Question:
Why does yawning hurt so much?

I am a week post op, and I don't mean this question to sound as dumb as it does...but I have noticed that when I yawn, my stomach hurts on the inside. I know it is probably muscles, but sometimes from "information overload" so to speak (reading too much, putting ideas in your head LOL) I get scared that I might be hurting my new stomach or the staple line. I would appreciate any thoughts...be nice now, I said this was kind of a stupid question LOL. Thanks!    — [Anonymous] (posted on January 30, 2002)

January 30, 2002
Yamning expands your chest cavity both the muscles and the walls of your lungs. Remember how much it hurt to deep breathe after the surgery? It's the same thing, as that's what yawning is, deep breathing. Also your muscles were moved all over the place during surgery, so they are readjusting so stretching them will hurt. It took me about three weeks to be able to yawn or cough without pain! That's what I think! Hope it helps!
   — Deborah W.

January 30, 2002
I had this same problem also. It subsided at about one and a half weeks post op. I'm now one month post op and am pain free, in fact, if it wasn't for my lovely scar, I wouldn't even think that I had surgery. Another funny thing that occured after surgery is whenever I took a deep breath I found that I developed a second breath. Anyways, they both subsided and I'm sure yours will, too.
   — Shanicqua B.