Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Pain After Surgery & General Questions



Recommended Posts

Hi all:

My RNY surgery date is approaching, November 13, and I am trying to prepare myself for what I should be expecting pain-wise. I have heard a lot of conflicting information when doing my research - some people say they had very little pain, some people said the pain was terrible. I was hoping to get some feedback from the message boards from people who have gone through it. I'm sure it's different for everyone since everyone has different pain tolerances. Do you get pain medication when you go home? I wasn't sure if they give that to you since your body will digest things differently.

I was also wondering what I should take to the hospital and if there is anything specific I am going to want to take with me. Again, I'm sure this will be different for everyone, but I figured I would ask.

Thanks, everyone!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my bypass a week ago today. The first day was horrible for me, and the next two to three days were very rough. By fourth day was feeling much better and able to start getting some Protein down. It's very difficult to sleep because you hurt on both sides and my back hurts after laying on it so much. I was sent home with liquid Tylenol with codeine. Honestly haven't taken it very much at all last three days. I am sure you will do fine though. I did get up and walk a lot every day and did not have ave the gas pains.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for the feedback. I'm sure everyone's experience is different, so I probably won't ever really know how it will feel until I go through it. I had my gallbladder removed two years ago, and it wasn't too bad afterward. The attacks were agony, but it just felt like I did a bunch of sit-ups afterward. I'm hoping it will be like that, crossing my fingers. Glad to hear you're doing well post-op!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had no pain from the surgery . My worst pains were a stiff neck and sore shoulder. The gas pains were pretty awful starting about 30 hours out. But I felt well enough 3 days out to walk on the beach for a few min and go to costco. Then the next day I had my follow up, and a 11 hour car ride home. No real issues, except gas. I did get pain meds, but only took 1 night, because that's what many seem to do. Best wishes!

Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The worst day was the first few days for me after that it wasn't so bad but I have a high pain tolerance and heal pretty fast. After like day 5 I was fine. I was still tired and didn't have much of an appetite but the pain wasn't even there anymore.

Everyone's experience with this is different. Who knows, you may not even have that much pain. Some people say they just have a lot of discomfort.

Hw-273
Sw-226
CW-158
GW-130
Size- 4 or 6, Small in sweats. Large in shirts... Could be a medium. depends on how it's cut or made.

Surgery Date- April 26th, 2017
RNY
"Only those who try will become" FFX

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my surgery two weeks ago and had no major problems. I had pain meds in the hospital but my pain was never over a “4” and by day two I only used liquid Tylenol, which I never needed when I got home. I did have an annoying pain on the top of my left shoulder that came and went. I was told something about it being a gas pain from being pumped with air during the surgery. That went away by day 9. Another slightly uncomfortable pain was on the my left side of my belly button where there was a small incision. It would take my breath away when I bent over, like to tie shoes or shave my legs. That too was short lived, like it went away within two minutes and that only happened 5-6 times.

All I can say is drink your sips of Water and walk. The dr told me those two things were important and it sure paid off for me!


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you, everyone, for sharing your experiences! I'm sure this will be a situation where I won't know what it will be like until I actually experience it. It's nice to hear that not everyone is in a lot of pain, though. Were you all sick and weak for the first couple of weeks afterward? My friend whose father had the surgery a few years ago said he was sick for the first few weeks.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was never sick or weak. My husband wished I didn’t feel as good as I did because I had “to do” lists for every day and I power washed our whole house 9 days after surgery! For a fat lady I have always been very physically active so I think that really helped my recovery too.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was never sick or weak. My husband wished I didn’t feel as good as I did because I had “to do” lists for every day and I power washed our whole house 9 days after surgery! For a fat lady I have always been very physically active so I think that really helped my recovery too.

Me too! Lol. I had a list and thought "now I have time to get some of this stuff done!". I did a lot of yard work, and built a storage cabinet. I wish I had taken 6 weeks off, instead of 4.....

Sent from my XT1254 using BariatricPal mobile app

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The pain seems to depend on the type of incision. But u will have gas pain so bring some gas-x strips to hospital as they help. I didn't need pain killers post op just some walking and gas-x. Good luck with the surgery!! All the best!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×