Question:
How 'sore' is sore?

A couple of co-workers of mine have had this done, and I believe the word they both used was "excruciating". This scares me, as I will need to have this done. And they say a person remains sore for a while. How long? HELP!! thanks, Dani    — Danielle G. (posted on October 20, 2000)

October 20, 2000
This is going to depend on the person and how much pain or discomfort you can tolerate. The only time I experienced "excruciating pain" was when I was in the recovery room, and it took the nurses a few minutes to get my pain meds regulated properly. Other than that, what I felt was mild discomfort to tenderness. For several weeks, I felt very tender and therefore took it really slow. Don't let this scare you. If you believe in advance the pain will be intolerable and excruciating, then it will be. WLS is major abdominal surgery. It's unrealistic to think we won't feel anything. Whatever discomfort you feel, the results will be well worth it. :)
   — Paula G.

October 20, 2000
Hi Dani: I think its best to remember that everybody has their own level of pain tolerance. I used to think I was a big sissy until my dentist told me I had a high level of pain tolerance; he should know - he's done extensive work on my teeth. Excrutiating to me means intense pain at all times. Excrutiating was when the emergency doctor tried to straighten my knee when I tore the meniscus. WLS was not that way for me at all. I was sore - sore meaning muscley, incisiony type pain, and really only upon moving or any other kind of exertion. The real pain for me immediately post op was that I couldn't get comfy in bed for awhile and my back ached (I characterize this as a constant dull pain) for about 10 days...but hey, Vicodin isn't just for surgical pain, and I managed it. You really just don't know if you will be one of the lucky ones who swear they didn't have surgery, or if you will be one of those that doesn't suffer pain lightly until you go through it. Please take everyone's comments with a grain of salt - even if they've gone through it, it doesn't mean you will too. Good Luck to you!
   — Allie B.

October 20, 2000
Haven't had tummy tuck. I'm 8 days post-op from distal RNY and would describe "soreness" level as what you'd expect from doing 500 more sit-ups than you're used to, from 2nd post-surg day to date. (1st day was more uncomfortable, but tolerable with meds.) I went home on 3rd day and have had no difficulty taking care of myself alone. Even if TT is worse, I'll bet you can tolerate whatever you need to if you've gotten through the initial surgery! Good luck.
   — Linda B.