Question:
PAIN HOW BAD WILL IT BE WHEN I WAKE UP IN RECOVERY?
PAIN... HOW BAD WILL IT BE......when I wake up in recovery??? I am trying to prepare myself... surgery day after tomorrow (YIKES!) and I am trying to get myself ready mentally. Frankly I am still terrified but not about to back out! Would just like to hear from some post ops, how bad was your pain when you came to in recovery? I am having open RNY... Thanks!! — Pam B. (posted on October 14, 2003)
October 13, 2003
I did hurt a lot when I first woke in recovery but as soon as I was awake
they gave me some pain meds to help. Didn't make the pain go away but did
dull it. Then when I got to my room they hooked me up to the PCA machine
with morphine. It worked but I didn't use it as much as I could have
because it would knock me out for a couple of hours every time. You will
do fine. Plan on hurting and using your medications to ease the pain and
then if it's better you'll be happy. Some people don't have much for pain.
For me it felt like I had done 1000 ab crunches - very sore muscles. But
each day got better and in a short time it was behind me and oh so worth it
every time I got shopping and fit into a smaller size. The best part of
your life is truly upon you! Enjoy the journey!
— zoedogcbr
October 13, 2003
I just had open rny on 10-3 and when I woke up in recovery all I said was
"HURTS" and they gave me the button to the pca pump and I went
right back to sleep.Good luck!
— loisph
October 13, 2003
Most all of us experiance pain differantly, I had open RNY in april, and
when I was awakend in the OR the anathesologist, asked me if I was in any
pain and I said NO. He asked if I had any neausea, and I didnt then, but I
said yes, and they gave me something, in past surgeries I got really
neasuated(sp) so I covered my bases. I did have 49 staples, (most have
much smaller incesions). I was given a morphine pump, and I didnt need any
of it, I was terrably HOT, and thirsty, but no pain that I couldnt handle.
They removed my morphine pump since I didnt use it at all. The only pain I
did have was when I was trying to get layed back down and getting seated
up. Your surgeon will make sure your comfortable, if not let them know.
Remember the more you are up and walking and moving the faster you will
feel better and heal :0) Good luck to you on your journey, I would do it
again in a heartbeat!
— wizz46
October 13, 2003
When I woke up in recovery, I didn't really feel much pain, because I was
on the morphine pump. I started feeling lots of pain after they took me
off! But by 3 weeks post op I was fine, just a little uncomfortable. I
had a great attitude going in, that this was exactly what I wanted to do
and everything was going to be fine, and up until they took out the
morphine, I still felt that way! You have to remember, this is MAJOR
SURGERY, so there is going to be pain, but just know that the pain can be
controlled. Don't be afraid to ask for pain meds in the hospital if you
need them... don't be a hero! Good luck!!!
— ttilles
October 13, 2003
Hi there: I had a LAP RNY on 4/11/03. The minute my eyes opened in the
recovery room, four nurses were surrounding me, asking if I was in pain,
and I was given medication immediately for both nausea and pain. After
that, I asked for a pain shot every four hours (as prescribed), and when I
left the hospital 48 hours later, I was taking nothing stronger than liquid
tylenol. (Never even filled the Rx for liquid vicadin!) I took the
tylenol for the next few days (until the drain was removed), and it worked
just fine at easing the discomfort. Now, six months later (and 80 lbs.
lighter!), I can hardly even remember what all that felt like!
Congratulations on this life-affirming decisions! You'll be fine, and
you'll have all our prayers! Best of luck! Dawn :)
— momstah
October 14, 2003
I had lap RNY and when I woke up in recovery I had to feel around to see if
they actually did surgery! I thought maybe something happened and they
didn't do it because I had no pain. I used the morphine pump very little.
In fact, the next day they took the morphine PCA away and gave me Toradol
IV push, so I had no pain and no grogginess. I never had a lot of pain. I
did the same thing - tried to get myself prepared for the pain and I was
pleasantly surprised at how little I had! Best of luck!
— koogy
October 14, 2003
I won't lie - when I came to in recovery it hurt. But as soon as I moaned
and said something, the nurse was there with the PCA button and showed me
how to push it. The pain subsided rapidly. Overall, I didn't find the
pain that bad. I hurt my arthritic knee the second day after surgery and
took more pain meds for it than for my open RNY. I took NO pain medicine
after leaving the hospital. Talk with your surgeon about your concerns -
the pain control methods are quite good. I am recovering from a total knee
replacement now and I am still amazed at how well they controlled that pain
which was 100 times worse than the RNY.
— Patty_Butler
October 14, 2003
I don't remember hurting at all in the hospital (except when they had me
get up on a gurney to go for my leak test--that stretching movement hurt,
but subsided fairly quickly). I was not on a morphine pump; they just gave
me meds in my IV. I went home on some pain pills, but took them for only a
couple of days. I remember it being more of a discomfort than a pain. Lap
RNY 4/1/03 290/198/168
— Vespa R.
October 14, 2003
When I awoke the first thing I noticed was that the tube was still in my
throat, and I remember a nurse telling me to take a deep breath and it
coming out without any pain. I went back to sleep, when I awoke again the
asked if I had pain and yes I did so they gave me something to help. I did
not yell out in pain or anything just sore. I cannot remember it now....I
was in recovery for a while I am told because of pain... don't
remember...neither will you.. :) I remember telling the nurse I was
nauseous (sp) and they gave me something for that too...you will be ok...
— Kriola
October 14, 2003
I'am 12 days post op so I remember real good I had LAP/ RNY and the most
pain I was in was in my upper back and sholder on the left side and they
kept telling me it is becsue the gas they put in to blow you up has to go
some where and that is where it goes so that was the worst pain then having
the drain I had removed felt like all my insides were being pulled out. I
had a pump for the 2 days I was in then I came home on crushed pain pills
and only took them for a few days becuase they can make you constipated and
I didn't want that, so just went to tylenol. I hope this helps a little I
know your having an open but maybe a little insite on the pain. good luck
for a speedy recovery.
— DENISE Y.
October 14, 2003
This is what happened to me so I cant speak for anyone else but I didnt
hurt at all. I even turned down pain meds twice and only took it cause I
got tired of them asking me if I wanted it. If you are really worring about
this, talk to your surgeon now so they can be ready to help you out ASAP
after you wake up. Good luck ~Sidney~ Open RNY 10-23-02 down 120+ and
counting
— Siddy I.
October 14, 2003
I had no pain till i moved. My daughter had bad gas pain recoery.
— charanewme
October 14, 2003
I had open RNY 8 days ago and I was not in pain just nauseated. I really
can say the only time I felt really bad pain was when I was vomiting which
I do with anesthia. I got up the minute I returned from recovery to use the
bathroom and walked every hour or so. I can tell you I was sore but nothing
excruciating but remember EVERYONE HANDLES PAIN DIFFERANTLY. I took
something for pain only once while in the hosp. It's like having a baby you
seem to forget the pain afterwards. I think my csections were worse. Good
luck
— Beth B.
October 14, 2003
Remember the goal is to manage pain through out recovery. While in the
hospital, depending on which drug you are given, you can give yourself
additional doses of the pain medication. This is your friend. It's more
imporant to be comfortable in the hospital than to lie in agony just
because you want to be a hero and get off pain meds quickly.
I had an open rny on 10/6. Other than bending or coughing, I really didn't
experience any pain. When I did experience pain, it wasn't that bad.
A week later, I'm completely off pain meds.
— rleffler
October 14, 2003
When I came into recovery I felt nothing. I know that's hard to believe
but I didn't feel any pain until they took me upstairs and I had to change
beds and even that wasn't that bad. I was on morphine and I still can't
remember what some of my guest and I talked about. The I felt the most
pain was when I would get out of and on to the bed. once I got home I only
took my pain pills for like 3 or 4 days. Good Luck!!!
— Morna B.
October 14, 2003
1st of all, all my best on your journey. I had an open RNY 14 mos. ago and
I remember the nurse telling me my family was there I heard my mother, saw
my dad and boyfriend and told the nurse I felt sick and it hurt. She said
"I'll take care of that..." That is the last thing I remember.
Pain was tolerable, but I have a high tolerance to pain. I only use the
meds occasionally. You'll do fine. Soon it will be a faint memory! God
Bless and best wishes.
— Lora T.
October 14, 2003
I dont remember a whole lot about the recovery room.. however the first
thing I remember is hearing someone tell me they gave me something for pain
and nausea. ... the first thought I can remember thinking is, "What
pain? What nausea?". I dont remember being in pain at all till I got
up to my room and went from the bed to the potty. Heck, even my walk to
the nurses station was only short because the drugs they gave me, made me
feel unsteady on my feet :)
— TaraLong
October 15, 2003
No pain! Just a nice sleepy sense of it being over, of being kindly
treated, of being a bit thirsty. The first day passes in a dream, have no
fear, dear. It's so worth it!!! Open RNY 10/25/03 226 at surgery
— Deborah M.
October 15, 2003
Congrats and your concerns are normal. I was surprisingly calm pre-surgery
knowing that it was this or die. Truthfully, my pain was under control as
long as I didn't move and when I did, I pushed the PC. I had it taped to my
arm. I was in such a la-la land I was halucinating from the morphine. And
every day you feel better and better. I do remember thinking on the first
day, "What the hell did I do to myself?" But it all passed. You
will be fine and Good Luck.
— Sandra Y.
October 15, 2003
Good luck and God bless on your upcoming surgery! Prior to wls, I had
never been in the hospital, nor had surgery of any kind. I cried when my
parents left me to go tot he waiting room, etc. They took very good care
of me. When I did wake up in recovery, I was SO VERY TIRED, I could hardly
keep my eyes open. I didn't feel much pain but out of 10 (being the worst)
and 1 (feeling fine) I was a 5-6. You are so groggy, that you, just as I,
can barely remember it now. Over the 1.5 hours I was in recovery, I slept
90% of the time and only woke up or opened my eyes when they were giving me
meds or told me to open them!
I had lap. rny on Aug. 1, of this year, and am down about 54 lbs. Looking
back, no matter how hard it was or seemed at the time, it was totally worth
it! I guess I was lucky as far as pain goes.
From what others have told me, including my doc, the first 24-40 hours is
the hardest after surgery. Then, for the recovery process, the first four
weeks are going to be the most difficult and when most problems will occur,
if any. No major prblms here. There were a couple of days in week 3 where
I felt rather week, but that was normal.
Good luck to you--you won't regret it!
— Kristin K.
October 15, 2003
DON'T WORRY!!! WHen I woke up (I had the lap RNY), I hardly felt pain at
all. It was mostly a soreness. But they have you hopped up on meds, so I
promise, you won't even care. You'll just want to sleep, mostly. You may
feel a little sick to your stomach because of anethesia, but it's not bad.
You'll just feel sore in the abdomen, very very tired and groggy, maybe
queasy. Don't get me wrong, you'll feel like crap. But when you open your
eyes and realize that it's over, no matter how bad you feel, you'll be
happy!!!
— Melissa C.
October 15, 2003
When I woke up from my LAP RNY, it crossed my mind "Did they really do
anything...." because I wasn't in that much pain. I had my major
discomfort that night when things started to wear off. Make sure they
give you an extra pillow to press against your abdomin and make sure you're
comfortable before you try to go to sleep.
— Cathy S.
October 15, 2003
I had a open RNY in July. I woke up in recovery and did have pain. I do not
take them long to get me pain meds then I was back out again. When I woke
up in my room I do not remember any pain. They got me up and had me walk
some. Do not try and be tough. The pain meds are ordered for a reason. If
you wait until you are in pain you waited to long to ask for a shot. The
good results of the surgery outweigh the memories of any pain!!
— Phil F.
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