Post OP Pain - pulling, feels like muscle cramps - Help?

[SinDLou 4]

I was sleeved 3/3/11. Really feel fantastic, however, just wondering if anyone has "muscle like cramps" where their incisions are. I called the doc's office, spoke to the nurse and she said the largest incision will sometimes give people trouble. Gosh, didn't think I would have problems like this. Any suggustions?

[TijuanaPlication 87]

I got really bad pain nowhere near my incisions when I walked for the first 6 weeks - it felt like the stitch you get from running. Someone suggested it might be referred pain (which I think it probably was), but I didn't get much pain at the actual incisions. Our bodies have been through a lot and sometimes they don't heal as fast as we think they should.

I hope your cramps go away very soon.

[MovinForward 2]

I feel your pain I really do, I had horrible Belly pain around the largest incision site.. It was awful.. Getting up off the recliner couch ect was extremely painful, I slept in a recliner for about 5-6 weeks after surgery and I couldnt bend over to tie my shoes or pick things off the floor... I was checked for a hematoma or hernia and all felt great .. They told me not to lift or do anything that caused pain and give it another 4 weeks.. That was at my first checkup.. So it took about 5 weeks. It was sore and felt like a muscle was on its last limb and ready to rip open.. I was so relieved when it went away, they said some people get this and they dont know why! I hope your pain subsides soon!

[Marti 5]

My doctor told me that it could because that incision is where they removed the stomach and depending on the size or trouble they had getting the stomach out I could be sore for awhile.

[seniorsleever 17]

Your muscles are bruised and it takes awhile for a bruise to heal. Sometimes they may go into spasm as well. A heating pad may help, but time is the best healer. Continue to move, though--using the muscle will keep them from stiffening up. Good luck to you!

[Can'tweight 41]

Yes, I am 15 days post-op and my left big incision is still swollen. You have to think about the fact that this one had the biggest tool inserted, and as mentioned above, where the old stomach was removed from. We took quite the beating in that area. Are you wearing your binder? I still where mine most of the time. It keeps me from getting so sore in that area. Everything you do seems to effect that incision. Including going potty, turning, getting up and down, slumping, bending over, etc...

Hang in there! It will gradually get better. No worries...

[My Big Day 3/15/2011 4]

I am experiencing terrible mid back pain for days now. Wondering if this is related to my surgery I had on the 15th...I was off the pain meds since day 4 but today I had to take one..what is going on with me? Wondering if it is muscular, or my kidneys, or a sign of dehydration. On Thursday at the Dr they said I was only 35% hydrated.

[NJMOMof2 17]

Ice packs were a LIFESAVER!!!! I had two on my stomach in the hospital and kept them on when I got home. It made such a difference!!!

[myrori 55]

Totally normal! Doc explained the large incision had the deepest stitches. This too shall pass and be but a distant memory.

[SinDLou 4]

Thanks everyone for the feedback! I have good days, then days when the muscle spasms take my breath away. I do have a one month check up this week so will discuss with my doc. However, the posts above have been VERY helpful. Thanks so much for taking the time to reply to my question.

[myrori 55]

I am experiencing terrible mid back pain for days now. Wondering if this is related to my surgery I had on the 15th...I was off the pain meds since day 4 but today I had to take one..what is going on with me? Wondering if it is muscular, or my kidneys, or a sign of dehydration. On Thursday at the Dr they said I was only 35% hydrated.

I had mid back pain under the right shoulder blade till about the 8 week mark, it was especially bad when I had to sit up all day at work. In retrospect I would guess that it was a nerve yelling about swelling or what not of things being different in there now.

[cheermom 0]

I was sleeved 3/3/11. Really feel fantastic, however, just wondering if anyone has "muscle like cramps" where their incisions are. I called the doc's office, spoke to the nurse and she said the largest incision will sometimes give people trouble. Gosh, didn't think I would have problems like this. Any suggustions?

I had them day 2 and was still in the hospital and they gave me benadry and it helped me relax the muscles

[SinDLou 4]

UPDATE: Visit and exam by the doc yesterday. He said the muscle spasms were nothing to worry about. He explained they use stitch thread as big as the "thickest fishing line string you can buy." And that the stitch is deep and my body sees this as a foreign object. With time, he reassured me, I should be fine. He also said people complain about this muscle spasm like pain usually 3-6 weeks post op. I'm in week 5.

Thanks again for all your comments. I love this website!

Have a super day.