I had my surgery on October the 6th - couple of days ago and today is the third day. Since I woke up in recovery I was feeling excruciating pain in my chest, lungs and my neck. Doctor even prescribed hydromorphine for me - well, it doesn't work...

I have to go back to work in two days and I am dreading it. I never though that this surgery would bring me so much pain.

Hang in there! The first few days are always the worst. Make sure that you're up and walking as much as possible- although it may be painful at first, it will help relieve some of the gas pain. I had the referred chest & shoulder pain too. It will get better everyday, take the pain medicine on a regular schedule, and I would recommend taking more time off work. You need time to let your body heal!.

If the pain gets worse, or is persistant call your doc! They work for you!

My dr said you could take up to 4000 mg of Tylenol in a 24 hr period in addition to the pain meds. I'm a big wuss when it comes to pain....

I'm sorry you're experiencing so much pain. The first few days can be tough.

If you haven't done so already, maybe you should call your Dr. and let him know the pain meds aren't helping and ask if there is something else they can suggest or prescribe.

Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

What your experiencing sounds like gas pains.

Many suffer with that after banding and most say that walking relieves it.

Why don't you try some Gas-X that may relieve some of your discomfort.

Hope you feel better.

I totally agree with the previous posters. That gas pain can be a BEAR! I will add one thing, if you are not feeling well enough to return to work you might consider speaking to your doctor about giving you a written medical excuse/letter for a few more days off. Not everyone recovers quickly, so if you need more time and can take it, do so. I had my surgery on Monday and scheduled myself to return to work on Friday for half day. Fortunately, my workload was very light but I will tell you this, I was sooooo glad to get home after working half a day! I spent the weekend resting and felt much better on Monday.

If you need more time, if at all possible, take it.

Good luck.

~F

i just had surgery on tuesday 10/5 and i am still suffering. I cant sleep , i was prescrbed vicodn and it does not work. even the smallest hiccup hurts like hell :'(

I got sent home on Darvocet.. much weaker drug than vicodin or hydromorphine, so I understand where ya'll are coming from.

One thing I would suggest, ~~ and maybe you're already doing this, I can't tell from your postings ~~ is to take your pain medication as often as it is allowed. Do not wait for the pain to start to take the meds. It's much easier to stay on top of the pain instead of treating it once it arrives.

As time passes and you start feeling better (and you will!!), you can start gradually increasing the time between doses.

It will get better, it just seems forever. I remember commenting to my husband that I had new empathy for those who live with chronic pain, because I was having a small dose of what those people live with every day.

I agree with the others, please contact your doctor about the pain medication not being adequate. I was stupid (and mad.. I told them before surgery that Darvocet wouldn't be adequate and no one would believe me) and I took prescription strength doses of Ibuprofen, later to find out that it's a bad idea to take that with a band. So please call your doc.

Hope you feel better soon.

I too hurt badly the first week of my surgery, I couldn't even take a deep breath with out being in horrible pain. I slept for 3 days straight. I had my surgery on August 24th and didn't really start feeling myself untill over a week later. I was lucky, my Dr put me out for 2 weeks and I am soo greatful because I was in too much pain to go back to work after one week. When I complained of the pain he told me I could use liquid motrin between my doses of vicodin.

Please make sure you are walking as much as you can and drinking the Water. I did get dehydrated but not bad enough to go to the emergency room. Good luck and as soon as this period is over it gets easier...I promise. =)

I hurt so bad the first few days after surgery. The first night was pure hell with the gas! I was sent home with liquid lortab (fantastic stuff)...I was finally able to really function..still with a little pain by the 5th or 6th day post op. Just keep walking that gas out and sipping on water to keep hydrated. It'll get easier!! :biggrin:

I'm one week out today and can honestly say it does get better. I had a rough week, but I'm so glad to finally be here today, with no nausea or gas pains. Hang in there!

I had mine Oct 7 and am also in quite a bit of pain. I'm sleeping in reclyner and taking my meds on schedule, sometimes I'm taking it an hour early. I think many go back to work too soon. Maybe you could try to get next week off? If you are in USA, maybe get your doc to fill out some FMLA paperwork for you.

I had my surgery on October the 6th - couple of days ago and today is the third day. Since I woke up in recovery I was feeling excruciating pain in my chest, lungs and my neck. Doctor even prescribed hydromorphine for me - well, it doesn't work...

I have to go back to work in two days and I am dreading it. I never though that this surgery would bring me so much pain.

i had mine on the 5th and i had bad neck pain and chest pain the neck pain is gone now i still get some chest pain and i havent ate anything since october 3rd and i still have gas but i have lost 13 pounds since the 5th i can only do a load of laundry and then have to lay down for an hour i didnt know it would be this painfull either it really hurts

Mine was 10/5 and today is the first day I could get up without moaning. Having read so many accounts of minimal post-op pain, I was beginning to worry something was wrong, because I was hurting so much.

Yesterday I decided to start taking some ibuprofen between the doses of pain meds because I was just not making it the 4 hours between meds. It actually really helped! You can run it by your Dr. They have liquid ibuprofen, but I'm actually ok with small tablets.

Hang in there!!

I am now nearly 6 weeks post op and remember that pain.It wasn't until i read through my post op instruction day 3 that i realized i could take ibuprofen on top of my panadol and wow what a difference that made and i turned the corner. Please check with your doc as i know a lot do not allow ibuprofen as it has been associated with damage to the stomach lining.

I'm sorry that your in so much pain! The first week was really rough for me....it felt like someone hit me in the gut with a truck! It does get better. One thing that does disturb me is that you're being released back to work so early! I was off for two weeks. Does your job require any kind of lifting? If it does and you go back, be extremely careful! I hope things get better for you soon! Hang in there!