Question:
How does the pain of open RNY compare to that of a C-section
I was just curious cause i am trying to get an idea of the amount of pain i will be in. — Amanda P. (posted on August 19, 2001)
August 19, 2001
I think the pain was about the same, but I think the recovery took longer
for me. I had the open RNY and that cut right up the middle across your
waist was very different for me than my 2 c-sections. I have to be very
careful about what type of waistbands I wear on my clothes, as they pinch
at the waist and can get uncomfortable. I didn't have this with
c-sections, since they were lower down. The actual surgery pain was about
the same, so if you handled the c-sections ok, then you will be fine with
this surgery. Good Luck!
— gina P.
August 19, 2001
I think everyone handels it different, the post op I "Angeled"
for thought the pain shouldn't be much more than the C-section too... but
she was cut straight down the middle, breast bone to belly button (she has
a short torso) and said the pain was MUCH worse then she expected.
— Elizabeth D.
August 19, 2001
I have had 4 c-sections and an open-RNY 6-19-01. I think that it is helpful
to have had other surgeries so as to know more what to expect. Overall,
pain is about same, but I found that due to the location of our incision,
that some of the breathing things were more difficult. My incision does not
go to my waistline so I didn't have to worry about that. But, just the
location of the incision is so different from our c-sections and is in so
much more full view, if you know what I mean. Overall, take pain meds as
needed, but get off quick as they can mess up your sleep, bowels, etc. And
you already know to get up ASAP and walk, walk, walk. Practice the
breathing exercises and hopefully you will have a binder as I did as they
are great! Best Wishes!
— Molly S.
August 19, 2001
Amanda, I had 3 c-sections and thought the pain would be comparable.
WRONG.. I had my RNY 6/18/01, and also had a large hernia repair at the
same time, my hernia was located right above my pubis and extended half way
to my navel, so I had 2 incisions, 1 for the RNY, and 1 along my old
c-section scar for the hernia repair. After several days I had no pain from
the hernia repair, but due to the location of the RNY incision, breathing
deeply, sitting up, lying down, standing up straight, was all painful,
wearing a binder helps tremendously and take your pain medication before
you are in too much pain, it gets better each and every day. I no longer
needed the Lortab I was given after a week. Be sure to move around (nothing
strenuous), but get plenty of rest post-op. Good luck.
— Angela S.
August 19, 2001
My experience is a bit different from the others. I had 3 c-sections and
thought the pain was worse for the sections than the open RNY. It was
different when it came to being able to roll over and stand up (harder with
the RNY), but it was a less severe pain, for me. I guess everyone is
different!
— beachbum6264
August 20, 2001
I had a hysterectomy and the pain was pretty bad. When I had
my open rny, I had pca pump (patient controlled analgesia) and
I had virtually no pain! When I began to feel a bit uncomfortable
I just pushed that little old button and got a shot of the pain
med...when I needed it....not when the nurse came around. It was
great. Definitely talk to your surgeon about it.
— [Anonymous]
August 20, 2001
I think the c-section was more painful, but I think I didn't notice it at
more because I was distracted by the little angel that resulted from the
procedure. Most of my pain with the RNY was from my back. They have you
flat on your back and if you have a big butt you know what that will do to
your back! I also couldn't lie on my side with the RNY, so I really had to
keep my knees elevated to keep on top of the back pain. I did find, too
that with the c-section I had a LOT of trouble getting up and down
(especially bed and toilet), but that the RNY didn't bother me in the least
in that respect. It probably helped, too that I had been doing strength
training with my legs and arms so I could let them do all the work instead
of my abs . . .
— ctyst
February 4, 2002
I have to disagree with the previous poster. My open RNY was MAJOR. When
I had my C-section, it was much easier on me. I believe it has to do with
the location of the RNY incision and number of muscles cut and
re-connected.
— DianeN
April 5, 2002
I had 2 c-sections, the 1st one was in 1986 and my 2nd was in 1989. The
pain from my RNY in Feb 00 was alot worse than both of my c-sections.
Probably because with both of my "Cs" I had a small horizontal
bikini line incision, just above my pubic area. The RNY scar starts
vertically from the bottom of my breastbone all the way to the top of my
belly button. Therefore, it is more opened area involved and more scar
tissues are being cut away and you will need to heal. Thank goodness for
the pain meds. The good news is the pain is only for a couple of days and
after about a good week or so you will feel like new! Good Luck!
— Echols L.
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