I'm 18 days post-op and I cleaned out the garage today. I lifted a couple of heavy things and I'm now feeling some pain/pressure in my lower left abdominal area. I'm totally freaking myself out that I've burst some of the staple line or something else they sewed in there. I'm going to see how it feels in the morning. How do you know if you've got a leak? Or if you pulled out a stitch somewhere?

Breath! Calm down. :-). You probably pulled at your incision stitches. You can't spring a leak in your new tummy by lifting a few boxes. So keep

an eye on your incisions for discharge.

Oh, and you will prob hurt more tomorrow.

First clam down, take a deep breath hopefully you have not done any harm. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE remember you have just had major surgery. Dont lift boxes, babies nothing. When you feel like lifting something ask yourself "Is this really important" Good Luck let your body adjust.

The most obvious one is a fever. Some have also described it as shoulder pain (but is often very common with LAP surgery). Good luck!

Thanks guys. You've made me feel better. I'm sure I'm fine. Over-active imagination. :/

I had a leak and my main symptom was a fever . before being admitted to the hospital and things got really bad it would range from 99 to 102. I have also had pains since and have freaked myself out that it may be happening again BUT i was told that if i don't have a fever it is probably just normal healing pains. So far, so good .just keep an eye on your temperature and even if it is low grade , go get it checked out ! I'm sure you are okay though ! Just watch for a fever please, even if it is low grade!

Definitely listen to your body (and quit doing manual labor!!) If you feel yourself getting worse then it's time to call. Fever, more intense pain, and generally feeling worse instead of better are all good reasons to call your surgeon.

I pulled a muscle in my abdoment when I was 6 weeks post op and cleared to go back to Curves. One machine did me in and I definitely overdid. The pulled muscle hurt on and off for about a week, and I avoided that particular machine for the next 6-8 weeks.

Hope it feels better soon!

Ok. I'll be checking for a temperature. I feel fine otherwise. I appreciate you all being here to calm my nerves. Everything seems scarier at night, doesn't it? and I promise, no more manual labor. For a while anyway

I picked up the tray in the hospital fully loaded, I freaked out but the Dr reassured me if I had done harm I would be doubled over. I was just hurting but it was bearable. Thank goodness for the Dr making the rounds because I was in a panic