Pain after bypass?

Hi Everyone,

I am still at the beginning of the journey and investigating having gastric bypass.  I was first interested in a Lap-Band but because of some other related medical issues my surgeon suggested I seriously consider a Roux-En-Y procedure instead. 

I am wondering what sort of pain is involved immediately following surgery.  I mean, they completely change your insides, that has to hurt, right???

Also, just the idea of it makes me so nervous...can anyone help me get some perspective on this??

It may all be academic anyway as I haven't yet heard whether my insurance will approve the surgery.  If they won't then I can't afford it myself. 

Thanks for your help.  I look forward to hearing any advice you may be able to give.

Thanks!!!

I have seen a lot of people post on here that they had little or no pain after surgery, I am not one of them. I was in an incredible amount of pain after the surgery, I don't know if it was because they waited too long to give me something for it or what, but when I woke up from the surgery I was in agony. Eventually they got a hold of it and it was better, but I did experience lots of pain. I have had a lot of injuries and surgeries, and always thought I had a high tolerance for pain, but this was way worse than I could have imagined. You may have a totally different experience though, it is impossible to tell.....

Don't let that be a deterrent to you though, it is a small price to pay to get healthy.

I am one of the people that has had no pain..... I had Lap RNY 10 days ago and have had no pain at all. I can only say that for the first 5 days or so my abdominal muscles felt like I had done too many sit-ups. I slept easily, and even on my side after a few days.

I am also getting in all my fluids (60-80 ounces a day) and 72 grams of protein a day.

I am not a trouper when it comes to pain and don't have a high pain tolerance. I am thrilled with how easy this has been, but also wish that I would hear from others that they had it this easy, and were successful!

Good luck to you with your journey. I would suggest that you call your insurance company and ask them what they cover and what their conditions are.

Martha

I had surgery 5 weeks ago and they kept me pain free in the hospital.  In recovery as soon as I said "it hurts" they were giving me meds.  I was on them for my stay and when I got home I took them maybe twice.  Pain was not an issue - surpriselingly!!

RNY was my first surgery.  I was ready for the worst and was amazed at how little pain I felt.  I took two pain pills at home and never took another one.  It was uncomfortable to get up and down, but not painful by any means.  Had my surgery (one year ago today) on a Monday morning.  Went to the movies Saturday, drove on Sunday, went to grocery on Monday.   These events did exhaust me, but I was capable of actually doing them very soon.

I did have a spinal right before surgery and that made things much more comfortable the first day.  My surgeon does that regularly for his patients.

I had some pain in the hospital, but truthfully, I was expecting it to be much worse.   As others have stated,  getting up and down in the beginning is hard.   I slept propped up on my couch for the first 4 or so nights at home.  It hurt to lay flat.    I was sent home with a perscription for percoset and I really only took a half a pill at nighttime for the first week. I didn't necessarily need them for the pain but  It helped me sleep through the night.

Honestly,

I dunno if my doc was just great or what.  I think I had pain the first week, and I swear, that was IT!!!  By the 3rd week, I was driving and doing household chores.   But then again, my doc was a transplant surgeon for over 33 years.  Talk abt extremely steady hands!!! lol

I'm grateful.  In 9 months, I've lost over 100 lbs!!!!!

I'm more than grateful.  They've given me my life back.

 I had more pain having my tummy tuck and lipo, than I had having RNY.  And actually....even that was more a discomfort.  The only problem I had in the Hospital (3 days stay) was if someone came in to my room with perfume of ANY kind, I got dry heaves.  NOW THAT HURT!  Anything else was discomfort.  WORTH IT!  I would do it again.