Pain? After? Work?

Hello All,

I am scheduled for my surgery in 2 days!! Whoop! I am so pumped! My nerves got the best of me last week, but I am on track this week! I don't want to dig too deep on the internet, because my doctors said to stay off! They have recommeded this site and I am very curious about how everyone's pain was the first week after surgery. I am taking 8 days off of work and the LVN I work with thinks I am nuts. My doctor's office has more than assured me that I will be able to return to work and have seen people have surgery on a Wednesday and return to work on a Monday. I am just curious because I fel that alot of pain management is mind over matter. I believe I learned that when I had my breast reduction at 19. Any comments? Thoughts? Thanks for the help!

Which surgery are you having?  

I'm post-op VSG.  I had surgery on the 13th and I stopped taking any sort of pain killers a few days ago.  Before that I tapered off, but I don't think I ever needed the max amount of pain killers, even that first day back at home.  

Right now it's not pain that's so much of an issue, it's energy.  I certainly don't have as much energy as I did two weeks ago!

I'm having the VSG. Okay! This makes me feel better. I understand that this is not going to feel awesome, but I work a desk job and I didn't want to think I was too crazy! THANKS SO MUCH!

I had VSG.  Day 1 I was gorked out of my skull.  Day 2 I was very sore, but ok.  Day 3 I was on tylenol, and I won't say pain free but pretty much functional.  Day 5 I took out my Q Ball and it was all downhill from there.  No major pain at all.  Soreness & sensitivity, but that's about it.  

3 months out and I've discovered a whole new level of pain.  KeithL's workout. 

Oh, and I second Gwen's comment about energy.  I was wiped out for 2 weeks.  I could exert myself for all of  30 minutes and then I'd need a rest.  At 2 weeks I went back to work out of boredom, and the first few days by 5pm it was all I could do to stay awake on teh drive home.  

I went to vegas at 5 weeks out and walked my ever living butt off and have never slept longer or better, but there wasn't any pain (except my feet). 

This is reassuring to me!  I'm going to NYC for a trip in my fifth week :)

Is there anything your doctor recommended to help with the fatigue?  

Alicia

keep drinking, rest when I could, and don't let myself get sedentary.  The more you move the faster you heal and the less it hurts.  Really it was all about setting and achieving short goals.  

I went in on a Friday, came home on Sunday with no pain killers.  I was out and about on Tuesday and went back to work the following Monday, no problem.  I have a desk job too so it was a pretty easy transition.  

Don't be a hero though - if you need those pain meds be sure to take them. The body heals a whole lot faster when it's not in pain.  

Pain wasn't the issue keeping me home longer than 8 days.  It was the horrible listlessness that had me down for a good 5-6 weeks during my perfect recovery.  I spent another 2 weeks working on an eating and bathroom routine that would work in the workplace.  Just in case, tell your employer that you "may" need more time.