the "loser's bench" soon!!
   — Greg K.

April 22, 2010
Mine was in the slight category. Never needed pain meds after I got home. Walking was the best thing for me to help get rid of the trapped gas, even if you don't feel like it, do it. Don't throw yourself a pity party but at the same time do let your nurses know how you're feeling. They are there to help you & communicate to your doctor what your needs are as far as pain goes. Just know everyone's journey is slightly different and that most folks feel like they made a bad mistake those first few days or so, but soon thereafter we are thanking our Creator, our surgeon and everyone else who supported us in our decision to have weight loss surgery. Get ready for the ride of a lifetime!
   — Arkin10

April 26, 2010
I was also very afraid of what to expect with the pain, but to my surprise I had very little pain. I didn't even need to take any pain medication. I was uncomfortable for a few days with gas and bloating. What helped me was lots and lots of walking, even when i didn't feel like it. One week out and i felt well enough to go back to work.
   — tinajp