Question:
What is the pain level like after the surgery once you are released from the hosppita
I am seriously considering surgery. I have my appointment with the WLS doc. Tomorrow. Everyone I tell about it tries to discourage me. Should I not talk about it? also what is the pain like days after the Lap RNY? — Regina_07 (posted on March 4, 2008)
March 4, 2008
I also had people try to talk me out of it, but you have to know what is
the best for you. I can tell you I am glad i did it. Iam 9 months post-op
and I ahve lost 98 pounds. I feel better then I have in 20 years!! I wish
you the best.
— Alvernlaw
March 4, 2008
Thats why they made drugs - pain is not an issue, putting up with the
imbeciles who think they know what is best for you better than you, is the
problem.
Good Luck!!
— 29Diesel
March 4, 2008
If you've tried multiple diets before, failed, and then gained more weight
back, then surgery may be for you. The surgery is only a tool, it still
takes a great deal of effort on your part. Limited or no sugar intake,
getting dumping syndrome (sweats, fast heart beat, feeling faint, throwing
up, diarrhea, etc.), restricted food intake, taking larger doses of
vitamins and calcium citrate for the rest of your life--these and more are
things you have to deal with past the date of surgery. Pain is minimal for
some, but not everybody. Not everbody responds to this surgery in the very
same way. The only thing RNY patients have in common is probable weight
loss--as long as you follow the instructions for the post op period of your
surgeon. If you can't follow guidelines, then the surgery will more than
likely not be a "success" in your mind. It wouldn't be the
failure of the surgery, but the patients failure to do the things necessary
for success. By all means, surgery is not the easiest way out.
— Dave Chambers
March 4, 2008
The only time I took pain meds was in the hospital and maybe once when I
got home so it wasn't bad. I have found that most people that tried to
discourage me changed their minds after a few months of watching me change.
Most people that discourage you are those that have never been there. Your
Dr. should have support meetings that you can go to. They are the most
helpful in this journey. You need advice from doctors and other's who have
been through it, not from those that are not educated about this subject.
Keep going, it will be the best decision of your life. :)
— Claudia C.
March 4, 2008
Everything everyone has said so far is true. Whether you should tell others
is a personal choice. Some folks just don't have enough info. on WLS but
feel free to share their uninformed opinions. I limited who I told and am
still glad I did.
Re pain: absolutely, everyone is different. I consider myself one of the
lucky ones. I had minimal, minimal pain and didn't have to take any pain
medication once I left the hospital. I felt like maybe I pulled a muscle or
two in my abdomen. I don't know why we are all so different (esp. since I
don't consider myself to have a high pain threshold at all), but I suspect
it may have something to do with the surgeon's expertise. As another person
said, if you have pain, that is what the drugs are for. This whole business
of WLS is definitely a journey rather than an event. Good luck to you.
dana
— jujuprof
March 4, 2008
I had the Lap RYN Jan, 29, 2008. The pain the day after surgery was
intense, not from the surgery itself, but from the gas they fill your
stomach with. I am amazed at how friends react when they think you are
foolish for trying to better yourself. I have lost 33lbs to date and I
have reduce my diabetes meds to 1/4 of what i was taking. After i came
home I took a pain pill the 1st night and the 2nd night I took 2 tylenol.
On the day I had my JP drain out I took a pain pill and was glad I did.
Once you start passing gas you'll feel wonder, and thankful you made the
right decision. Be Blessed.
— jaxjennings
March 4, 2008
I had all kinds of people tell me things that would scare you to death. I
am 62 years old and it is harder when you are older, but the hospital and
the surgeon wires you up to pain medication and you push the button once
and you are asleep before the 5 minutes that has to go by before you can
push for pain medication again. Walking is a bit dificult, but they will
want you up the same day. Just do it and you get home faster. They will
give you a liquid paid medication perscription to fill before surgery.
When you get home you can take it. I came home, took the medication and
when to sleep. The next day I got breakfast (Liquids) and took some more
pain medication and went back to sleep until dinner. Same thing again.
The next moring, I got up and went to my desk at home to work. The folling
day, I had my wife drive me to the office. I only took the pain medication
in the evening for about 4 days to help sleep. I would do this all over
again with out a doubt. In 3 month I lost 70 pounds. There is nothing
that every worked for me in diets other to loose 30 lbs and gain 40 lbs. I
know you have been there. By the way the people that tell me I look so
good now are the ones that told me I was to fat and I would die during
surgery. They are not your real freinds. Real freinds are the ones that
took me to the hospial or came to see me after surgery at the hospital or
home or gave me a call. Funny the ones that tell you not to do it never
call to see that you survived. Go for it, and you will never regret it.
Just attend the Doctors seminar and ask your doctor every question you have
so you are fully informed and have confidence in your decision. Best of
sucess to you.
— William (Bill) wmil
March 4, 2008
1. pain after surgery - in the hospital - you have it, but it's controlled
by drugs. by the time you get home - you have the prescription, but I
really didn't need it.
2. don't listen to people. only U can make the decision - their opinions
are like buttholes - everyone has one! personally, I told EVERYONE and had
GREAT support, but my family and friends are VERY supportive and I know I
have it good - because I have heard horror stories. my best advise - tell
who you trust and love and that loves you unconditionally to get the
support you need...and don't listen to the nay-sayers. you have to do what
you have to do for you and you alone. if you decide to have the surgery -
good luck and may you be as successful as you hope for.
— jammerz
March 4, 2008
WHO ARE YOU DOING THIS FOR YOU OR YOUR FRIENDS???RESHEARCH AND MAKE SURE
YOU WANT THIS,I'M 7 MO OUT AND WOULD DO IT AGAIN.THEY GIVE YOU DRUGS TO GET
THROUGH THE PAIN.I WAS BACK TO WORK IN 2 WEEKS.GOOD LUCK AND KEEP IN TOUCH
THE OH FAMILY IS THE BEST!!!
LEHIGH
— lehigh
March 4, 2008
Hi....sure, I had pain when I released from the hospital although I didn't
take any pain medication once I was released. I was miserable for a day or
two...I thought primarily due to the anesthsia. I flew on an airplane 5
days after surgery and didn't feel great. I was mildly uncomfortable for
about 10 days after surgery..couldn't sleep on my stomach, couldn't pick up
my nieces and nephews....Two weeks after surgery I was back at work, no
longer sore, a bit tired....a month after surgery I had lost 30 pounds and
I have felt great ever since...I have not been sick, my back hasn't hurt
and my feet haven't ached. This surgery was the best thing I have ever done
for myself. So, yes, it's scary and everyone that has an opinion does it
out of fear and love for you.....I sent my mom a picture yesterday and she
said, "Don't you lose another ounce!" I broke down in tears....no
one has ever said those words to me. So, even 14 months out I am still
having those Aha moments! Good luck!
Kristi
— Kristi S.
March 4, 2008
I learned to not talk about it much until I had all the facts. Once I did,
no one could really discourage me because I had the stats and knew it was
what was right for me. You'll feel more empowered once you get all the
information, I'm sure! Also, pain after Lap RNY for me was very minimal.
My only discomfort was in the hospital with the bed, getting in and out was
a bit of a struggle, but not much, and once home I was off the pain meds
within two days. It's just not that bad. Honestly, I know, as I've had a
C-section and I've had a kidney stone. This surgery was a walk in the
park! Hugs and best wishes....Cheryl
— Cheryl K.
March 4, 2008
I had Lap RNY 4 1/2 years ago and there really wasn't any pain. I would
call it more of a discomfort. One of the best things I have ever done for
myself.
— Carlyn M.
March 4, 2008
The only pain I had was a little bit about 1 week post op in between my
shoulder blades that drove me nuts. It didn't hurt bad, it was just
annoying. Nothing helps that, although not everyone get's it. How I
escaped the pain everyone else did? About 5 hours after surgery, I was up
walking every single time I felt pain as it was the anesthesia gas pain and
walking got rid of it within seconds of getting up and walking every time.
Surgeon and all the nurses on the floor said I was the only one on the
entire floor of RNY patients that walked and they were all impressed with
how often I did just that. Come 6 a.m. the next day I refused my pain shot
as I didn't need it at all. The nurse about fell over! LOL. So just keep
that in mind and you won't have any pain after. Good luck and God bless!
— crystalsno
March 4, 2008
I HAD RNY LAP ON JAN 23RD, 2008. WHEN I GOT HOME IT HURT TO BEND, AND TURN
OVER IN BED BUT I ONLY TOOK LIQUID TYLENOL AND MOTRIN. YOU ARE SORE FOR
ABOUT 2 WEEKS BUT IT IS NOT BAD IF YOU TAKE IT EASY. I HAVE LOST 30# AND I
AM GLAD I DIDN'T LET OTHERS TALK ME OUT OF IT. I WANTED THIS TOOL TO HELP
ME HAVE A HEALTHIER LIFE. OTHERS CANNOT MAKE THIS DECISION FOR YOU. GOOD
LUCK! MARSHA
— tigerlil58
March 4, 2008
I had the same problem before surgery. I had the ones that were negative
about me having surgery. I finally decided it's not for them. This was
for me. I did this because of health issues I had already, and health
issues that were inline to destroy my life. You have to think about this
for you. I wish you the best of luck.
— Cari_C
March 4, 2008
I'm sure you've got some similar responses to your question. It took me
two years to decided to have lapband surgery and now I wish I hadn't waited
so long. However, I did have to follow a very strict pre-surgery diet to
help shrink the liver to make the surgery safter. The only way I was able
to muster the willpower to do that was that I kept telling myself, if I
don't, they will post-pone the surgery. I lost 21 lbs the month before
surgery and now a month out I have lost 43 lbs. I feel so much better. My
mother-in-law is three years out from LAP RNY and she went from a size 26
to a size 8. You are the only person who can decide whether this is for
you, but I would ask "how much pain are you in now? mentally and
physically. I had 13 days of shoulder pain because the swelling from the
Lapband surgery sometimes presses on the same nerve as the one that gives
shoulder pain when you are having a heart attack. I took pain medication
to help and now I have left abdominal pain when my stomach is empty which
is still an issue that I hope will go away over time after my stomach
becomes used to the band. But regardless, I would do it all over again
because my asthma is almost non existent, I am not obsessing over food, my
reflux is gone, my foot pain is getting less, my singing voice has improved
and I feel better overall. I wish I had done it two years ago. Takin it a
day at a time! Best wishes.
— Bigwyfan1964
March 4, 2008
Don't listen to other people. Unless they've been through it, or been
obese themselves, they don't know what you're going through. I went to
work after taking just one week off after my surgery. I was moving slower,
but I was moving and getting out. After surgery, get yourself up and walk.
I started out just walking to the end of the block, then to the next
block, and so on. It's the best thing I've ever done for myself. Kept 163
pounds off for 2 1/2 years. Good luck with your journey! And forget what
the negative people are trying to tell you!!
— butterfly77ckc
March 4, 2008
Hi Regina!
I had my Lap RNY on 1-14-08 and am down 40 lbs. I had surgery Monday, came
on Wednesday. I took pain medicine Wednesday night and Thursday night
(more for the sleep factor than the pain factor) and that was it. I wasnt
in alot of pain. Just moved slowly, a little uncomfy when I moved, and I
couldnt stand up for really long periods of time because I got sore, but
noting that resting couldnt cure. I still have an almost full bottle of
liquid vicodin here LOL
I chose to tell only a few people before surgery. Mostly because of the
negativity. I didnt feel up to fighting that battle. What I knew was that I
AM smart and I did a ton of research. I knew what was right for me,
regardless of what other people felt about the decision. Now at 7 weeks out
I have no problem telling people what I did and why. Its harder for them to
be negative when I am standing there 40 lbs thinner in 7 weeks and I look
healthier and I feel healthier and they can tell.
Good luck to you!!!
— BrookLayne
March 5, 2008
Hi - I had gastric bypass. I am 16 mos out and have lost 115 lbs. I have
only one regret...that I didn't do this sooner. I am 53 yrs old and lived
mostly all of my life overweight. The last 10 - 15 yrs in constant pain.
I'm talking 24/7. It would wake me up at night back pain that traveled to
my leg like a throbbing toothach. I also had people tell me they knew of
this one and that one that had complications BUT hardly ever heard of all
the success stories. For me, it was either do this or not make it out of
my 60's. (which isn't that far away) My blood pressure, fybromyalgia, and
arthritas are all under controll. No more pain...(do have flare ups on
occasion from the arthritas)...As far as the pain afterwards I was very
soar for about two weeks. After that wasn't bad at all. I did have pain
meds which I used probably for the first few days. I told everyone about
my surgery. I did my homework and looked at both lap band and gastric.
The bypass I felt was a better choice for me because of the restrictions.
(which I need) Don't let anyone give you doubts. You are doing this to
make yourself feel better and to live a longer and healthier life. One
person here said it best. These people who poo poo this really don't know
what it involves or the benifits it gives.
Best of Luck - - Niecie
— niecie54
March 5, 2008
For me, even with drugs, recovery was unbearable to the point that I was
cursing myself for having the surgery; however now at 11 weeks out and 83
lbs lost, I am glad I did it. It is diffrent for each person.
— [Deactivated Member]
March 5, 2008
I am one week post op. I feel better now than before I had surgery. You
can read my blog and share my journey if you like. My feelings are that if
you are asking and looking at this sight then you are seriously looking for
help. I wanted to have the surgery done when I weighed 330 lbs. and had
insurance. I was foolish and didn't. All I did was gain more weight and
was miserable for longer. I am so happy I finally made this decision. As
for the pain, I only took pain medicine one day after coming home from the
hospital. I feel great and was able to get up and walk the first day of
surgery. I am 450lbs and spend most of my time in bed. So as you can see,
if I can do it, So Can You! Search your soul and make your own decision.
Take charge of your life and make a change whether you have surgery or not.
Life is to short to waste time being fat and unhappy!
Jeri
— JeriBrown
March 5, 2008
I had all kinds of people try to talk me out of it and one of them was my
sister who is a nurse.. :( that was such a sad day.. But now that I went
through the surgery there hasn't been one negative thing said to me.. My
sister who was such against it has seen how mush this has improved my life
and she says she will never ever talk down the surgery again.. :)
As far as pain after the surgery, for me it was less than my 2 c-sections..
:) the second day in hospital I took myself off of the pain meds
completely, I was sent home with a perscription of davasets (sp?) and only
had to take one at bed time for two nights.. My left side right under the
incission was the worst of the pain and thats only because that was muscle
they had to cut through to get the stapler (sp?) in and that could last up
to six months, it was nothing to severe it just ached and not like a tooth
ache either.. LESS than that... I guess bothersome would be more of a word
I would use for it.. :)
I hope this helps and if you have any more questions Im here for you..
God bless you and your new journey.
Paula
— japaad
March 7, 2008
I had RNY bypass surgery on a Thursday, out from the hospital on the next
day, Friday and played 18 holes on golf on Sunday! Very little pain. Did
sleep most of day on Friday and Saturday. Have lost 90 lbs in 10 months
and still losing but at a much slower rate (1-2 Lbs per month now.) Go for
it!
— blossman
March 18, 2008
I had severe pain even after i went home but after 4 weeks i do not have
any pain, just some tenderness. I think the pain is worth it because it
won't last forever.
— longislandamy
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