Home for a few days now. Anyone else have intense back pain?

Hi all! Well, it has now been 8 days since my surgery. I went in for laproscopy and ended up with 'open'. The last humiliation of being obese, I guess. Over the last few years weight had migrated to my stomach, instead of hips and upper arms as it always had. The 11 pounds I lost prior didnt really help. I came home Saturday and was in some discomfort from the ride home (we live down a long farm lane and the winter rains have wreaked havoc with the shale on the lane---OUCH!) My husband bought me a new leather recliner and I have slept in it (our bedroom is upstairs) since coming home. Tonite I am going to try sleeping upstairs for the first time. I still cannot bend to the floor--only to about my calves (i was always limber and even at 414 pounds could touch the floor with my hands and straight knees). The nurses assured me that I would get better every day. They were so incredibly right. The first two days were a blurr. The anesthesia, although I had no real problems (like vomiting), stayed in my system that long. I was so out of it that I didnt know who visited or anything until Wednesday. The difference then was dramtic as I was sitting up, receiving company and walking the halls. The nursing staff on the 14th floor of Altoona Hospital could not have been more kind, gentle, honest or helpful. Very professional, too. Dr. Newlin visited me at least once each day (and sometimes twice) as did his PA (i really wish I could remember his name as he was also great). Has anyone suffered from intense back pain after the surgery?? Any suggestions for relief?? Even with the pain medication (which i am rationing as i want to have it for a while) walking is so very painful. The incisions are healing nicely and only bother if I hit them accidentally (like on a counter or something). Glad to know others with my date (and indeed ALL of us!) are doing so well. Sincerely, kim

Kim, I am amazed at our similarities! I also had surgery on the 10th and I too lost 11 lbs before surgery. I had the Lap, fortunately didn't have to be open. I have a leather recliner my mother gave me and we brought home a couple weeks before surgery. I camp out in it during the day, but have been fortunate to sleep in bed at night (propped up on three pillows with one under my legs and one on each side). Even in the last two days am able to get myself out of the bed without DH assistance. (roll on my side and push up on an elbow) I still can't sleep on my sides yet which drives me crazy.... but it all brings me to, YES! I have awful back pain! I think from having to lie on my back in bed and not able to roll over, and also from using my back muscles more instead of abdominal muscles when moving - guarding my abdomen. I still get pain twinges in my belly, but my back tends to hurt more. I take the pain medicine when it gets really bad, but other times I use a heat wrap on my back and take long hot showers with the ho****er pounding my back... make it feel better. I have noticed when I am not so tired, I move more, and it seems to hurt less. A new development today was crying - all day. Didn't expect the hormones to kick in just yet. Oh well, I had a good day yesterday, so I guess it is just a bad day today - exhausted and weepy. I will get to bed tonight and pray for a good one again tomorrow. Keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. I want to hear more from folks who had surgery near my date. Sandy L

Thanks for the suggestions, Sandy. I am glad to know that I am not the only one...and you know, it is true....the more I move, the less the back pain for a while (hhmmm, maybe God's little hint that I need to move more?) I am going to try the heating pad idea...dont know why I didnt think of that myself! Any suggestions on how to get the stick-um from the bandages off?? thanks for responding....feel free to keep in touch at my e-mail address. kim

I had my surgery on 12/27. I had pretty bad complications and was in the hopptal for two weeks. During that time I had my husband bring me a heating pad from home and it was heavenly. You just get stiff after surgery and the gas makes it too painful to move around too much, One I got home I slept in a recliner for a few days, then attemptrd the bed,,,but,,,with three pillows propped up on. at that angle i could dlept on either side or my back...still not my stomach . But it was heavenly that first all night sleep! It makes you feel better the whole next day. Take it esy and email me if yu want to talk. kim C

Kim, I too had surgery on the 10th and mine was the lap procedure. I had terrible pain in my back at first from all the gas that was pumped into my belly for surgery, I started walking the halls that night and it started to move but my back still hurt. I came home on the 12th and have been sleeping on the couch ever since, I can't get out of the bed very well on my own and my hubby works nights so I can't wake him to help me. I did try to sleep on my side and that has helped some, but I am still taking the pain meds if it gets to bad to handle. Just know that you are not alone!! I feel for you and everyone else that has to go through the intense pains but hey it will all be worth it and we will eventually forget it ever did hurt, besides I am down 12 pounds now so I am forgetting already!!! Take care of yourself and let us know how you are doing. Steph

Welcome home Kim. I'm so sorry to hear they had to cut you open. I am so afraid of that. Please take care of yourself, and take it easy. Soon you will feel better and better. Hugs, Rosa

Hi KIm! I had my surgery on Jan 11th, everything went well and I also have the same problems....backache!. I do take my pain meds when needed and it helps, but I think a lot of mine is the gas from surgery I cannot seem to pass it very well...lol! Sorry they had to open you, but everything will be great, just wait and see! Also am having to sleep in the lazy-boy, think i will try the bed tonight, but its hard to get up and my hubby works at night so feel more comfy in the chair. I was actually lucky have had very little pain and things are great!...but yeah I think the backache comes with the deal! Good luck! Jane