Question:
Does anyone know if taking lots of pain killers for years before surgery will affect

I have had to take a lot of pain killers due to previous surgery and chronic back pain. As we know most contain codeine and that can cause severe constipation. I am terrified that I will go to the pre-admit. clinic and I will be told I can't have surgery due to problems from the pain killers. Please advise if anyone has any insight into this. Thanks    — UMMADUMMASS (posted on April 10, 2002)

April 10, 2002
I had 5 surgeries previous to WLS last November. I have been on numerous pain killers, so many that I couldn't count or name them all. I didn't have any problems. I was majorly constipated and backed up the first week home, but that is mainly due to anesthesia slowing down your system (and it does!). For a year before WLS I had been on narcs due to a herniated disc in my back which was causing chronic pain. I have 'failed back syndrome' where I had surgery once on my back in '91 at the young age of 22, and the problems just continues up the spine. WLS has practically cured me of my pain!! Sorry to detail so much, but it really excites me!! Back to the drugs...I did have one problem and I think that it was related to being on drugs for so long. When I had my strictures dilated, the first time they didn't give me enough meds to knock me out and I remember a lot of the procedure and it was horrible. In the end they said that they had to give me enough for a horse. My surgeon also said that if he had been given that amt. that he would be knocked out for a week. The second time they were prepared and it went much much smoother. I attribute this problem from being on narcotics for way too long. But no more. Sorry for yakking too much. If you have any more questions, please email me.
   — Cheri M.

April 10, 2002
I had been on daily painkillers and muscle relaxers for 2 years prior to my surgery and I am still on them for a leg condition. I had no problems because of them .
   — C. L.

April 10, 2002
well i know for me the only problem i had was that they had to give me a much stronger dose of pain medcine after surgery because from me taking so much pain medicine before surgery my tolerance level was very high so when i came out of surgery i suffered for about 8 hours on the dose of morphine they were giving me but i really could not move or talk much so actully i was in alot of pain untill i finally came to a little from the local they give you and there was a nurse or i should say an angel standing there asking me how was my pain i told her it was bad even though iwas on the moraphine she looked at my chart and saw all the pain meds i was on before the surgery she could not believe nobody read my chart and saw that so she right away ordered a heavy duty pain medcine for me besides the morphine they gave me 30 mills of dyloda along with toradol shots which made the pain much better so when you get your surgery you make sure you tell them that you have been taking pain meds for along time so you don't have to suffer like i did and remind them because you will be compleatly out of it when you get out of surgery.good luck
   — KIM B.

April 10, 2002
You may have a higher tolerance to pain meds. Be sure to discuss this with your Dr. pre-op. Most of us with weight problems have needed pain meds for joint and back problems so your situation won't be new to your Dr. Be sure you learn about the hospitals pain scale and make your Dr aware of what level on the pain scale you expect to be kept at. That can affect what he orders for as needed meds. Learn as much as you can about pain control and have a person available to speak for you after surgery, you will be in a dependant position and need someone to be assertive for you. I am a nurse and know that pain control is not always handled as it should be and being informed is your best defense. Also throw any preconceived idea's about getting by with the least amount of pain med as possible. Good pain control will facilitate a speedy recovery. 1. The quicker you get moving the quicker you recover. 2. Your body can heal quicker when not in pain. One other thing, my doctor put me on 50 mg of Vioxx post op daily and my ankles and back never felt so good !! It's a anti-inflammatory that helps with surgical inflamation but is also a arthritic med.
   — Brenda F.

April 10, 2002
Just wanted to comment on pre-op patients that are on high dosages of pain medication (i.e. methadone, oxycontin, percocet, etc.). Make sure that you mention this to your family doctor, the anesteologist (sorry spelt wrong) because it can make a big difference in your tolerance to the morphine. I have been on methadone for pain management for approx. 4 years now and previous to that was addicted to percocet from being on pain medication for so long and I started self-medicating (increasing the dosage until I had built up such a tolerance to the medication nothing worked). Then I found a doctor who put me on methadone. As I had approximately 6-7 months before my surgery date my surgeon suggested that I try to get as low as I could on the methadone (this would be the same for other opiate addictions, i.e. oxycontin, etc.). My family doctor had to type up a letter stating the dosage of methadone I am at and told me that the morphine drip would hold me but if there were any problems while I was in the hospital to get the doctor who will be caring for you in the hospital to contact him immediately. For any of you out there in the same position, please be honest it is so important as all opiates (any pain medication slows down your breathing) and they must be prepared if anything happens while you are on the table or in the hospital. Good luck to all of you and I will definitely let you know how I make out as my date for surgery is on May 21/02. Oh also, for any other methadone patients out there please note that the doctor at the hospital will be administering my daily dosage of methadone (minus the orange juice) while I'm in the hospital. My family doctor told me that if I'm in a lot of pain after the surgery I can alway up my methadone for the pain management so there are options.
   — Susie N.