Question:
Please let me know about the pain after an open RYN

Hi, someone else asked this same question and it seemed all the answers were from people who had LAP. I would like some input from those who have had and Open RYN, I would rather know kinda what to expect this way Iwon't be too surprised . I can usually deal pretty well with pain, had my gall bladder out years ago and it was open not lap. Is this worse? Thanks for the input. LOL — Maureen M. (posted on March 17, 2003)

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March 17, 2003
I thought the pain was pretty bad. I had an epidural for pain management, but it didn't touch the top inch or so of the incision. It was horrible getting in and out of bed, it was very uncomfortable walking around for the first days, and I was left with a achy pain on the left of the incision for about 2 weeks. Picture a train, picture it coming straight at you, any questions? I sincerely don't think we are told how bad it is. Be prepared that you will come to a point where you second guess why you did this. It passes, thats the best news!
— Tracy T.

March 17, 2003
I had a laprascopic RNY and I was really surprised that I had very little pain. I was walking around a few hours after surgery and flew home 6 days later. I would highly recommend the lap RNY.
— Kathy R.

March 17, 2003
There's no getting around it--the pain is pretty rough. As long as I laid very still it wasn't bad, but getting in and out of bed was the toughest. It felt like I had been doing 1000 sit-ups a day for weeks. Very, very sore. But it is true that the more you move around the better it gets. It's hard to force yourself to get up because it hurts but just know that it's best in the long run and helps in the healing process. The first week you will be extremely sore but it gets better. Good luck!
— Brenda H.

March 17, 2003
I have a very high pain threshold since I live with a chronic pain disorder (fibromyalgia). I'm basically in pain 24/7. So I really can't say I had a lot of pain with my open RNY. The thing that hurt the most was my back, not the incision and certainly not the inside stomach part (didn't feel anything there at all). Pain is VERY subjective. They gave me morphine and later Toradol, when the morphine made me nauseous. This worked great, and I was up walking the first day and took about 10 walks the 3 days I was there. I was up and down, in and out of my bed constantly, too, as this was the only thing that seemed to help my back a bit. The hospital beds are very uncomfortable. I took a big bottle of liquid Vicodin home (Lortab elixir), and used it for two weeks. I have to say that PAIN, for me, has not been the hardest part of this surgery...not by a long shot. Hugs, Joy
— [Deactivated Member]

March 17, 2003
I had open RNY and the pain was bad at first. However, after I got some pain meds into me it was some better, as long as I didn't have to move. LOL The best description I can give is severe muscle pain, like you did a ton of ab crunches. I never had sharp pain, just very sore muscle pain. My surgeon makes you get out of bed 2 hours after surgery and that was the worst pain I have probably ever experienced. None of the 6 people standing around me barking orders would help either. I had to learn how to get out of bed on my own. All this said, the pain really wasn't anything I didn't expect. I had major surgery and they took retractor's and spread my guts open. So I never thought - what did I do. I knew I would hurt but I also knew it was temporary. Each day improved and I was able to get up myself and go for walks alone in the hospital. It just took time to heal. I was sent home on Thursday with a huge bottle of liquid percoset and by saturday the first week I was off the pain meds and only used tylenol occassionally when needed. Everyones pain threshold is different but no matter how bad it is it WILL get better. Each day you will make strides and the pain will be a distant memory. The long term benefits far outweigh any pain at the beginning. I had my gallbladder out LAP but both my parents had theirs out open. If you have the big zorro scar then I would venture to guess this would be no worse and probably better.
— zoedogcbr

March 17, 2003
My pain receded pretty quickly but the first night after the surgery was pure hell!!! I couldn't hardly breathe without pain and when they moved me from the ICU bed to my recovery room bed I passed out as they slid me over. They wouldn't give me more Morphine no matter how much I complained since I have sleep apnea and Morphine would interfere with my breathing; but, they finally decided I could use a "little more" when I screamed like a banshee when the doctor tried to have me moved around. Luckly this only lasted a day. After 3 days they removed me from the morphine pump and I didn't have any need for any more pain meds. For the first couple weeks my incision was sore and it did hurt a bit to move around but nothing serious. Also there was pain from coughing and when I went layed flat on the bed. Take Care, Be Well, Be Happy!
— John T.

March 17, 2003
I had Open RNY and knew I would be in pain, but not the kind I experienced. I have never experienced more pain than after surgery. My epidural worked good, so I didn't experience alot in the hospital. But when I got home the next few days were the worst. The pain pills made me sick, so it seemed I could get no relief. The good news is, the pain passes and the next thing you know you are feeling better and your new life begins.
— Monette L.

March 17, 2003
I am a baby when it comes to pain and I was uncomfortable, but not to an extream. I took my pain meds for the first 5 days, and then only used them when I started to feal pain. Which was not often. I have had the surgery twice now in less than 15 months and at neither time was it so bad that pain meds did not make the pain go away. I had no epidural, but a morphine pump in the hospital. And demoral when I went home.
— nkoehler88

March 17, 2003
I was like you before I had my surgery, worried about the pain. It really wasn't that bad. I felt like I had done a thousand situps and my muscles were super sore. I didn't have "the worst pain in my life". All things considered, it wasn't too bad. I was expecting much, much worse. Read my profile. Open RNY 11-11-02 Down 115lbs
— dkinson

March 17, 2003
I had Open RNY (w/ gallbladder removal) 11/11/02. I have to honestly say it was the worst pain of my life. But let me explain. I think that the worst part was the tremendous back pain that I was experiencing. I wasn't expecting that at all. I was never told that was a possibility. If so, I would have prepared myself a little. I'm not sure I could have prepared myself for the degree of pain I felt. I think it had to do with lying on the operating table. I NEVER lie on my back!!! I woke up in recovery complaining of back pain and the pain lasted for nearly a month. Also I noticed when I was in pain I would hold my breath. DON'T DO THAT! Breathe. Remember to breathe. If you have your concentration set on your breathing then it will make the pain less obvious. Bring lots & lots of pillows. What helped me when I got back from the hospital (I wish I had brought it with me) was a hot water bottle. The actual stomach/abdomen pain was completely tolerable for the most part. Just remember to allow yourself to be pampered. Good luck and feel free to email me with any questions. I wish you the best!
— Tracy A.

March 17, 2003
hi there :) i had open rny on feb 8 02. i was scared about the pain, i seem to handle pain well but theres always that fear of the unknown. i was expecting far more pain than i actually endured. while there was pain, it wasnt too too bad, in fact, i stopped the pain med i was on cuz it gave me the dry heaves and weird dreams and i delt with it ok. i think i hated the really bad taste in my mouth more than anything else. best of luck to you! :)
— carrie M.

March 17, 2003
As we say, everyone is different. Some have fierce pain others like me, were off all pain meds in two days. Your experience will be unique.
— faybay

March 17, 2003
I had an open RNY on 3-5-03 and the pain was manageable. Agree with others that it felt like sore muscles. I had a lap gallbladder removal done about 8 yrs. ago and I was alot more uncomfortable with the first 24 hrs after that (too much nausea). I have deg disc disease and the chronic pain from that is more severe. Weird thing is that during the first week post surgery, I had no back pain-that was worth the surgery right there! Back pain has returned but is not as severe--staying on percocet for this and managed better than prior to surgery. Was on higher doses of percocet for back pain prior to the surgery than I am needing now. The worse pain was two days after surgery, I had abdominal pain due to trapped bowel gas and that was far more uncomfortable than the incision site, but this pain lasted only 24 hrs. I hope this helps. Suzanne S.
— Suzanne S.

March 17, 2003
I've had 14 surgeries so I know about pain. It was the third most painful surgery for me. I woke up and honest, my first thought was "My God what did I do to myself?". It was terrible, but it slowly gets better. And like anything else, sometimes you have to endure alittle pain (or alot) to get better.
— Danmark

March 17, 2003
I had RNY on June 10th 2002 and for the first three days I had an epidural that made it totally pain free. In fact I was dancing in the halls of the hospital! My Doctor believes in the epidural because it allows you to really get up and walk. I spent most of those first days in the hallway walking endlessly(got bored laying around in the bed). They removed it on a Thursday moring and all I can say is OUCH!! I had pain for around three days after coming home. IN fact I thought I wasnt going to make it! Then magically I woke up on the following Teusday after surgery and all pain had vanished. Was it worth it? Heck yeah, it was the best thing I ever did. I go back in on the 2nd of April for a Staple line disrupture repair and anticipate that I will go through about the same thing!
— cindy O.

March 17, 2003
i am with another poster, when i woke up i said what in the hell did i do to myself...but within days i was up an about annoying everyone.....today i am exactly 3 months out and done 60 pounds
— Alexandria D.

March 17, 2003
oh yeah i forgot to mention try not to sneeze or cough
— Alexandria D.

March 17, 2003
At the VERY VERY worst, on a scale of 1-10 (ten being the worst) I only got to MAYBE a 6 on the first day. I have had an open gallbladder removal when I was 15, and I have also had 3 kids.. and all of that was worse than my WLS. I do not have a high tolerance for pain, either. Sarah.. WLS 2/3/03 -48 lbs
— SarahC

March 17, 2003
Just a note about coughing--remember they WANT you to cough after surgery to help stimulate the lungs and prevent pneumonia. Just remember to bring a firm pillow (like a small throw pillow from the couch) to hold against your abdomen while you do it. It's good for the ride home, too. I forgot mine and boy do I wish I'd had it! I had lap and I had more back pain than incision pain. I was sore, but it wasn't too bad. I found it easier to get around after WLS than after my c-section.
— ctyst

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