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Gastric sleeve and hernia repair



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I had the gastric sleeve and hiatal hernia repair on June 6th. I am still having pretty bad incisional pain at the larger incisional site. I also have pain in my chest after I swallow liquids or food, almost as if it gets stuck. Kind of miserable at this point. Dr says I'm progressing as expected and gave me a return to work date of July 10th. I don't feel as if I will be ready by then, I can't even stand up straight. It feels as though my insides are being pulled apart. At almost 3 weeks post op, I do am still going through pain and discomfort. i walk with one hand applying pressure at the large incision site to try to reduce the pain i feel. Has anyone else had these experiences and when does it go away?

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I had the same surgery on June 5th. I have no pain at any of my incision site and went back to work after a week but I'm a secretary.. I do however have the pain in my chest from swallowing. When speaking to my surgeon at post op, he explained that it comes from the hiatal repair. It seems to be getting better. Take smaller bites and chew well. Sip liquids slowly as it helps. Good luck ;)

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I had surgery May 31. Sleeve and hiatal hernia repair also. The site just above my umbilicus is still sore/ tender. I also have a spot on each side and just below that incision that the muscles feel so sore, I can't bend over and it hurts there when I try to get up from laying or sitting. I still feel that stabbing when I eat and drink. I do feel better than a week ago and two weeks ago, but definitely not normal yet. Yesterday in church just standing to sing a few songs I broke out in a sweat and felt like I was going to pass out and had to sit down. At this point I can't imagine working 12 hr shifts on a busy med surg floor. Before surgery, I was given even the ok to return to work July 13, which is the date of my post op appointment. I figure if in not feeling better by then, I'll ask if I could possibly extend it one more week, I don't know if they would, but its worth a try. But you're not alone in still feeling cruddy.

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@hmills653

Thank you so much for your post. I too am a nurse in a procedure area. I can't see myself being able to push patients to recovery with all this pain. Everyone keeps telling me it will get better but I haven't noticed a difference yet. That muscle area hurts so bad that I can hardly move or stand. I feel like my insides are being pulled at from the outside of my body. My return to work date is july 10th but my second follow-up date is not until july 21st. I think I will call them.

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I had the sleeve, a hernia repair and my gall bladder removed at the same time ... March 13... I have not experienced any incisional pain or difficulty swallowing. However, everyone is different. Your surgeon is most likely correct and it might not be uncommon for what you are experiencing to happen. I am sure it will get better

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I had the same on 6/1. I had no incision pain, took no pain meds.
Gas and nausea were my biggest issues. Once the gas dissipated, I and I started drinking my shakes, I felt completely normal. I notice I get that chest pain, stuck feeling, if I take a gulp of liquid or swallow too much food at once. That's my "slow down" reminder


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