I keep having coughing jags and I've tried the old trick of pressing a pillow against your stomach, but it's still sooo painful. My surgery was April 17th. Can I do any damage to the incisions (internal or external) by coughing too hard??

The nurses told me that coughing wouldn't cause any harm. But I know what you mean, it hurts when you do it. I'm ten days out now and it does get better.

ok..this is amazing advice I got in the Hospital by a PA. Don't use a pillow...too soft! Use a book! I am a nurse, he asked me if I had a PDR, yes I do...he said use that! Press a big old book HARD into your belly, you won't hurt yourself and then..cough and get it out! I'm 1 week post op so he wants a few big deep coughs a day! Hard...like one day my laptop, one day the cutting board I was near...work sooo much better! I have spent my nursing career telling people to hug a pillow...a book is so much better!

Good Luck!