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LOTS of post-op pain

This is day 5 of this surgery extravaganza (and it's my birthday = lame). I'm sure I'll eventually be happy about it, but the pain was and is super crappy.

The first 2 days were overwhelming. My brain was incapable of dealing with any details. My mom needed help googling where the CVS is located and I just couldn't. The act of leaning over and typing was too much to handle. And the pain was deep and intense. I know why Frankenstein's monster was such a jerk. Surgery just doesn't bring out your friendly side.

The last 3 days have been improved, especially in my brain. Now I can feel mostly normal as long as I'm on a couple pills and in the correct position, sitting up in bed. Not my favorite sleeping position and it's often stiff, but I'm just grateful that there is a position. Moving is still a horrible idea. Leaning over is impossible. Waking up without meds in my system is just a rude way to great the day.

No one seems to complain about this much pain. Am I out of the ordinary? I wasn't able to drink the liquid pain meds without vomiting, so maybe it's the crushed pills that are inadequate.

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Nope! You are right! I was popping pain meds the first two weeks like candy. After I had my drain out I was all good. I don't know if it was a combination of the two or what, but it was not a walk in the park. I was out of work for 6 weeks, and thank goodness I had the time to recover!! Please don't feel like you are alone. I was not one of those who recovered and was back to work in 3-4 days :). Everyone is different, but you will hopefully start feeling better after your first two weeks.

Pain thresh holds vary. I had no pain at all. Just a little soreness. I would recommend walking as much as you can. It help push the gas out which is often the source of much of the pain.

I was hurting like Hell for the 1st 7 or 8 days. But I think my pain was a combination of getting the hiccups (that stretched my staple line) and the 2 hour car ride home.

The liquid pain meds made me gag so much I just stopped taking them. I didn't do much of anything other than try to find a comfortable position to relax during that time.

But on day 9, I crossed some kind of turning point. The pain receded to a minimum and I was able to get out and drive. I went back to work feeling okay on day 11. No pain meds needed. I kept wearing the elastic belly support for the rest of the month, just to be safe.

Here's to a new life. Keep moving forward, one step at a time. Make the right decisions, lean on the right people. Live for the right goal. I believe in you. Your time is now!

Most people report little pain and quick recovery. Mine diminished gradually over 2 - 3 weeks. We each heal differently. Please let your Dr know you're hurting.

Peace

@@KansasSapien, the pills should be just as effective as the liquid. If you are having uncomfortable pain despite the meds, call your doctor. You may be experiencing a complication. I ended up with a lacerated spleen and knowing what was wrong enabled me to avoid doing things that would make it worse. Also got different pain meds to help. Good luck.

Edited by Elizabeth21

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