So I had surgery yesterday and couldn't believe how easy and almost pain free it was...until they sent me home and took me off of the morphine drip. Holy Cow do I feel a lot of pain now, especially the left side of my abdomen. Can someone give me an idea on the actual pain recovery time? Or at least what I can expect. Thanks.

My BFF had her surgery in a Friday, went home Saturday, had liquid pain meds and was "at work" on Monday. Granted, she works from home, but my impression is that she was able to work without being "under the influence." I hope that is a real assessment Since I'm basing my time off from work on her recovery... Planning to work from home myself 4 days post-op. I keep telling myself the worst part of returning to work is the commute.

Hi there! I had my surgery on 7/6 and I had a miserable recovery. I totally thought it was going to be easy peezy walk in the park. Boy was I wrong! I too had awful pain on my left side where they removed the drain, and ALL of my incisions were bothering me. I had horrible gas pains and my entire body was sore. By day 4 I was "Mobil" but it took me about a week to feel ok to really do anything. The 2nd week was waaaaaay better. Still a little sore but nothing like the first week. Now I'm in week 3 and I am pretty much pain free. Still a little bit sore but only if I move wrong or over extend myself. I hope you start to feel better!

Oh... And walk as much as you possibly my can because that is what's really going to make you feel better (even if it feels like hell between steps)

I was sleeved as an outpatient. The first 3 days I took my pain meds but the pain I felt came more from the hernia repair than the sleeve. I felt okay enough to stop the pain meds day 3 and was driving day 5. Everyone is different so your journey may be a completely different story. Good luck!

Mine took about 1 week. It was worse when I got home so they upped my pain med.

I'm 4 days out and feel so much better. I still have the muscle pain but don't even need pain meds for it anymore.

Thanks everyone. I will just push through. It seems by the end of week 1 most people are feeling much better.

The first few days are the worst! I couldn't even walk straight at times because I was in so much pain. I think after a week and some change you'll feel better! I literally went clubbing 10 days after surgery ????

Edited July 22, 201511 yr by cuchas

The first few days are tough, but it will get better! Everyone experiences different levels of pain and nausea, but thankfully they can be controlled by meds. If you are still in pain after taking your meds, call your doctor and see if he will give you something stronger. They had a hard time getting my nausea under control and all of the dry heaving caused pain in my abdomen so I can sympathize! But once again... It will get better!

I too was sleeved yesterday and remain in. The hospital now. Pain Ned's are wonderful! Gas is just annoying, and I'm sleepy. I'm dreading being disconnected from my meds as well as the 1.5 hour drive home either today or Thursday.

@naturegirl: I really felt like a million bucks in the hospital. I felt mild discomfort at the most. Imagine my shock when I was taken off the IV pain meds and I was in a ton of pain! But the answers here are so helpful. It looks like the first week is tough and then we will start to feel better. Good luck in your recovery.

I am 2 wks post op, I work from home, my surgery went great, first 2 days at home I feel fantastic, the 3rd day I strained & popped the 2 stitches inside my ab wall, my pain was extreme after that, hurt to move at all, yesterday & today have been a lot better for me, last night was my first night no pain meds. Still no regrets, no pain NO gain!!! It will pass, remember it's normal & rest, I kept an ice pack on the left side that actually helped more than the meds. Good luck to you.

It seems days 2 & 3 are the worst...you're home and completely off IV meds and anesthesia and the swelling is at its worse. I can't sleep in my bed - so I "made" a hospital- like bed on the couch and used a heating pad. I had a bad night but it's looking up today.

I think the most difficult thing is that you're dealing with several types of pain...incision pain, gas pain, gastric pain, and arm and shoulder pain. Meds only help with some of that; the rest has to run its course.

I made a huge mistake yesterday when I accidentally swallowed my gum!!! Before I wouldn't think anything of it but I'm sure that caused a lot of gastric pain yesterday. I think it might have moved on finally....

Day 2 and 3 were awful. From day 4 on I felt pretty good. I went back to work (part-time, desk job) on day 6 and I wish I would have waited a little longer. One of my incisions ended up opening from the pressure/friction of my waistband and bled all over.

I had to spend 2 nights in the hospital - my surgeon makes all his sleeve and gastric bypass patients spend 2 nights.

I had 2 shots of morphine the first day. The 2nd day I had a major headache and they gave me liquid Vicodan. I walked, walked, walked and I didn't take any other pain meds.

I was walking 10-15 minutes out of every hour and got rid of the gas pretty quickly that way.

I work from home and I still took off a full week and worked about 5 hours a day the 2nd week. I was totally exhausted.

Hope you are feeling better soon!