home from the hospital

Surgery was yesterday morning at 7am, and I was released tonight about 6pm.

I'm in quite a lot of pain still.  I know that a lot of it is gas pain, and so I've been walking, but oh god does it hurt to walk right now.  I have trouble straightening up because the worst of the pain is right across the center of my abdomen, and as soon as the gas pain starts it is really terrible, cutting right across my chest and up to my shoulders.

What I'm finding difficult right now is that there's all these different unfamiliar kinds of pain and I can't differentiate them.  Like, I just tried drinking some of a thin protein shake, and I felt like I was maybe geting some new pain, but it's hard to tell because everything hurts right now!

I know that this part is fleeting and will get better.  No regrets.  And I am really grateful that I haven't had issues with nausea yet.  The surgeon said that everything went well. 

Wow they sent you home fast! I was in 3 days. Remember, walk walk walk. It hurts now been there done that but it does help get that gas out! And dont be a hero pain meds are your friend!! Welcome sister to the losers bench!!!

It will get better. I tried to go without pain meds to quickly. Wish I would have stayed on the every four hours for a several days! Walk, sip, sleep. Today is 8 days post op and feeling better everyday. Gas pains lasted till about day 4 then disappeared! Good luck! Welcome! Hang in there!

Glad your doing so well that they sent you home. Im still pre-op but I hope everything gets better for you soon. This site really helps with all the posts by very encouraging people and what to expect post-op. You can do this!!!

Welcome to the bench! Each day gets better 

We are glad to hear that your surgery went well.  Please keep up the posting so that we can share your journey.

I am 9 days post-op (done in Switzerland) I am amazed that you go home so quickly in the US. We stay for a minimum of 5 days. I think you are all heros.

I also had pains in different parts of the body. I luckily followed the forum, so I knew that the pain in the shoulder was gas pain. I still have stabbing pain on my left side, but it is less after my drain was taken out. I now have back pain, which I have to take pain medicine for.

It does however get better. Just keep walking. I also agree that you should take the pain medicine when you need it.

It is pretty common for Lap RNY's to go home the next day.  I work on a bariatric surgical unit at a major university hospital and almost everyone goes home around 5pm the day after surgery.  WALK, WALK, WALK--it will help tons.  Of course I say this as a nurse, not as someone that has experiences the surgery yet--but will soon on June 26th.

I'm 4 weeks out and still find plenty of unfamiliar pain. Not the new post-op type, but as you heal just know that it's normal for twinges to hit seemingly random here and there. Also, your actual stomach pouch will certainly feel different. I couldn't, and still really can't tell any difference between empty and full other than when drinking. I measure in order to keep from overfilling my pouch. The first sip of morning fluid especially hits hard... Not nausea really, but not pleasant, either.

Don't forget to take your pain meds right on time, if you stay ahead of it, you'll be glad! :)

By tomorrow you'll be feeling better and each day beyond that, better and better!