Question:
Is it normal to have pain when turning to either side 1 week after rny-lap

I have fibromyalgia and have had much pain in the week since my RNY-Lap. i have had many surgeries and tolerate pain well but i can't bend down or turn over in bed without stoppable pain level. i am not on pain meds. i just wondered if this is normal for this stage of post op. Marsha    — tigerlil58 (posted on January 31, 2008)


January 30, 2008
you might be low on your vitamins. Take them on a regular basics this should help with some of the pain. I also take medcine call lyrica it helps with the pain in my legs.
   — bigman567

January 30, 2008
It was about 2 weeks before I could sleep totally laying down. I slept mostly on my back and it took awhile to sleep on my side. Stiffness and pain was minimal, however you have extenuating circumstances. A friend had sickle cell accompanied by fibromyalgia so I have some idea what you are going through. Take care.
   — the7thdean

January 30, 2008
Not for me! Maybe your surgery is magnifying your fibromyalgia or vice versa. In any event, I think you should make your doctor aware. Since my surgery I have never had pain that was unstoppable or unbearable.
   — jujuprof

January 31, 2008
Hi Marsha, I slept in a recliner chair for about 3-4 days after surgery because it was so painful to lay down all the way. When I did finally decide to go to bed, the first night was awful. First, because I had to lay on my back and I do not like laying on my back - I'm a stomach sleeper. It hurt so bad to barely move that much but I forced myself to stay in bed. Second, because I was so afraid that my husband would move suddenly and slap me in the belly! I never realized how much he moves around at night until that first night in bed! It did get better each night and after about a week or so, I was able to roll over part way on my right side but it still hurt on the left. It was a good 2-3 weeks before I was comfortable rolling on both sides with no pain. It took about 4-6 weeks before I felt okay laying on my stomach. I am sure this is all normal and everyone's pain level is different. Good luck!
   — itzmetami

January 31, 2008
I had major discomfort while turning side to side and unable to sleep unless flat on my back. It wll get better. After almost 4 weeks I am sleeping however I choose. I sometimes still get a twinge of discomfort if I turn too fast. It will get better. Also your fibromyalgia could be enhancing yoru symptoms. If it persist contact your doctor. Good Luck!!
   — mary_rn

January 31, 2008
YES!!YES!!!YES!!! i was soo sore at first. i have never been able to sleep on my back and after surgery it was a rude awakening, because i had to. trying to roll onto my side hurt so bad, it was like a major burning/stretching pain, but it will get better. after the first week each day got better. good luck and i hope this helps...Holly
   — RNlvnCARSON

January 31, 2008
I don't know about RNY, but when I had lap band, the pain for me was very intense. I couldn't even sleep in my bed for almost a week. I slept on my recliner couch. I too was diagnosed with fibro at one time. I have since discovered that losing weight has caused me to not have those symptoms any longer. I feel so much better now! I hope you experience the same results. Good luck.
   — Debra R.

January 31, 2008
For 2 weeks I slept with 6 pillows propping me up because I couldn't lay flat. I'd sleep about 6 hours. I took my pain meds at night to relax and get to sleep. It took another 2 weeks before I could sleep on my stomach. It took at least 4 weeks until I could bend down a lot and not hurt by the end of the day. It does get better. Joan
   — nanaontheloose

January 31, 2008
Marsha - You should limit bending for the first few weeks (my doc suggests the first 6 weeks) while your incisions heal. Squat versus bend if you need to pick something up. And yes, you will have pain when turning if it pulls on an incision or scar tissue. Do not try to alleviate pain by sitting in a reclined position unless your surgeon gives you the OK. You don't want to have blood pooling in your mid-section.
   — gonnadoit

February 1, 2008
Been there, done that! Try sleeping in a recliner if possible. Add a sheet to sit on as well as stuff to cover up seems to help making sleeping in it seem more like a bed. I spent 3 weeks in mine after my tummy tuck so I can feel for you. Best of luck and a speedy recovery.-Heather
   — tazthewiz23

February 1, 2008
Been there done that also. I had to sleep in a big comfy chair in an ottoman until about a month, month and a half post op. It does get better as the anesthesia moves out of your body. You shouldn't be trying to bend down at all at just 1 week post op. Try walking as much as you can, and that will help move the anesthesia out of your body faster. This can take up to a month to fully leave your body. Hang in there! Good luck, God bless and welcome to the losing side!
   — crystalsno

February 2, 2008
Hi there, I am just 4 days out and I too was having pain on my side. I am a stomach sleeper so I twist and then hug a pillow so I am kind of half on my stomach. My right shoulder is on the bed and my left leg is hiked up and that seems to work. My doctor said it would be about 10 days. Good Luck!
   — julia3434




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