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

Comparison: VSG to C section?



Recommended Posts

I thought they were pretty comparable. I didn't have any complications but it wasn't a walk in the park either. I did not have any drains. I am sure that must add to the pain and healing. I do wish I would have taken more than one week off to recover. The doctor said 1-2 and I had a friend who was fine after 5 days so I thought I would be so prepare for the worst and be pleasantly surprised.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I would say c-sec was worse. In both cases the more you walk after the better it is.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I felt the sleeve was tougher recovery. Not sure if it was due to my age or the lack of food you can consume after the sleeve. With that being said, neither was horrible & I obviously lived through both! & in the end both were SO worth it!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You can say that you had a different experience than what you were expecting, but please do not call us liars, or f-ing liars. You can say that your doctor dropped the ball on pain management. Many of us seriously do not have that much of an issue with post op pain.

The one thing that gets me about the pain that I hear some do complain about, is that ridiculously painful shoulder gas from trapped CO2 in the abdominal cavity. Pre-op, I asked my surgeon about pain management and specifically what he does about the shoulder gas. He said that he extracts as much as possible. Why can't everyone's surgeon do that? I had no problem whatsoever with any shoulder gas.

The only real pain I had to overcome was in just being cautious with my largest incision for the first few days. I only took hydrocone for three days post-op and that was sufficient enough to be comfortable. And yes, I have had two c-sections. Compared to that and other surgeries, my sleeve was the easiest of all. I have had more aggravating pain from the dentist.

I am sorry that your surgeon did you a diservice. Even though we all have different tolerance for pain, your experience definitely could have been better. But please, please do not call the good people here on the forum "liars". You asked for our opinion of our own recovery, and that is what you got. An uncomplicated bariatric surgery does not necessarily have to be miserable.

To the original poster: address pain management with your surgeon before you get to the hospital. Some of what folks go through can easily be avoided.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I thought they were pretty comparable. I didn't have any complications but it wasn't a walk in the park either. I did not have any drains. I am sure that must add to the pain and healing. I do wish I would have taken more than one week off to recover. The doctor said 1-2 and I had a friend who was fine after 5 days so I thought I would be so prepare for the worst and be pleasantly surprised.

Nope. I had a drain and was up and walking in recovery. In fact I had very little pain. I didn't use any pain meds once I came too in recovery. I simply did not hurt.

You can say that you had a different experience than what you were expecting, but please do not call us liars, or f-ing liars. You can say that your doctor dropped the ball on pain management. Many of us seriously do not have that much of an issue with post op pain.

The one thing that gets me about the pain that I hear some do complain about, is that ridiculously painful shoulder gas from trapped CO2 in the abdominal cavity. Pre-op, I asked my surgeon about pain management and specifically what he does about the shoulder gas. He said that he extracts as much as possible. Why can't everyone's surgeon do that? I had no problem whatsoever with any shoulder gas.

......

I think every surgeon tries to remove all the CO2. I had no gas pains. Not single one. I did need any narcotics for pain or nausea.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I think the recovery from the sleeve was worse than my c section. I didn't have any complications with my c section but with my appendectomy and this surgery I had to get re opened due to infection with the appendectomy and a hematoma with this one. So to me from worse to not so bad appendectomy, sleeve then c section lol

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I definitely thought the VSG was more painful. However, I really think I had better pain meds (morphine pump) after my c-section. I also was bedridden in the hospital for three miserable weeks immediately following my emergency c-section and kept quite comfortable. If I had to do my VSG surgery again, I would have requested morphine since it worked so well before. The pain level after the VSG is quite intense for 2 days. Like Elode mentioned, I was quite startled by the pain waking up right out of surgery. Although it is NOT the worst pain I've ever been in. I had rheumatic fever in 2003 during my first year teaching. Every joint in my body had extreme inflammation that eventually made its way to my heart.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

They offered me morphine and I turned it down. Simply did not need it. They also wrote me a script for dilaudid when I was discharged and I never got it filled. It just goes to show that not everyone has horrible pain. Just keep a positive attitude and you will be fine.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had complications with my C-section, an infected incision that was open for 2 months. That was rough! Sleeved on 12/23 but so far it has been very easy in comparison.

On the other hand I also had 2 knee replacement surgeries... Sleeve is a walk in the park in comparison!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The only part I can remotely think of as C-Section pain was at the largest incision site. Getting up out of bed was like, whoa!!! I've felt this pain before lol

Because it's where they had to separate the muscle. It's only for a few days then it's good. That's the only pain I had.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Well, I've never had a C-section, but a few years ago I had a tonsillectomy and it was a million times worse than my VSG!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi! I have had three C-sections plus one vaginal birth; I have four kids total. Most recently I had a laparoscopic hysterectomy (In Aug2014, Dr. took tubes, cervix, and uterus). HANDS DOWN, I would DEFINITELY say that the VSG was the easiest for me, just had the VSG on 12/31/14 so it is fresh in my mind. C-sections were hell! VSG has been quite okay for me. Please be cautioned that we all tolerate pain in different ways. Good Luck on your journey!

Edited by JaneJaneDoe

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Never had a c-section, just hysterectomy, gall bladder, and a surgery on a nerve in my hip. The VSG, for me, was by far the easiest. I've honestly had more pain from stubbing a toe. I had some gas pain and it was uncomfortable getting up from lying down, but no serious pain at all.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have had 3 c-sections with 10 lb babies each....

The first 48 hours of post op gastric wasnt comparable because the gas pain for VSG was way more uncomfortable and awful. BUT after that 48 hours life was 100% easier than c-section for me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had 2 c sections & recovered really well from both....if I didn't have newborns to take care of my recovery then would have been immediate ;)

I had a much harder time recovering from VSG...lots of nausea & having the pain higher up on my mid section caused more pain than I anticipated. It also caused a lot of acid which I did not have prior to surgery...which was very uncomfortable. I thought it'd be a piece of cake...but instead I just laid around dreaming of cake. I must add that the nausea only lasted a week & I also quit pain meds after 4 days....so it wasn't too terrible. But the pain was not at all like a c section for me. It took me a solid 2 months to feel normal again...but now at 8 months out, I believe it was the greatest gift I ever gave myself...I'd do it again in a heartbeat!

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

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 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

    ×