Post surgery pain management tips needed

[Lauren23 35]

I had lapband in 2006 hence my name saying "23." I will be 32 soon! I had my lapband removed last Monday and am on day 5 of recovery. Surgeon had a lot of trouble getting my old style band out that was deeply sutured in and some bleeding during surgery. Otherwise, things have gone well except pain management. Pain around my port removal site is very severe and shoots through my back. I am alternating liquid Tylenol 3 and liquid hydrocodone with Tylenol. I am running out of meds already. I am using a pillow to abdomen, walking around the house, gas x, alternate sitting up and lying down, tolerating liquids okay (except moms broth of homemade Soup which was too fatty.) Can anyone recommend any other tips, tricks or words of encouragement that will help me get through this pain? I also experienced some unexpected anxiety and depression post surgery which seems to be better now. Thank you!

[mspurty29 16]

I had my lapband removed and bypass done 3 days ago. The pain from the port site is horrible. I wear the abdominal binder and it helps a lot.

[Lauren23 35]

I bought the abdominal binder online. Thanks! I look forward to trying it.

[DMoon 2]

Applying moist heat helped me. Fill a sock with rice and tie a knot at the top. Put it in the microwave a few minutes until warm and apply to the site. It seemed to help ease the paint a bit. That port removal site is the worst, felt like shooting pains every time I moved.

[Lauren23 35]

Thanks guys! I'm checking with my nurse on both of these things before I use them bc my dr seems really conservative but I hope to start using both soon.

[tnkrbell1984 0]

I had my lap band done in May 2011 at the time I weighed 281 lbs. I was able to get down to 230 within 6 months but then just stalled out. In 2013 I got pregnant and had my daughter 2/25/15 but after having her I could not get back under 250. (I had extreme port pain the last few months of my pregnancy I think from my growing belly and stuff, some days I wanted to cut it out myself because it hurt so bad) So, I decided to have it converted to gastric bypass. I went into it like it was no big deal and thought I would be fine because I didn't have much pain when I had the band put in. But, on 3/19/15 I woke up in recovery is the worst pain on my left side where the port was. It's now been 6 days and I still hurt so bad. My right side doesn't hurt at all it's just the left. Has anyone else had the same problem if so how long did your pain last. It's making taking care of a 1 yr old who doesn't walk yet suck as I can't move without having sharp pain like I'm being ripped open. Oh they also had to remove my gallbladder as during pre-op testing they saw I had gallstones.

On a side note I'm so glad I found this forum because I don't know anyone that has had revision surgery to know what is normal.

[Golflady 19]

My experience with pain on left side was the pain actually where they do most the work doing the bypass. Heat was used in hospital and helped at home. Pain did last for about 10 days... Be sure you do not pick up something too heavy for at least 6 weeks - 15 pounds max. Or there is no infection (fever). Hang in there!

[pioneer1 0]

Now I am getting scared. I will have revision surgery this summer. I was banded in 09 and lost 75# and had trouble since '10. Gained 30#back. I am allegic to codine so oxidcodone or hydrocodone is out of the question. I know my port is going to be a problem. Last time I had a fill there was so much scare tissue that it was hard to get a needle in. I look forward to starting a new but not the pain. Here's to a new start and lost weight. Good luck and keep us posted,

[Dibaby44 63]

Im getting scared too....im in for insurance approval for revsion from band to bypass. Im wondering now how long people stayed off work. I am so anxious to get this band out

[ivytree56 3]

I'm 3 weeks out after having revision surgery from lapband to gastric bypass. I'm finally feeling better, but still quite fatigued. Surgery lasted over 5 hours -not due to complications, but just getting lapband out after 6 years. Definitely alot more intense than I anticipated - I thought 2 weeks off of work would be more than enough - now I'm wondering if 4 will be enough. I too had alot of pain on my left side - finally feel that is healing and no pain when reaching or bending. My biggest issue is just being tired - getting a shower and running one errand is enough to bring me home for a 2 hour nap! It is getting better everyday -just slower than I had hoped. I was in hospital for 4 days - glad they kept me that long, as I had such a hard time getting out of bed. I'm in pureed food world and its going ok - eating cream of wheat, yogurt, creamed Soups, scrambled eggs, canned carrots - trying to add one new thing each day. So far I'm down 28 pounds! I'm happy to answer any questions you might have and share my experience thus far!