Hi friends, surggery was at 5:00 on tuesday. I alll went very well. I have a few small incisions and one 2 inch one going down to the right of my belly button. I have to tell you the pain surrounding the larger incision is terrible. Its impossible to get up from bed, or a chair, it actually takes your breadthh away. Its also swollen in that area. The doctors said the pain is all muscles. Yes it feels like I did 6,000 sit ups. I was very worried abbout that but they said it will get better. Its only been 3 days and im such a big baby. I never had any surgery before so I did not know what to expect. Its hard for me to even cough. Have any of you hhad this severe muscle pain? Im taking next week off of work to rest up since there is no way I could return on Monday. I Know I made the right decision but wow the muscle pain in that area is pretty painfull and hard to get up and down, foreget about bending, and the swelling. Am I just being over worried? Is this to be expected? The doctor said i will be fine but I get paranoid.

Just popping in to give you a big cyberhug and congratulations on going over the rainbow....rest, sip and be merry!

all the soreness is normal. just work through the pain and stay up and moving. the larger incision is where the port is. it will be sore and pull for awhile but will eventually go away. i remember the inability to turn over in bed, etc. again, it will get better. the more you move, turn, cough, the faster you'll heal. put a pillow over your incisions and press, when you need to cough. you go girl!

I was typing this big long post and I got booted.... ugh....

Anyway CONGRATS on your new band!!! and Welcome Home!!!

Yes the pain is VERY normal... and will go away.. even though it may not seem like it... just take it very easy and relax!!! you just had major surgery!!!

Take Care

Hi DAA, I had surgery Wed morning and the majority of my pain is coming from mylargest incision, but mine is in a different place than you describe. What I found out yesterday that made walking around sooo much better is to "hold" my belly up when I'm not sitting down. I carry a lot of weight in my belly, and when I would stand or walk, since my belly hangs down, it would "pull" on the area where my incision was. It looks absolutely ridiculous, but if I support my belly from underneath (literally - hold it up) I'm able to walk with MUCH less pain and "puling" sensation... but man, befire I ralized that yesterday, I described it as feeling like I was being pulled apart. It hurt so much.

This was my first surgery too. I cannot cough, hiccup, or laugh w/o significant pain. I can finally today get in and out of a chair without a lot of to-do, but it still hurts. I do not have any swelling at my incision sites.

I had planned to return to work Monday, but think I was a little optimistic. Not so much a pain factor b/c I have an office job, but my incisions are placed such that they would interfere with bra/pants.

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Editing to add - don't be worried by our difference in pain/symptoms. I have a very high pain tolerance.

I'm happy to hear that your surgery went well. Pain after surgery is normal for most people. There are those rare occasions when someone has such minimal pain that they don't require pain meds. In any event, welcome to bandland and I hope you have a speedy recovery.

Welcome to bandland!:biggrin1: