Question:
I am three and 1/2 weeks post-op from a lap RNY and I feel terrible. I really regret
my decision. My left incision is very painful on the surface and down deep. I cant lay on my left side because of intense pain, my pouch hurts and is tender to the touch. I have pain low across my back under the shoulder blades and I feel ill whenever I eat or drink. Im so sad and Im getting so weak but my Drs office seems unconcerned. — maria R. (posted on September 19, 2003)
September 19, 2003
I am very concerned about you also. It does NOT sound good. I would keep
calling my surgeon's office until he agreed to see me or something... or
better yet... show up at the emergency room and see what happens if you
can't get in to see your doctor. At 3-1/2 weeks out I was back to work....
before that really.... I went back to work 10 days after surgery. I am
worried... CALL NOW!!! God Bless your journey!
— Eleanore Davis
September 19, 2003
I agree with the previous poster! I too had an open RNY and was back to
work after two weeks. I did have some tenderness and it was uncomfortable
at times to lay on my sides, but it was not to the point in which you
describe. I was feeling pretty great at 3 weeks post op. I would insist
on seeing the surgeon and if he/she can't see you today... go to urgent
care or the ER. Better safe than sorry. Keep us updated.
— Kamy
September 19, 2003
I am also concerned. Please go to any doctor. I had lap rny and I was up
and around with in the first week - felt great by week 3.
— kandi S.
September 19, 2003
My post is a little different from the others. I had lap RNY four weeks ago
today. Although it went great, I wasn't up on my feet as quickly as I
thought. I only came back to work this week. My left incisions were so sore
that I couldn't sleep in my bed for 10 days. In fact, I still have
discomfort at times on my side. Is your mattress very firm? I have a Select
Comfort and found that when I softened up the bed it helped tremendously.
Maybe an eggcrate for your mattress is a possibility. I have a low pain
tolerance and told my doctor this. His response was "everyone is
different and responds to surgery differently. You have had major surgery,
even if the outside incisions aren't much cause for pain, the inside is
different. You have been totally replumbed and it just takes time for it to
heal. It will not be fully healed for 6 weeks. Be patient with
yourself." After two weeks, I was feeling pretty good, but no where
near normal, and was not ready to go back to work like a lot of others
were. I had a grueling day yesterday, and was extremely uncomfortable last
night from doing some things I shouldn't. In fact, I still took my pain
medicine several weeks out because of the discomfort at night. I was told
not to hesitate to take it when I felt like I needed it, that it would make
me much more comfortable. As long as it used as directed, there are no
addiction problems. Don't feel bad if your healing isn't as fast as others.
Some people, especially diabetics, heal slower, and you just have to be
patient with your body. The best thing you can do is get as much rest as
possible. It also sounds to me like you have Three different things going
on here. First the incision pain, second is the pouch/back pain, and
thirdly, could you be suffering from a touch of depression? Is there a
chance that the pain from your pouch and back is gall bladder pain? And are
you on pureed foods only drinking/eating no more than a few ounces at a
time? If you are doing that, I would insist that your surgeon see you.
After all, you paid him how much money to do this surgery? He should be at
your disposal. DOn't feel bad that you aren't progressing as much as others
do. You are your own person and will heal and be back on your feet in your
own time.
— Denise B.
September 19, 2003
I agree that if you are concerned, you should seek medical advice.
However, unlike previous posters, I don't necessarily think you have
anything to worry about. THese are very common syptoms following major
surgery. Even though I returned to work in less than two weeks after
surgery, my left side was quite sore and tender for a good two months after
surgery. I was unable to lie on it. If there are no signs of infection in
your wound, then chances are, it's trying to heal. The pain in your back
and shoulders is quite likely trapped gas from when the distend your
abdomen during the surgery. The illness and nausea are a common problem
that some patients face early on. Your newly arranged digestive tract has
to relearn to work together again. That takes time. Again, if you are
truly concerned that something is medically wrong, seek professional
advice. It is not unusual to have some regrets as an early post-op. Life
can be uncomfortable, and even painful. The whole new routine can become
overwhelming. And, to top it off, you don't have food to comfort you. I'm
sympathetic, but I don't think your situation is unique. Another five or
six weeks will make all the difference in the world.
— Vespa R.
September 19, 2003
I'm almost 4 wks post-op & today is the first day I feel anywhere near
good. I haven't been able to sleep on my side yet and have been extremely
weak & queezy. I haven't even the energy to puree my foods.
— Vicki V.
September 19, 2003
Sorry, I wasn't finished!! My doctor said part of the 'weakness' is from
the change of calorie intake. There's so much our bodies are going thru
& the healing process takes time.
I can't get over those who are back at work in 2 wks...no way could I have
done that!! Kudos to them!!
Today is the best day so far in spite of the fact I have to force myself to
eat...but you have to keep telling yourself it will get better.
Best of luck!!
— Vicki V.
September 19, 2003
I'm 4 weeks Post OP. I experienced initial discomfort with my incisions for
the first week and a 1/2 but the swelling went down and now I can sleep on
my stomach. It sounds like you need to have an Upper GI test done on your
puch to see if you have leaks.
— jcooper
September 19, 2003
Maria, call your surgeons office and ask for an appt for next week. I
don't know if you have a problem or not, but if you are really feeling
badly you should see your doctor and asked for his opinion. It is your
right as a patient. I'm sure you would feel better also if your doctor
reconfirmed that it was "nothing to worry about". I hope you
feel better soon. It does take a while to recover from any surgery.
— [Deactivated Member]
September 19, 2003
We pretty much all felt that... so soon out. It soon changes.
— Karen R.
September 19, 2003
Back to your doc NOW. I had a pain in my right side that cut off my
breath. I went back into the hospital with a previously uncaught infection
and stayed in an extra week. This may not be what you have, but do NOT
ignore that pain!!!
— defatbroad
September 19, 2003
I felt like total crap for the first month after surgery.I had an extreme
amount of pain on the left side, which I was told was due to that is where
the stapler is inserted and it has to go through a lot of muscle and
nerves.My back was also very sore due to how they have to position you on
the operating table.The Gas was causing alot of painful pressure
also.Everything eased up by about 5 weeks postop.In your case it may be
something like that also but if it keeps up or gets worse I would
definately get a hold of your surgeon.
— jennifer A.
September 20, 2003
i am 10 weeks out and i am finally starting to feel better i was weak had
no energy and generally justfelt blousy and felt the same way you did
regreting the whole thing you will get over this and when you start losing
all that wieght youll forget you ever felt that way. down 65 rny/7/7/03
— a C.
September 20, 2003
You should never ignore your body when it hurts. It could be something
wrong or nothing wrong. Better safe than sorry. Having said that, It took
about 5 or 6 weeks after surgery to start feeling better. For the first 3
or 4 weeks I kept asking myself 'what in the h$!! did I do to myself?' It's
normal to have second and third thoughts afterwards, and it is normal to be
tired and lethargic. You've just had major surgery, and your body needs
time to adjust. (I know, no one likes to hear it takes time). Also
remember no 2 poeple respond the exact same way. I was in sooo much pain
when I woke up, and I hear stories that other post op's breezed thru it.
I'm 19 weeks out, and down 70 lbs. For me, it has been worth it, and would
do it again in a heartbeat if necessary. Good luck and God bless
— mellyhudel
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