Question:
I'm having terrible pain on my left side
The pain is in the area that I think is the actual stomach, it also hurts in my back. The skin on the left side of my stomach seems to be tender also, but the pain inside is getting to be very very painful. I am 9 days post op — Tracy C. (posted on April 20, 2001)
April 20, 2001
That does'nt sound very good I'm still pre-op but I have had alot of other
surgerys you need to contact your surgeon right away at least to get this
checked out.Good luck and I will be thinking about you
— Julie V.
April 20, 2001
I also had a lot of pain in that area immediately post op. I quit taking
all pain meds after less than one week though. My pain was tolerable; but
everyones' tolerances vary. Contact your surgeon. If it's nothing, he
will ease your worries. Good luck to you.
— Jeannet
April 20, 2001
I had the pain on the left side too. I had a lap RNY, not open. My
surgeon said he'd be concerned if the pain was on the right side. However,
he did do tests, ultrasound, full x-rays, blood, urine, and nothing showed
up. I think in my case it was a strain. That's the only thing I can think
of. I got it after one month, and I'd lifted my 45-lb. grandson, then
after 2 1/2 months, and I'd moved my bed around. That's the only
connection I could find. Although, I have exercised and gone to the gym
without any problems, and the moving stuff shouldn't have bothered me, I've
lifted heavier stuff before. So, I'm still not sure, but it stopped each
time after about a week and a half. I would just keep a heating pad on it
and it would stop, and it stopped when I slept but as I got up and moved
around it would come back. It was an intense "throbbing" pain,
to where I couldn't even work without bringing my heating pad and keeping
it on. I hope you find something out, and if you do please email me if you
can: [email protected] Take care, hope you're better soon!
— Tina C.
April 21, 2001
I also had pain similar to this. When I called my surgeon, they said that
it was normal and a heating pad sometimes helps. Apparently as scar tissue
forms and "stretches", it can be painful. I was better after
about a week and the heating pad did help alot. I am 5 months post now and
have had no recurring pain.
— Gina D.
April 12, 2002
I am almost 4 weeks post op(Lap RNY) and I began to experience a dull but
constant pain on my left side. It seems to be near the main incision and
around my ribs. My surgeon said that this was normal as everything heals.
It might last as long as 6 weeks.
He suggested that I take Tylenol and use moist heat. Since I am back at
work now it is impractical for me to bring a heating pad to the office. I
just discovered a new product that is amazing and VERY helpful. These are
heating strips that you wear called Thermacare. I have been wearing the
ones designed for menstrual pain/cramps. They are activated when the pouch
is opened and exposed to air. There is adhesive to stick them to the inside
of your underwear. The heating tablets are inside a padding and warm up in
about 20 minutes. The strips last for 8 hours. This has made my desk job a
lot easier to handle. If you cannot find them in your local drug store you
can order them at www.drugstore.com.
Good luck to you!
— Sarah M.
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