True Confessions!

I'm glad that your pain is relatively minor, and I suppose at a week out, you're probably getting to the point where your postop pain is less intense, but .......  I don't like Tylenol as a pain reliever - it's not terribly effective and the therapeutic and toxic doses are WAY too close together. Ibuprofen has its own set of problems as well.  In a postop situation, you're actually better off to go ahead and use some narcotic pain relief, rather than take a lot of Tylenol and NSAIDs.  There will be some tylenol or Ibu in with most narcotic pain tablets.  If you feel your pain levels are low, then take a smaller dose of the narcotic med. To me, trying to relieve pain with Tylenol is flirting with damage to your liver.  I don't think it's worth it - there are a few orans tha tyou do NOT want to mess with, and liver is right up there on the list, to me. I hope your recovery continues to be so smooth and comfortable! Love Dennie

Hi Mary, I've heard about some patients that have the open DS that have residual muscular pain in their shoulders (I wouldn't be surprised about the back, too). If someone would chime in here with the why's and wherewithall's to the pain in these muscular groups, I'd appreciate it - BT? Were you the one who told me about "the hooks?" Anywho, since you're a newly-out from surgery, Mary, I'd suggest doing some gentle stretching execises of the muscle groups that feel so painful (shoulders and back). Make sure to be gentle with yourself, and stretch (stretching will move along the lactic acid that may have built up in those muscles while you were under anesthesia, and the surgical staff had to position your body so they could get to the innards (the hooks)).  Good luck, and let us know how the pain goes. I'm proud of you for going through with your DS. You've waited so long, and been courageous. Hugs, anne

  Hi.. my Mom just had surgery actually (nothing to do with wls, she's tiny) and she was told that she'd probably experience some pain in her shoulder and back caused from the gas they put in She's been having pain in both locations and is hoping it will subside soon

Mary!  Sounds like you are recovering remarkably well!  I, too had trouble with the sipping.  I couldn't train myself to take small enough sips and everytime I drank something I would end up hurting.  I finally surrendered  and bought some kid's sippy cups.  They worked fantastic.  I used then for a few weeks, but I don't need them any more, because I can drink like a big girl now!                                      LOL

Mary, You must have a high threshold for pain.  Glad to here you are doing well.