Question:
Does anyone have suggestions on handling the pain?

My surgery was suppose to only take 2 hours but I had some problems that went on and it became a 5 1/2 hour surgery.    — Rettawren37 (posted on April 25, 2008)

April 24, 2008
I also had complications and was put on Percodin. My surgery was more like 7 hours. Had major scar tissue to be taken out. Ask your dr. for something for the pain. I ended up in ICU for more than the normal time you are supposed to be there. The pain I can empathize with you. I never had any relief for about a month and a half. The pain gets better and you will be able to deal with it as it eases.
   — nascar_angel_3_2003

April 25, 2008
I didn't think the pain would ever end...I had open RNY and had pain for 6 months...Doc only gave me a month script of oxycodin...Which was not enough and when I asked for more they would not give me anymore...So at the end of my bottle I was cutting them in half to try to take only when absolutely necessary...I alternated with tylenol in the non-coated tablet which has almost no bad flavor (so I chewed that lightly just to break it up and swallow) and I found that it really did take the edge off the pain. I underestimated plain ole' tylenol! It gets easier! I wore a binder too, (like a girdle) and it held me nice and tight so even deep breathes or sneezes felt contained and easier to handle...It helped with the pain too...or maybe it was psychological...like a big hug... Good luck...Try tylenol, but crush it for now so you absorb it! (Don't get those coated caplets...they are impossible to crush)
   — .Anita R.

April 25, 2008
Just call your sergeon and he will give you a perscription for what he feels is best for you. Their are a lot of the pills for pain that come in liquid, so if you have any problems swallowing, as for liquid meds. Best of success to you.
   — William (Bill) wmil

April 25, 2008
The pain should slowly get better day by day a little at a time. In the meantime, I would call your surgeon and request some Hydrocodone. It is liquid Lortab- easy to get down and really helped me with the pain. As with one of the previous authors, I wore an abdominal binder. The more you get up and move around, even though it hurts terribly, the quicker you will heal. Remember to cough and deep breathe so you don't get pneumonia and end up back in the hospital. I slept in a recliner instead of my bed the first night and then actually used my uncle's adjustable bed for another week. I had LapBand along with an open hernia repair with an 8 inch incision. It was also a lengthy surgery with serious pain. You can rent an adjustable bed if that helps. Celebrex helped me as well. Some surgeons will allow it, some won't. Might be something to look into. Good luck, welcome to the loser's bench, Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
   — DawnVic

April 26, 2008
I also had an extended surgery, and wound up in the hospital for 6 days and going home with an IV and feeding tube. Recovery was MUCH longer than expected, and at times I had doubts as to whether I should have done it at all, but in the long run it was well worth it. The pain seemed to go on Forever, But in the end, it was well worth it! Your doctor needs to be advised of EVERYTHING that you are experience in order to help you properly, NO MATTER HOW unimportant it may seem to you!
   — Linda K.

April 27, 2008
I know it is hard right now! I had some of the same problems with pain. I have a low tolerance for pain, I went home with liquid loratab,which I was allergic to(broke out in hives on most of my body) I was given ultracet which did much of nothing for my pain. I thought it was in my head or that I was just supposed to be in a little pain at 3 weeks post op. My doctor told me I should have not been in pain at that point. After going to the emergency room 2 times post op with pain, I was finally readmitted to the hospital and had to be seen by the pain management team, that put me on neurotin, soma and percocet. After a week I was completely out of pain. I just slowly cut the times of doses down a little at a time until I was totally off of the meds. You may want to talk to your doctor to see if they can come up with a different regimen for the pain. Hope you fell better soon!
   — newrules