How long was the area around your main incision sore?

Hi,

I'm 16 days out and recovering beautifully, so far.  The only concern I have is this:  Up until yesterday the sore spot on my lower left was getting a little less tender everyday.  Then, yesterday, I must have bent over too far or gotten out of bed wrong because today it feels like it did when I was about 5 days post-surgery.  It's all of a sudden more tender and touchy again.

Does anybody know anything about this? Did anybody have this experience?  Is it possible to re-tear the muscle in there? How long were you sore for all together?

I'd like to know the same thing. Also is it normal for 3 days out for my skin in that area to be kind of numb. It's definitely lost some sensitivity. 

It's normal hon.  If it gets red, inflamed, hot and sore to the touch, and has a foul smelling discarge, then you may have an infection, other than that - you are in normal territory.  The numbness will go away over the next couple of weeks.

 Thanks, nah it's not infected, but I think my body is getting used to the pain meds. The first 2 nights, it took all the pain away, but last night, it did not and I just laid there with that left side feeling tingly and weird. This morning it hurt pretty bad, but the pain meds helped more than last night. Probably because my stomach was empty. I don't like the numbness. It freaks me out!

Don't really have an answer as I was just sleeved on 12/17, but I can say that my main incision which was done through my belly button hurts like a smotherpucker and I have a ringed bruise the color and size of the Aurora Borealis all around it.  I'm actually surprised it's so painful.  My other incisions don't hurt a bit.  Will keep you posted.

OK, these incisions are where they put the "trocars" in to do the operation. 

In other words They shoved five separate fancy pieces of PIPE the size of a turkey baster through your abdominal wall, muscle, fat layers, and all the layer your skin.

It takes a while for all of these layers to heal. I did over-do it at about where you were, but most of the twinges were completely gone in about 3 weeks.  I was back lifting 60 pound packages at about 6 weeks.

I think some numbness is normal as lots of things are cut as they install the trocars, including some nerves.  These often "reconnect" over time and the numbness can go away.

If you have redness or swelling or very specific pain you should as always call the docs on this. 

Gee, Mack, thanks for the very graphic details (I think). But, in all honesty, it DOES help to know the reality of what was actually done.

The tape hurts me worse than any of my incisions. It leaves brush burns on my skin. I'm even using paper tape. That cloth tape kills me.

Just a week out, but still having real discomfort in that area when I stand or walk for too long.  It's like a tugging feeling.  The PA explained to my husband that they oversewed with extra stitches in that area to avoid a hernia.  I will be at the doc's office Wednesday to remove my drain (thank God), and I'm gonna ask about it then.  My back also hurts on the left side.  I suspect that's because my abdomen muscles are AWOL right now.  If it weren't for this discomfort, I'd be rockin' right now!

Mark, I don't think it's unusual to still have a twing of pain after 16 days.  You probably just aggrivated the healing a bit.

3 weeks out, and mine still hurts.  My doctor said it was normal and could be sore for up to 6 weeks out.  He also said not lifting of heavy weights and watch how much I bend as it heals - probably to avoid tugging or worse on the stitches.