Question:
Pain Level After Open RNY- What Should I Expect?
New post-ops that had an open RNY. How bad was the pain right after surgery? I hear it was awful, some say tolerable. What should I expect? — Debbie W. (posted on March 12, 2003)
March 11, 2003
The pain I had was awful.It feels lik you insides are gonna fall out of the
incision when you walk.Day by day it gets better.I had morphine pump which
I took full advantage of.Surgery was December 30,2002 down 63 pounds.
— tpajeski
March 11, 2003
I am four weeks post-op today...also open RNY. I woke up from the surgery
before they had the morphine pump in place, so that was excruciating. But
once the drugs were flowing, I was more uncomfortable than in pain. The
morphine didn't do much for me, but the Demerol worked like a charm. Had
to wait 3-4 hours between shots, though, and towards the end of the 3rd
hour, I'd really start hurting again. The worst pain for me was after I
went home. They sent me home with hydrocodone, which was great, but didn't
last that long on me. Didn't really start feeling well until the end of
the 2nd week...and this past week I'm probably 85% back to normal. And I
even had some minor complications. Nothing was intolerable, but there were
definitely times when I wished that I had never had it done. I'm starting
to change my mind about that as I'm feeling better and losing weight.
— Amy W.
March 11, 2003
First and foremost I should tell you I am a baby when it comes to pain...
The pain was horrible for me the first couple of days I wanted to jump out
the window.. The best way to describe the pain is feeling like someone is
standing on your stomache and you are unable to move.. Thank god for the
morphine pump!! I would do it all over again if I had to. The pain does get
better after a few days..
— HelpMeRhonda !!
March 12, 2003
I was so pumped up for the surgery the doctor said I broke his record for
going home the quickest. Surgery Jan 16th home by noon Jan 18th. My pain
was from laying in a bed that wasn't my own. I had the nursing walking me
around right after the leak test. And I wrapped the morphine pump around
the IV and told them I wasn't going to use it. I am so please would do it
again anyday!
— Kathy V.
March 12, 2003
Forgot to metion my surgery was open and in seven weeks I am down 35 pounds
— Kathy V.
March 12, 2003
Yes the pain was bad but not nearly as bad as I had expected. I had myself
prepared for excruciating pain and it certainly wasn't excruitating. It
was tolerable.
— sandy L.
March 12, 2003
hi..I am a serious wimp when it comes to pain and I thought the pain wasnt
that bad I mean it was tolerable..Ive had pap smears that were ten times
worse LOL
— christine S.
March 12, 2003
You will get a variety of answers on this (as you already have, I see).
For me, I would describe it more as discomfort than pain. I moved *very*
gingerly and was fearful of pulling stitches, etc. But I can't say I
recall being in bad pain at any point -- though I've seen plenty of people
post who've had that awful reaction. I think it's individual.
— Suzy C.
March 12, 2003
If you are good with pain, then it should be *at best* tollerable. It was
awful for me, but it didn't last long. I was off pain meds in 3 days. The
worst part is getting up and trying to move, which you have to do right
away for fear of blood clots, etc... You don't realize how much you use
your abdominal muscles. Even lifting my head hurt. Believe it or not,
getting up and trying your best to walk around and such worked wonders for
me. I felt much worse if I just layed around and got "stiff". It
was by far the worst pain I've ever gone through, but SO worth it.
— Kelly C.
March 12, 2003
Hi there - I am going to respond as both a 20 year experienced ICU RN as
well as a fellow WLS surgical patient-- i am now 8 DAYS post op RNY. It
all depends on many factors- your past experience with pain, how your
emotional health is, the type of post-op pain management regime that you MD
requests, but MOST important is your attitude !!!!!! IF you believe you
will be in extreme pain - you will be-- please get yourself prepared to
GET out of bed and be a GOOD patient!!!! I will not tell you i have had
"fun" but its hasnt been awful either. I was told I was one of
the best patients they had. BE prepared and you will do GREAT !!!!! 8
days/10#
— Kewpidoll
March 12, 2003
prepare for the worst and hope for the best....everyone is differnt! good
luck
— Deanna Wise
March 12, 2003
It depends on the type of pain management that your surgeon uses and your
pain tolerance. Good Luck and stay positive!
— beetle B.
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