Pain on left side, 13 days post-op

[Summit105 0]

Hi, my husband had gastric bypass surgery on June 26. Even though it was done laparoscopically, the surgeon left a two inch incision open on his left side. We have been changing the dressing, etc. and yesterday he had his 10 day post-op appointment. She is sending out a home health nurse finally to help us with the wound because she says it should be packed and changed daily (we were just covering it; nobody told us anything about packing it when he left the hospital!).

Anyway for the past two days he is having bad cramping pain on the left side, under the incision. The doctor said it was normal, but he's hurting pretty bad. We had to get more narcotic medicine so he could have some relief. My question is, is this kind of pain normal nearly two weeks after surgery? What is it, and will it get better? He does not have infection according to the surgeon, and he is getting enough Fluid and Protein drinks are going down ok; he has had bowel movements, all else is well except this bad cramping pain.

We are going to ask the home health nurse when she gets here but just wondered if anyone else had been through something like this. Also we can't understand why the surgeon left this one wound open; we weren't warned about that and were shocked afterward. >:-( Any input, we would be extremely grateful.

[latido 178]

I wasn't left with an incision like that, but I'm on day 13 too. The only pain I still have is on my left side. I was so concerned that I kept calling the doctor's... and wondered if it could even be a new hernia. I was just told that left-side pain is normal for a long while. I don't know what to say other than to constantly clutch a large pillow to 'cushion the blow' of breathing, moving, coughing, sneezing, laughing... I still can't get in and out of bed without clutching a pillow.

[Chelly 364]

I've never heard of anyone having an open incision like that.

A lot of people don't have pain like your husband is having two weeks out.

Question the nurse when she comes with all your concerns.

If it doesn't improve I personally would bug the surgeon about it.

I hope he feels better soon.

[carrion98 3]

I am 2 weeks post op and am a RN. I have had a lot of pain to left side also I wound up having infection that had to be aspirated and then today more drainage. The left side is where they move different instruments in amd out along with if his surgeon removes a piece of intestine.sonthis is why that side will hurt more. I did a lot of reading and preparing but never thought of an abscess would make my pain to that area so bad. Tell him rest don't over do it and follow doctor orders it will get better.

[latido 178]

Last night I finally went out for the first time, and was to play a game with some friends. We laughed so so hard, for so many hours. I did clutch a pillow the entire time, but boy am I sore there. It feels like I delivered a cow between two of the incisions. Two of them had WLS and assured me that I will NOT pop a staple from laughing. Scary stuff.