I'm 1 week pre-op. Now that I'm on the home stretch little worried are popping into my head. I know pain is a very subjective thing, but what was your experience like? I will have pain management in the hospital, but after all I willow allowed is Tylenol. I have had abdominal laparoscopic surgeries in the past (gallbladder removal) and it was pretty bad for about 5 days and that was on narcotic pain medication. Generally I'd say I'm not too afraid of pain, but I'm a little nervous about this one.

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Why only Tylenol?

my surgeon thinks that ultimately narcotic pain relievers impede the healing process of the bowel, and digestive system as a whole.

My surgery was on the 20th. The biggest pain I'm experiencing is gas. The incisions are sensitive and hurt but aren't too bad. And I have a very very low threshold for pain. I held off a lot on the pain meds once they took me off the iv and I had to drink them because they made me sooo nauseous. I'm taking them a bit better at home but still very minimally. I think I would be ok w just Tylenol. I'm just taking the narcotics because I can I guess.

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You were not given narcotics?

I was given both narcotic and tylenol. While in the hospital I did have A lOt of pain so I was given narcotic pain med every 4 hours. The problem was 3 hours later I was in pain again. So my doc said I could have the med every 3 hours, but my nurse advised me to not do this because narcotics make everything in your guy slow down gas for example. She said it becomes much harder to pass gas while on narcotics and also the healing would slow down. I was also advised by her to walk walk walk. Walking improves healing and moves gasses so its easier to let them out.

I came home on day three and used narcotics every 4 hours for 2 days and tylenol every 6 hours. I even wrote down the times. I started limiting the narcotic intake and only took the crushed pill to take naps or sleep at night ( I move alot when sleeping ouch!) still i kept taking tylenol every 6 hours. About 4 days ago I stopped taking tylenol also. I only take tylenol now when i'm going for a walk or when I need it. And for sleep I still use the narcotic because my incisions hurt when moving. I'll see if I can change to tylenol for sleep soon.

I've walked a lot since day 1 which has helped with pain and the healing process.

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I haven't had surgery yet, but they went over pain management at my pre op visit. No narcotics at home????

My problem is in my back. I woke up from anesthesia with a horrible lower back pain. Is being a week after and still have pain. Is that could be normal? I am using a massager, hot bathtub Water, bengay and nothing is helping me. Is worst than the discomfort in by belly.

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The pain is mostly from the gas they used to expand abdomen during surgery. Moving around is really the only thing that helps. Maybe some heat from a heating pad too.

I didn't think about that. Thanks Kristen! I am walking but the pain is bad! Is like a burning sensation!

But now I can understand more!

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Demand narcotics. That is absurd. There is no reason you should live in pain. It could just land you in the hospital. While it can cause constipation, you just have to manage it and not stay on them forever. The first 5 days can be pretty rough. Some people are able to go without the meds, but better to have them and not use them than to land in the ER with uncontrolled pain.

I'm going to be honest with you at the beginning when they wake you up you will be in really bad pain. I remember they would ask me things and all I could say was "IM IN PAIN IM IN PAIN AAAAH IT HURTS"

They give you pain med through IV until your able to tolerate Water, broth ect.

Be strong pain does get better just follow the nurses's and doctor's instructions. Specially walking it helps move gas quicker. So does sitting. When you feel gas pain sit down or walk if you can instead of laying down.

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I had mine done on the 20th too. In my head I'm starving to death. The Protein shakes are tasting bad to me. I am not able to get them down due to grossing me out. The chewable Vitamins are the worst. I can hardly stomach them. I've tried the chicken broth and chicken injury. I liked it for a couple hours. Now, I can't stand that either.

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But I am taking 1 or 2 pain pills a day. Don't do without them, there's no reason in the world to do that.

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Well i had my sleeve 6 dats from now, the only pain i had is the first 3 hours after the surgery, am now out having my normal life without any pain killer even, already lost 7 kg.

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