Anyone not take pain meds after surgery? (this is a constipation thread)

[NMJG 1,266]

I've had the (not) pleasure of several surgeries and hospital stays, and I have found that pain meds like vicodin, morphine, etc. make me very, very constipated. After my car accident in 2006 the Constipation was so bad, I stopped the pain meds and went cold turkey and the constipation stopped. I have read a lot about people having terrible constipation after their VSG surgery and I'm thinking I will just suffer through the pain rather than subject myself to that again, given that my tummy is already going to be pretty unhappy after surgery. Please share your experience. Thanks.

[rewind 39]

I did not take any pain meds after getting home from the hospital. This was really because I was not in any pain and didn't need them.

And remember,you will not likely not have a bowel movement for several days as 'no food in....nothing out'....

It was a good week for me, and then any stools are very very soft or even almost liquid, as you are only taking in liquids.

[JessicaAnn 564]

I've had the (not) pleasure of several surgeries and hospital stays' date=' and I have found that pain meds like vicodin, morphine, etc. make me very, very constipated. After my car accident in 2006 the Constipation was so bad, I stopped the pain meds and went cold turkey and the constipation stopped. I have read a lot about people having terrible constipation after their VSG surgery and I'm thinking I will just suffer through the pain rather than subject myself to that again, given that my tummy is already going to be pretty unhappy after surgery. Please share your experience. Thanks.[/quote']

I'm pre op, but after my csection I didn't poop for 10 days because of pain meds! I'm hoping pain isn't bad so I don't have to take the meds for long

[FeeIsMe2 508]

I think I took them for 2 or 3 days tops, I just hate the way pain meds make you feel and of course I really hate how they stop all bathroom activity!!

[jmarie 71]

I asked for a non narcotic pain killer. My Dr prescribed me tramadol or something like that. I've only taken it twice. Haven't had a bowel movement but I don't feel the need to have one either. liquids in, liquids out...

[NMJG 1,266]

Thanks folks, this is encouraging. Looks like I'm not the only one who hates narcotic painkillers.

[danelle235 79]

I didn't take pain meds because they were making me vomit, and I really had very little pain. It was more 'discomfort' on the first day (like I'd been punched in the gut) but I didn't take anything after the first day. I was given ketalorac (i dont think its a narcotic??) to take home 10mg and 30mg, but the boxes are still full.

[Ms.AntiBand 2,984]

I arranged ahead of time for no post-op pain meds of any kind. I find they hinder a quicker recovery time and YES.. They are a huge factor in the awful Constipation others have. I had no constipation issue or diarrhea either.

[Alyjourneys 117]

I hate them too, however I was in so much pain from NG tube that I asked for them. Now that they took the tube out today , I'm good to go. No abdominal pain so far. I'm 2 days post op.

[patiscuba 28]

I refused all pain meds except iv tylenol. Just plain tylenol. Besides the sorness of sitting up, i did not need any, pain was not a big issue for me thank God, as pain meds make me very nauseous.

[AmandaRaeLeo 2,145]

The day after my surgery I was pain med free.

[Carol1560 45]

I am with you, NO PAIN MEDS, no meds of any kind after discharge.

AND no Constipation

[AuntB 19]

I can't say that I was always 100% comfortable but I was never in enough pain to need pain meds.

[Mighty Mo 6]

I refused to take any pain medications, I wanted to let my body heal naturally and not rely on Vicodin. The only medications I'm taking are benicar /hct for my hypertension and Prilosec. I feel very good, thankfully.

[HatheryOnHerWay 603]

I would just barf up the liquid Vicodin anyway, so i stopped taking it after the first failed attempt. Children's Tylenol went down better, and worked just fine.

I has surgery Wednesday, and my first BM today. It was pretty horrifying. Haha