Merry Christmas Eve everyone! I've been lurking on the forums for a while but this is my first time posting. My surgery was the 21st and I went home the next day. I've been using my incentive spirometer, walking, and getting all my liquids in. I'm curious when other people started weaning off pain meds? I'm allowed to take 30mL of Lortab every four hours but today I've been trying to stretch it to the 6 hour mark. I've also been wearing my abdominal binder pretty much non stop and it's a Godsend. Hope everyone has a merry Christmas and thanks for any insight!

Ashley

Welcome and congrats on your surgery! I think pain is different for everyone. I was on a morphine drip in the hospital and no longer took that after the first day. Although my doctor prescribed pain meds for when I got home, I didn't take any of them. I have a pretty high tolerance for pain and most of mine after surgery could be attributed to gas pain so I walked it off the best I could and tolerated it.

The important thing is to take the meds if you are in lots of pain so you are able to move around and walk. Walk as much as you can and rest in between. The first few days I walked about 5 minutes every 2 hours or so and then spent the rest of the time resting and sipping. I even had one of those adult coloring books that helped while away the hours! Anyway, You will know when your pain subsides enough to let go of the meds. Be good to yourself and let your body heal.

Again, welcome! If you have been lurking for a bit then you know how great this website can be. Feel free to roam it for answers to all kinds of stuff. I think there is a December thread for folks who had surgery in December also. I had my surgery in October and our October thread was invaluable to me as all of us went through surgery around the same time and experienced a lot of the same things.

Hello Ashley, I had surgery the same day. I am off my pain meds at home, I took only one dose. I have been walking and resting. How long do you have to do the spirometer for? I am eating a full liquid diet until 2 weeks post-op. I am doing best with yogurt, protein added cream soups and premier protein shakes. I love decaf tea, and sugar free tropical Popsicles. I feel mainly tired and I do fine with portion that are 6oz. Looking forward to our journeys together.

Hey Ashley!

I had mine on the 16th and was only on pain medication for a few days. I was taking ketorolac and didn't find it helped. The pain was all but gone 6 days later.

Thanks for the answers! The pain that I'm having doesn't seem related to my incisions so I'll probably call my dr office Monday. I don't have to use the spirometer but it seemed to help with getting abdominal muscles moving.