Question:
Miserable with pain, 9 days post-op LAP RNY

I'm just over one week post-op and miserable with pain! Everything was going well until drain and staples were removed on Tuesday, July 1st. Ever since, I've had to take pain meds around the clock. Every time I turn, move, or walk, I get a painful pulling and burning pain along the route of where the drain was located. Dr. Mehta told me yesterday that it wouldn't be an infection unless I had a temp higher than 100.5, which I don't. I know this will take time, but I'm actually feeling worse each day, rather than better. Have any of you post-ops experienced the above? I'll call Dr. Mehta again on Monday if it doesn't get better. Taking pain meds around the clock is crazy, particularly when I didn't need them prior to drain removal as much.    — David F. (posted on July 4, 2003)

July 4, 2003
If your still feeling bad tomorrow satuday call your surgeon. This is a better safe than sorry situation. Some problems might not show up with a high fever. Your surgeon can have you seen at the ER to make sure your OK.
   — bob-haller

July 4, 2003
How much water liquids are you getting in? Dehydration can make you feel worse, and is nothing to ignore. Its possible some of your feeling bad can be from that.
   — bob-haller

July 4, 2003
I don't have anything to add, really, except to say that I sure hope you feel better tomorrow! I felt gradually better each day, so it must be a drag to feel worse. Do call your doc tomorrow if worse -- I've read often eough that sometimes you have to be persistent and assertive. You know your body better than he does. Take care!
   — [Deactivated Member]

July 4, 2003
David, I can relate to what you are experiencing and it sounds to me like you are having what my Dr. warned sometimes happens to people post op. He said that for some people they have slow healing in the area to the left where they did alot of work and it gets swollen and inflammed some. It can create enormous pain for some and he said that if it persist to be bad that they can inject a shot of cortisone in the site and it works quickly to releave the pain. I had a milder form that lasted about two weeks and it cleared up just before I was ready to go in for the shot. I've heard the shot is a lifesaver for many. GOOD LUCK!
   — Noreen M.

July 4, 2003
My opinion is that a person really knows there is something not right. Just because you're not running a certain number on the thermometer, doesn't mean that something isn't right. When I had major complications from my TT, I "got worse every day" and just felt something wasn't right. Get everything checked right away. Best of Luck!!
   — ZZ S.