Question:
To be expected or Not?

I am about four weeks out from surgery and have been experiencing a sharp pain on my left side, off and on all day. Is this just one of those things that are to be expected? Does anyone have any idea as to what causes this to happen and what I could do differently. Also, is it normal to hit a plateau at 3 weeks out.    — B J. (posted on November 10, 2006)

November 10, 2006
Hi BJ I to am about 4 weeks out (10/16/06 RNY). I have not experienced the sharp pains but have already hit a plateau. I had lost 30 lbs. the first three weeks then nothing for a bout a week. Then the other day I had noticed that I had finally lost another pound. Have not checked today so no idea about today. But yes, I do believe this is normal. Hang in there we will do fine! Best of luck. Jean
   — Jean N.

November 10, 2006
Hey, sorry to hear about your pain. Did your Dr. do a Lap RYN? if so, the left side where the majority of the procedure is performed. This is where the Dr. enters to do most of his work on your insides. If you had an open RYN, the pain on your left side, could still be from the work the surgeon does. I know that one day I was feeling really well, after only 3 weeks, but then I coughed without any warning and ever since then it felt as if someone had punched me in my side. It hurt for days, I called the Dr. office and they said that the pain is normal and should stop after a few weeks, but I could still have some pain even after a year being post op. As for the plateau, I have been reading several peoples' journals and the majority of those stated that every 3 weeks ones seem to get stuck in a plateau and then things begin to move again. It has been explained to me, that your body is getting used to the change from the surgery and it takes time to adjust and let go of the weight. Therefore there will be several plateaus, just keep following the rules of the pouch and you will be fine. Hope to hear you are feeling better soon. Congrats on having the courage to making you body healthier and coming to the losing side!!
   — bubblegumgirl

November 11, 2006
I had severe pain in my lower abdomen within a week of R-N-Y surgery. I had a CT scan done and it turned out to be caused by a blood clot in on of my large intestinal veins. (Seems that major clots anywhere can cause great pain, not just with heart attack.) Get this checked out with your doctor. You do NOT need any major loss of what remaining bowel function you now have.
   — [Deactivated Member]

November 14, 2006
I too experienced sharp pains under my left rib cage. Gallbladder removed, pain removed! I can only hope you have been taking your Actigal. I did take my medication, but not religiously and had to learn the lesson the hard way. Not that this is your problem. I would recommend you contact your surgeon at your earliest convenience.
   — sby949