Question:
How would you compare this surgery to gall bladder surgery?

I had terrible experience with gall bladder surgery. I had muscle spasms in my incision each time I moved or breathed. Morphine did not touch the pain. My surgeon tells me this might happen again. I am very nervous about this and don't want it to cause me to back out. Has anyone else had such an experience? I've had other abdominal surgeries before that, with no problem.    — [Anonymous] (posted on May 5, 1999)

May 5, 1999
I'm not sure about the comparison with GB surgery as I had it at the same time, but I do know they can give you something other than Morphine. Last year I had a revision, couldn't get any pain relief for the first 2 days with Morphine, they finally gave me so much I went into respiratory arrest, then they finally changed me to Dilaudid for pain & I was just fine. Just tell your surgeon from the very start that you don't want Morphine. Best of luck. Sharon
   — Sharon H.

May 5, 1999
I wouldn't let the pain of surgery scare you off. After all, if you dont' have this one, and remain morbidly obese, you are GUARANTEED to have others. One way or another. I had "retractor pain". Since they rather part you like curtains for elbow room, sometimes you get a pain in the rib area. I wasn't crazy about it, and I've had LOTS Of other surgeries, but hey, it was OH SO WORTH IT. And my 1973 gall bladder removal was WAY worse!
   — vitalady

May 6, 1999
I had surgery 2 mths. ago and haven't had any problems. The pain I did experience was well worth it. Of course, I just had the normal pain expected with surgery. I would definately do it again. I have no regrets. Christine
   — Christine Y.

May 6, 1999
Muscle spasms are very common in the abdoman after any wls. However, as you mentioned the morphine didn't help, it shouldn't. For muscle spasms, they should have given you a muscle relaxer. I did have muscle spasms after my VBG, but the muscle relaxers helped quite a bit. There may have been some slight discomfort, but nothing compared to the spasms I've had in my back, hips and legs from years of obesity!
   — PollyAnna F.

May 12, 1999
Gall bladder surgery was more painful in my opinion. I had VBG and never needed pain medicine after leaving the hospital. I felt great and was up and around in no time.
   — Donna D.

May 12, 1999
I have had both laparoscopic cholecystectomy and laparoscopic RNY. The RNY was somewhat more painful, but not too bad. I requested to be switched to pain pills the second morning and did fine. After a few days, tylenol was sufficient.
   — Diane N.

May 12, 1999
I have had both laparoscopic cholecystectomy and laparoscopic RNY. The RNY was somewhat more painful, but not too bad. I requested to be switched to pain pills the second morning and did fine. After a few days, tylenol was sufficient.
   — Diane N.

November 7, 1999
I am not really answering your question I guess, but my surgeon takes out the gallbladder (if you still have one) when he does the "Memphis Bypass" as he calls it. I will have only one "Owie"!! I just went for my initial office visit on Thursday. Wish me luck as my insurance benefits handbook states that it won't cover any surgeries or treatments for obesity...
   — Beverly M.