Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Level of discomfort first few weeks after surgery



Recommended Posts

Can some of you please tell me your level of discomfort and pain for the first few weeks after surgery and when you finally started feeling normal again. I just starting my journey. Don't even have a date yet just feeling pretty overwhelmed with all the info so far. Thanks in advance.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my surgery on July 26th and I felt pretty good the next day. I feel great today. Yesterday I went shopping in Palm Springs for 3 hours, in 112 degree heat. Besides alittle side ache at one point I felt great. My mom ended up carrying my purse by the 2 hour though. I am not tired or achy or anything. If I wasnt so restricted with the eating...I would feel preop normal. I return to work on Monday but I am a nanny so I have an ez job. Everyone is different though.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I felt fine but tired. I could do all of my normal activities but by the end of the day I was ready for bed. Fell asleep instantly each night and woke up feeling better each day. Back to "normal" by about week 5 when I started eating real food.< /p>

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The first week I had terrible heartburn pain and I was exhausted all the time.

The second week the Prilosec had started working and I was able to do housework, walk, go shopping etc. just got a little more tired than I used to.

The 3rd week I was eating mushy foods and felt much much better. My stitches were healed nicely and the dr. said I could go swimming. I went to the pool a lot and started walking more.

The 4th and 5th week (where I am now) I feel better than I did before surgery. I'm lighter and move better. I'm beginning to eat regular food and I feel absolutely normal. I do yardwork in 95+ temp. and go hiking with the family.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

No pain. Ever. Discomfort, yes but never pain. VSG was an outpatient procedure for me. Home that night. Now, I did battle horrid nausea for first few days and that was not fun. Like others, the first week was a lot of sleeping, walking as often as I could and sipping to keep hydrated.

Would I go through the same discomfort again? Yes. No regrets.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am two weeks out today and feel very good.

The first week I stopped taking the pain med on the 3rd day thinking I didn't want to become addicted. That was stupid I started taking it again mainly at night. I was never in "pain" just some discomfort.

After the surgery they put a patch behind my ear to prevent being nauseaus. They said to keep it on about 3 days but I kept it on a week and never was nauseus. I really felt so much better the day they took the staples out!

Would I do it again? In a heartbeat!

After losing 20# I can walk without pain in my hips.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am 9 days post op - sleeved on 7/25 in Tijuana. I went to the dentist less than 24 hours after my surgery - rode in a van, walked about two blocks, and had a tooth pulled. I had not had any pain meds since early am when I left the surgery center. When I returned back to the Recovery House, I had 30 mg of Toradol (antiinflammatory/pain reliever - not a narcotic) and that was only because my mouth hurt. I have not had any pain meds since. I am walking 2 miles a day and began that on day 4. I definitely have some fatigue and it is a constant effort to sip, sip, sip to stay hydrated. Especially in summer heat. I am not hungry and I have to remind myself to eat. I am not getting more than 600 calories in per day and about 50 - 70 grams of that are Protein (shakes mainly as I am still on pureed).

Piece of cake for me, really is. I am 52 and my starting wt was 240, lost 17 and day of surgery I was 223. I will say though, I have always been moderately active and I did increase my exercise before my surgery.

biggrin.gif

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My first 5 days were pretty much all discomfort although every day got better. After that I would have good days and 'less good' (none were horrible) days. I'm just over 3 weeks out, and I'm sleeping in my bed again and getting a lot done around the house, etc. I go back to work Monday when teachers go in for inservice. I'm really thankful that I had a full month to recover. I know there are others who seems to recover in days, but I was definitely not one of those! Don't worry though, it gets better so quickly that it's very easy to forget the discomfort. It already seems like so long ago for me!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I did not have any "real" pain from the surgery itself, but did have ALOT of gas for about 3-4 days post-op. I didn't take any pain meds after leaving the hospital at all.

I was very tired for about 3 weeks. I became severly anemic and once I got that under control and started taking lots of Iron and was able to really "eat" it helped!

The surgery itself is not painful. It is the moving your muscles around in your belly that hurts. It almost felt as if I had done 3,000 crunches, but trust me, it is all worth it!

Kelly :)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My sleeve was an out patient procedure. Surgery was as 9:30 am and I was discharged at 3:30 pm. There was no real pain but discomfort from the gas and some soreness for about 3-4 days. I only took 1 pain pill the night of surgery and did not need any after that. Each day I felt better and better. My sleeve was done on July 18 and I feel great. Good luck on your journey.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my surgery July 18th at UCLA Medical Center, I was discharged from the hospital Wednesday the 21st which I am told is the typical amount of time to expect to spend in the hospital, the hospital sucked the second day because they took me off my pain pump. In the hospital I was really sore and my back hurt from the awful bed but all in all I was ok. My first night at home was much better although laying flat in my bed made breathing uncomfortable; I was off my pain meds my second day at home and after that I only took them at night. The discomfort in bed only lasted like three days which is about how long my extreme discomfort lasted. I'm ending day 15 today and I feel great! I was only tired easily for the first fiveish days. I no longer feel any discomfort at all (well bending down can be uncomfortable at times lol) and I can start the treadmill tomorrow, my incisions are all scabbed up and a few are healed with no scabs, that and being 15lbs down in 2 weeks is pretty awesome! It is mostly discomfort not too much pain, but follow all instructions your Dr. gives you and take it slow! Good luck!!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had surgery July 26 th, I feel fine the only complaint is I'm Sooo tired. I hope this ends soon because I need to get out and walk and play with my kids.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks everyone for your replies. A few years ago I feel down some basement stairs and broke 10 ribs, most of them having multiple fractures so my husband says that if I can make it through that I should be able to make it through this...I hope it goes as well for me when the time comes as it has for some of you. It's nice to have a place like this to talk with people that are going through the same things. Thanks again to everyone!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×