Question:
When I take a deep breath in it feels like I'm being kicked directly in the stomach.

Is this a normal feeling? I'm only 5 days out, but I seem to have had this pain since day 1 just not as noticable with being "all drugged up".    — ashmom25 (posted on July 25, 2006)

July 25, 2006
Hi Laura! Congratulations, and welcome to the losing side! Your pain sounds like what I had after my operation. My doctor warns us that he uses some big "retention" stitches to hold things in place, and anything that moves the stomach is gonna hurt until it heals. When you take a deep breath, your diaphragm moves down, and presses on your stomach. This is probably what's causing the pain. But don't sit there and guess! Give your doctor a call, see what he has to say. Good luck! -- Mary
   — mwilson523

July 25, 2006
Its always best to call your surgeon just to be safe!
   — bob-haller

July 25, 2006
Hi Laura. I am 2 weeks post op and have had similar pain. I was sent home with a breathing machine. A portable plastic thing that you practice taking deep breaths into. You have to raise the ball to a certain level. I think that helped me . If you are concernedthough, call the doctor. Good luck!
   — LeighMcCall

July 25, 2006
I had similar pain for about 7-10 days. When I tooka big breath, bent the wrong way or coughed. If it lasts much longer definitely call the Dr. His fee includes ALL POST-OP CARE. NEVER FEEL FUNNY ABOUT CALLING THE DOCTOR. Besides, if something happens to you, that lowers their average of successes and the hate that! Ha! Ha!
   — WMKaisla

July 26, 2006
It sounds like you are having gas pains. When they do your surgery, they go in and fill you up with gas so that they can move things around in there. Are you having some pain in your left shoulder also? This is normal and the best way to get rid of it is to walk. The air or gasses will dissipatate with time. Some people have it worse then others. If the pain is sever, by all means, call your Doctor. Just to let you know, most of us have had it and it is normal.
   — jk_harris