I had my surgery on Dec.15th, I'm about 3 weeks out. I've been doing good so far. I only had pain the first week after surgery, until now. I have a severe pain under my left rib. It's above the incision that the stapler went through. I woke up with it, this morning. I can't even stand straight up. I have to lay down in a fetal position to get any relief. Is this normal? I called my Dr. and got a appointment for tomorrow. The pain is different than any other pain I felt before. It's actually worse than the week after surgery. It feels like the worse muscle cramp, that you could possilbly have. I'm so scared that this is something serious, It hurts so bad, I'm debating on whether I should go to the ER. I'm confined to my bed. I barely move to go to the bathroom. Please someone tell me this is normal?

I was getting really chronic pain in my abdomen up until a few days ago (I'm 5 weeks out now) and I was concerned. Someone on here said it could be referred pain, which seemed to make sense. I've been OK for 4 days now and have started exercising... although if you're concerned then it's always good to be on the safe side and you could go to the ER.

FYI my pain was manageable with pain meds, but I had concerns it may never go away and I didn't want to get hooked on painkillers... I know my mind was starting to run away a bit, but I guess we all do that with the unknown.

Let us know how you get on.

If your pain is that sever, by all means play it safe and go to the ER. Be sure to let them know your recent sx history.. Best of luck to you!

Thanks for the info. I'm usually really good with pain. I can handle alot, but this is more severe than I've ever had. I'm hoping that it's nothing serious, and maybe the Dr. can tell me something good tomorrow.

I had severe pain under my ribs and I had overdid it. I was cleaning up-picking up dirty clothes, unloading and loading the dishwasher. It was from bending over and my poor tummy was not quite ready for that...gee I guess that is why the doctor said no housework for 6 weeks. I took children's tylenol to help with the pain. Hopefully when you see the doctor it will not be anything major. Keep us posted.

If you begin having any problems breathing, or start spiking a high fever or vomiting, run, don't walk to the ER. A staple line leak (which this starts to sound like) is nothing to mess around with.

I don't have fever and I have not been vomiting, but I still can't stand up straight without it killing me. Pain meds don't even touch it.

I am almost 7 months out and I will l get an uncomfortable feeling under my left rib cage. I have no idea what it is, it does not happen often, but it was going on a few days ago. It was off and on all day, not severe, just uncomfortable. I don't remember it happening the entire 7 months, I guess this started happening, maybe the first time several months ago. Who knows why. Any ideas? It just isn't something that seems serious enough to call the doctor.

In a separate thread someone mentioned that mine could be referred pain, as I was only 4.5 weeks out it sounded viable for me, but I can't imagine it being that when you're so far out. Next time you see your doc why don't you ask, I'm sure we'd all be interested to know what's causing it.

Anyway, I hope you're OK and don't get it much at all.

I am almost 7 months out and I will l get an uncomfortable feeling under my left rib cage. I have no idea what it is, it does not happen often, but it was going on a few days ago. It was off and on all day, not severe, just uncomfortable. I don't remember it happening the entire 7 months, I guess this started happening, maybe the first time several months ago. Who knows why. Any ideas? It just isn't something that seems serious enough to call the doctor.

I hope you are ok, you have more will power than I. I would have been at the ER already!