Hi. I am 5 days post op and still in a lot of pain. I have been sleeping in the recliner all week because the pain of trying to get in the bed is unbearable. I called my surgeons office yesterday and they suggested I try a heating pad. The medicine, heating pad all works for a while but the pain comes back. I am not having any other issues, just the pain. Is this normal for the sleeve. I expected some pain, but not this much! I am sweating with pain when I try to walk my hallway each day. I'm afraid of getting stiff or blood clots so I have been trying to walk every two hours as directed. Yesterday I couldn't do it. This morning I couldn't do it. Should I just relax and let my body heal? I don't want to get discouraged, because I have lost 9 lbs in 5 days.

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Do you have an abdominal binder?.....the kind they give women after c-sections?.....If you don't have one, get yourself one. You can get them at some drug stores, Babies R Us, or order online at Amazon...........It will help!

I know it hurts, but it's important to keep walking. I hope you feel better soon!

Do it feels like your stomach is pulling. Bcus if so that is only becus you are losing weight and need to support your mid section area with a pillow or a old time church under garment lol . I feel it helps a lot

Yes, it feels like pulling. I will send my daughter out today to find me something to help with support. I have a waist trainer but I was afraid it would be too tight. Thanks for the responses. This is ver good info.

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You want it to be be pretty tight......but I know for me it felt better on my lower abdomen rather than higher on my waist.....Good luck to you and let us know if it helps when your daughter finds you one.

I would say, "no" to a waist trainer---too too tight.

If your team suggest a heating pad, then go with that AND walk.

I know it's difficult, but you must get up and move. It's hard for you to believe right now, but walking will help.

Historically, the surgical pain will peak around the 3rd day post-op. That is when your body is finally fully "awake" after general anesthesia. So, friend you are over that hump and heading down the straight away!

Keep moving and keep remembering that the pain will lessen AND having your WLS will be soooo worthwhile.

Keep posting and letting us know how your journey is going. I hope it will be a joyful one for you!

Ok- I got the surgery band and it does provide some relief!! Thank goodness!! Thanks for the suggestions!!!

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I'm so happy it is helping you!!! I know it helped me. It will get better each day. I wish you the best. Please continue to post and ask any questions you have.

Thanks, I feel I should also mention that I have a lot of stomach fat. So I'm sure that has some bearings on it as well. Just wondering how long it's going to take for my stomach to heal.

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I think everyone is different with healing times. For me once I got home from the hospital I was only taking over the counter pain meds......I still had pain when I'd first stand up or move the wrong way ......but at about 2 weeks out I'd say it was all a lot better.

I had more trouble with just sort of feeling lousy, sort of weak and sickly feeling.....and that didn't get better until I was able to start eating real food..........Once I started the pureed stage I started quickly feeling my normal self again.

Just hang in there and make sure you keep moving. the more you walk the faster your will heal!!!

Hi everyone, I landed myself in the ER on Saturday because I could no longer stand the pain. I feel it's only fair for me to mention that I never take pain meds, but this surgery has forced me to think differently. Per the ER doc my incision and sleeve look fine but I did have a urinary tract infection. Which I'm told is pretty painful, but my pain continues to come from my lower right side (where they pulled my stomach out). I am reading all of the comments where people are getting off their pain meds, but honestly I can't function without them. It is the only way that I can walk, take a shower, or even sit on the toilet. I am very concerned, because as I said normally I can push through pain. It has not been the case with this procedure. Today, I spent most of my time regretting my decision. I don't feel like I' going to be able to go back to work next week. I cannot walk without being on pain meds. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this? And if anyone has been out of work 4 weeks for recovery? I feel I need more time.....and my thoughts were originally to stay out one week.

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I am one week out today and I still have pain on my right side as well. It is painful to get out of bed and from lying on the couch. I can get up from sitting just fine. The pain is more than I thought as well.

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I am 7 days post op today as well. I can get up from sitting, but there is excruciating pain on my right side when I do as if I'm stretching something. I am hoping that this week will get better. How long are you planning on being out of work? I have no one doing my job while I'm out so its stressful to think about my return as well.

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I am 7 days post op today as well. I can get up from sitting, but there is excruciating pain on my right side when I do as if I'm stretching something. I am hoping that this week will get better. How long are you planning on being out of work? I have no one doing my job while I'm out so its stressful to think about my return as well.

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I'm out for 3 weeks. Scheduled to go back July 5.

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Same here, I just didn't expect to use the entire time. Oh well, it is what it is. Thanks for sharing. My HW was 250, pre op was 238, current wait 229. So I know the surgery is working. Just have to stay positive. Thanks again

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I must have a lower tolerance for pain than a lot I've seen on this forum because I was using my pain meds (liquid oxycodone) around the clock every day for over a week after my surgery, and every once in a while after that for another week. I actually had to get a refill. I wish I was one of the ones who left the hospital and only took Tylenol. I also had a hiatal hernia repair when I had my sleeve, so I don't know if that caused more pain than normal. Getting up and down was the worst. Once I was standing or lying down I was usually okay (as long as I didn't bend or twist). Sitting upright was also painful after a few minutes unless I was reclining. Pressing a pillow to my stomach to brace it helped.

So don't feel bad, you aren't alone. And it does get better. My doctor told me that unless you have a history with narcotic addiction to not feel bad about needing to use the pain meds, that's why they give them to us. Pain is an individual thing. Some people are just more sensitive to it.

Also, it's better to take the meds regularly and keep the pain down. When you wait to take them until the pain is bad, they aren't as effective.

BTW, I am 2 months out now, and feeling amazing. The pain is already a distant memory. Stay strong, you are going through the worst of it now, and then things just get better.