Question:
Anyone who is post op have body pains more often at night?

I am about 2 months post op and have lost almost 40 pounds. I have noticed that lately when I wake up in the mornings I have PAIN in my hips, legs, thighs, and other joints. It usually goes away after I get up and move around a bit. I was just wondering if this is something someone else has experienced post op that they didn't have pre-op!    — Susan B. (posted on January 6, 2002)

January 6, 2002
Susan, Yes, I have noticed pain in my legs at night too. It wakes me up most early mornings with a burning in my calves especially. I have increased my potassium intake and it does seem to help. I am not taking potassium supplements but I am drinking more water with potassium added. The Dansay (spelling?) water that is made by Coca Cola in the blue bottle has added potassium and it helps. I eat bananas too. A banana is a perfect meal! When I had my bloodwork done last time my potassium was not on the low side but was very close to the low side. Have you had your potassium checked? Some people have noticed pain in the hips and have commented it is from the position they were in on the operating table. Could it be that? When I see my surgeon next visit, I will tell him about this problem too. Maybe he knows why. Do you ever experience foot/leg cramping? You know the "drawing" that occurs sometimes? I have had that once or twice and I usually stand up and walk around a bit and it helps. Good luck to you. I am 10 wks post op from a revision to a transected pouch.
   — Marilyn C.

January 6, 2002
I had those joint pains also early post op. I think it is pretty common because the padding is going away. My feet used to hurt and if I sat too long my butt would get real sore ! I had to sit on a pillow for a while because my natural pillow was gone!! My hips would ache when I laid on my side at night and I would roll back and forth , had to sleep with a pillow between my legs so my knees wouldn't touch. Your body will adjust and you will return to normal. That night cramping that the previous poster mentioned . used to happen to me also. I also increased my water intake and my potassium . It stopped. All of this shall pass as your bodies adjust. If the cramping dosen't get those levels checked , that is nothing to full around with.
   — Rose A.

January 6, 2002
I am so glad to see someone else has the same problem(s) that I am having. I have lost 87 lbs and within the last 3 months when I lie down, my hips, back, buttocks, legs and thighs hurt. Like you, once I get up the pain goes away. I am praying that it is the excess skin that is causing the problem, and if it is hopefully the insurance with pay for the plastic surgery. I thank God that you put this question out there. I have an appointment with my orthapedic doctor on the 14th. I will let you know how that goes. Again, thank you for your question.
   — LaVerne C.

January 6, 2002
It's me, Susan--the one who posted this question. This only occurs with me when I am asleep! I don't have leg cramps, feet cramps or cramps in my calfs...it's more like having pain in my bones! If that makes sense at all! Mostly, I feel it in my hips, and abdominal area...but after I get up and move around, it is okay! Crazy, but I wonder if it isn't just letting our body settle in after we lose fat. I mean, it makes sense that your skeltal structure would change as you lose weight, or does it?
   — Susan B.

January 6, 2002
I found that going to the chiropractor about twice a month since my surgery has helped me IMMENSELY. As my chiro explained to me, it totally makes sense that as the weight flies off your body, your muscles and skeleton have to adjust to compensate, and that can induce both muscle and bone soreness. Getting adjusted helps get the bones back in whack so that the muscles are adjusting to a HEALTHY shape, instead of some shape that you twist into to try to avoid pain. It's natural for us to move to avoid pain especially as we sleep, so it makes sense that you're sore in the morning. Get your PCP to refer you to a chiropractor and it probably won't even cost you a dime, but I would pay out-of-pocket for it if I had to because it makes me feel so much better.
   — Julia M.