Question:
So just how painful is it?

I'm so nervous...I have surgery in 3 days!!! Please, please tell me anything you can about what to expect when I wake up after my RNY...give it to me. The most painful things I've ever experienced have been a kidney stone and getting my tatoo....how does this compare?    — Tracey D. (posted on May 5, 2000)

May 5, 2000
In my case the pain from my Laparoscopic gallbladder removal was way more intense than my open RNY. I think I was better medicated for the RNY. I recall after my gallbladder surgery, waking up in the recovery room in EXTREME pain! After the RNY I just felt sore and woozy (Yea! Morphine pump!)I will say that I was completely recovered from the gallbladder surgery in less than a week and it took several months for me to fully recover from the RNY. But, any WLS and our lack of nutrition makes our bodies really have to work to recover. So I guess in my opinion it isn't the pain of WLS that's difficuly, it's the time it takes to get back your energy and start feeling your age (I thought, if this is what it's like to be 80 years old, just shoot me now.) I wish you all the best and I know that once you see what WLS does for you, any discomfort will be a distant memory and so worth it!
   — Morgan B.

May 5, 2000
I can only relate to the stones and tattoos based on what I've heard, but from what I've heard, you've already been through worse. I'm only 1 week post-op, and I'm not in too much pain anymore. I also have some wonderful liquid painkillers prescribed if it does act up a bit. The first few hours after surgery the most uncomfortable part for me was when they removed the respirator. I was so afraid I would throw up (like there was anything to throw up silly me), and it did hurt some, but not as bad as I imagined. Since then there have only been a few truly unbearable moments, one when they did my swallow test (dumped on barium) and the ride home on the expressway in a truck (VERY BOUNCY VERY PAINFUL - BRING A PILLOW). Most of the time I've just been generally sore.
   — Kasey K.

May 5, 2000
Well, naturally the first few days are the worst. I had a morphine pump for the first two days and I hit the button as often as I could because I have a low pain tolerance and wanted to feel as little pain as possible. Even with the pump I had quite a bit of discomfort when I moved but very little when I was lying still. The worst part was getting in and out of bed. (A word of advice...when getting in or out of bed put the head of the bed up as high as you can and try to just roll in or out-don't use your stomach muscles). I've never had any other surgery so I don't really have much to compare it to, but I do know the pain certainly wasn't intolerable. I do have 3 tattoos and I would have the say the surgical pain wasn't quite as painful as the tattoos, as long as I took my pain meds. (More advice...take your pain meds or hit your pain pump BEFORE the pain gets severe, don't wait). If your pain meds aren't working don't be afraid to ask for more, or something different. The more comfortable you are the more likely you are to walk, breathe deeply and do all the other things that will speed up recovery. The ride home from the hospital can be very hard so make sure you go home in a car with good suspension and take the smoothest roads possible! Every day the pain gets a little less and after less than 2 weeks I had no pain at all.
   — Kellie L.

May 5, 2000
I've had a tattoo. A tattoo is MUCH more painful than your recovery pain. I had a morphine pump the entire four days in the hospital and I believe the worst was the first 2 days.
   — [Deactivated Member]

May 5, 2000
Tracy, I had surgery on January 10, 2000. I was out of bed and feeling wonderful after only four days. I was completely off pain medication after two days. (I had the open RNY). My doctor told me he's never seen anyone recover as fast as I did! Just go in there with an absolutely positive attitude that you can handle the pain and it's not going to be bad. I've had two tattoos. They were pretty painful while happening but the pain wasn't too bad. I have to say the surgery was probably more painful. However, I just had my first kidney stone removed yesterday. It was hell on earth. It hurt much, much worse than having the surgery. I never asked for pain medication in the hospital and never touched it once I got home, but yesterday I begged them for some pain medication. Good luck with your surgery.
   — Jean M. G.

May 5, 2000
Thanks to everyone for your replies...I'm feeling a bit better now. I would love to e-mail each of you personally but my e-mail here at work doesn't let me send internet mail. I'm glad I found this site!
   — Tracey D.

May 5, 2000
Hi Tracey: I've had open RNY, a hydronephrosis (blocked ureter from other than a stone, but the effect is the same) and a kidney stone. The kidney pain is different, but comparable. The RNY pain is intense, be prepared. I mean YOWZA pain. Use your pain meds. It gets better every day. Pain won't kill you, and it was worth any pain (for me) to be on the Other Side! Good luck with your surgery! Jaye
   — Jaye C.

May 6, 2000
Well I have had 15 surgerys and think kidneys stones are about as bad as it can get. With those I just wanted to die LOL. Its not too bad and goes away quickly. Good Luck and welcome to the thin side. Tina
   — Tina F.