Question:
3 Months Post Op; When Will It Go Away??

I had my surgery 3 months ago (Open RNY). One of the lingering side effects of the surgery was nerve damage to my right thigh. Apparently when the midline incision is made, there are nerves in the abdominal area that are connected to the thigh and legs. Well, my right thigh (from the knee to my hip) was affected. Since right after surgery, it is painful to touch or brush up against my thigh at times. There are other times when the thigh goes completely numb. My surgeon told me that in time, the numbness and pain will subside. Well, it has been 3 months and I am still experiencing pain and tingling. In addition to my right thigh, I also have a vein thrombosis in my right wrist which bugs me, and a cracked rib. I guess it sounds worse than it is....In all honesty, it has been well worth everything! I have lost a total of 84 pounds in 13 weeks and am feeling terrific. I just wish the thigh pain/numbness would go away. Has anyone else experienced this? If so, how long before it went away? THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kathie (in Hawaii).............    — KathieInHawaii (posted on November 11, 2002)

November 11, 2002
You know when I read this, I had to post. The same exact paid and numbness you are feeling is part of what led me to having this surgery (date Open RNY 12/2/02). I was having numbness and pain in mainly my left thigh area. It sound exactly what you are decribing. My PCP told me my weight was putting too much pressure on a nerve in my abdomen and pinching it. This is when he recommended to me the surgery. He also referred me to a neurologist to be sure. The neurologist confirmed what my PCP had expected, that my weight had caused that nerve to "kink" and cause numbness and paid. He told me it was called maralgia peritosis or numb thigh. I told him at that time I was considering RNY and he agreed it would help. He said there is basically no way to operate or correct, it has to work itself out. I don't know if this helps you, but maybe yours is similar to mine. Maybe your rapid weight loss has shifted something, or maybe even the surgery did and cause that nerve to kink. I feel for you, because mine hurts all the time as well. Hopefully the surgery will help. Good luck to you and I hope for your sake it corrects itself. And, by the way, congrats on your fantastic weight loss!!! :)
   — Michelle A.

November 11, 2002
I sliced my index finger once, along the inside edge, and I should have gotten stitches, but I didn't. Once it wasn't wrapped in guaze anymore, I noticed that the top surface of my finger was in some spots numb like wood, and in other places it "burned" when touched. Really annoying and painful. I worked with a physical therapist at the time who said, "Nerve damage. It will get better eventually." And it did. It took a long time, but (A) I cut myself on a jagged, dirty piece of window glass and (B) I didn't get treatment. So even with that working against me, it did get all better. Hopefully someone who has had your same experience will answer you, with an answer much more useful than this, but I did want to say that I had nerve damage, and it did heal itself. (I'm typing with said finger right now!)
   — Kim A.

November 11, 2002
I had the same problem after my first c-section and it didn't go away until after my second c-section 15 months later. Would it have went away on it's own? I have no idea. But I'm pleased it's gone!
   — [Deactivated Member]

November 11, 2002
Hi Kathleen: The exact same thing happened to me in my right arm. I have such difficulty with IV's, that after surgery I could not have my right arm at my side to even walk down the street. A nerve was damaged with the numerous IV's, and this lasted for at least 10 weeks. I know you hate to hear that you just have to bear with it, it will go away, but that is what I was told. It did eventually go away, but it took an extremely long time. Love Grace
   — Grace H.

November 11, 2002
I have a numb right thigh but I had it long before my surgery. My doc said it was fat pressing the nerve in my leg. It comes and goes, so days are worse than others. Maybe it will go away after weight loss, who knows. I have learned to ignore it.....
   — Debbie W.

November 12, 2002
THis is not escatly like you described, BUT, Since my open RNY I have trouble with my right thigh when sitting in one position or more accurately, when I drive in a car longer than 1 1/2 hours. It starts to hurt. Now, pre surgery the only things that occurred when driving long distances were tingling fingers and a sore butt. I have to get out of the car and walk around some til it goes away. It is annoying, and I keep hoping that as I lose even more the shift will end whatever is causing it.
   — Jenny_B

November 12, 2002
Kathie, I have the same exact thing on the surface of my left thigh. Its been 9 months and I still have it. I'm beginning to think that it will never go away. I think there was some nerve damage due to surgery and that I may just have to live with it. Small price to pay for getting my life back, though.
   — Cindy R.

November 12, 2002
I am 8 weeks post op (open rny) and having the same leg problem. I went to neurologist who referred me to pain clinic, who is doing nerve blocks on my hip (one so far). My surgeon also told me it would go away, but too uncomfortable to wait for slow disapearance. I had a bit of a problem before surgery, but the surgery certainly aggrevated the situation.
   — Karen B.