Question:
IS the surgery painful?

how long does pain from stomache staplein last?? IM 15 very scared!    — [Anonymous] (posted on September 3, 2000)

September 3, 2000
SWEETHEART I ALSO AGREE, EVERYONE CAN TOLERATE PAIN DIFFERENTLY, AND THE MEDICATION WILL HELP ALOT. I WISH I WOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS SURGERY WHEN I WAS 15, BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE HAD IT. I WAS VERY HEAVY GROWING UP AND WAS THE ROOT OF OTHERS BEING VERY MEAN. YOU ARE YOUNG AND WILL HEAL FASTER THEN ALOT OF US, YOU WON'T HAVE THE BAGGY SKIN THAT WE WILL HAVE. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU SAFE AND HEALTHY. GOOD LUCK IN ALL THAT YOU DO.
   — smul3

September 4, 2000
It is hard to know what you have experienced that you can compare the pain to. I think the pain from surgery didn't compare to the emotional pain that I suffered being overweight all of my life, especially as a teenager. The saying that kids can be cruel is magnified as a teen. But back to the surgery pain. When they started giving me oral pain meds in the hospital (2 days after surgery) I really didn't need them. My husband suggested that I take one that night so that I could sleep good (my back was achy from laying) so I did. I ended up dry-heaving from it and decided that I didn't need to take them after all. My surgeon sent me home with a perscription for 100 Darvocet and I only used one of them. So I wouldn't say that it is so very painful. I think it really helps if you go into it thiking that it won't be that bad. And if it is for you, then they will give you whatever you need to control the pain. Hope this helps. I only wish that I would have had this opportunity at the age of 15.
   — livnliter

September 4, 2000
Yes. It's painful. Not nearly as painful, though, as thinking about my young daughter growing up without her Mom. Nothing is as painful as thinking about that. I have a pretty high tolerance for pain, but I don't LIKE to be in pain. My doctor was aware of this, and medicated me accordingly. If you're worried about the pain, tell your doctor and anesthesiologist that you want to have NO PAIN. Ask them what your options are for pain management, how each of them works, then YOU decide how you can best handle the situation. Remember this: it gets better each day as you move through recovery. And, a little pain is a small price to pay for the health benefits you can receive from this surgery. One last thought: pain will not kill you. Obesity WILL! Good luck with your decision.
   — Jaye C.