How painful is the surgery?

[AK37 26]

I am curious, how painful is the vertical sleeve surgery? I had my gallbladder removed laparoscopically 5 years ago. That's the only major surgery I've had. I've read that the VSG surgery complication rate is similar to gallbladder removal surgery, but I don't know how the pain compares. I am pain med resistant and had a lot of pain the 2 weeks following my gallbladder removal. I assume the VSG surgery is more painful because they are removing a larger portion of your body, and the recovery is probably harder and longer with your stomach healing while being in use. This won't deter me. I was miserable with pain after my gallbladder removal, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat knowing how much better I feel. I just want to be prepared. If anyone has had their gallbladder removed, and the VSG please tell me how the surgeries compare.

[Creekimp13 5,841]

Man.....medical experiences are just too different to tell much.

I had my gallbladder out ages ago. Did it laparoscopically, outpatient. Had surgery at 8am and was home on the couch eating a Subway turkey sandwich at 1pm. Almost no pain, felt great, piece of cake. No pain meds after. Back to work in three days.

My sleeve surgery was a breeze, too. Was up walking the halls within hours of my surgery. Walked literally miles the same day as surgery...slowly and carefully...but it made me feel better, so I kept walking. Asked for as few pain meds as they'd allow. (I think I had a shot of narcotics in recovery, and another one before bed...but I opted out of a LOT of pain meds that were offered because I simple felt comfortable and wanted to poop someday)

Went home the next day. Never did any pain meds except regular Tylenol for a few days.

Different people have such different experience.

I will say my C-section was much worse than sleeve. That one slowed me up for a few days.

Edited June 23, 2018 by Creekimp13

[Creekimp13 5,841]

Tip: if you get the option of taking Emend (an anti-nausea drug that costs about a hundred bucks for the one pill you take)...it's worth every penny. I had no nausea. None at all. Emend is usually used for people taking chemotherapy. It's AMAZING at controlling nausea.

[911lifer 2]

I am 2 days post op and have had very little pain. I only took the narcotics on day 1 because I was having horrible back pain from the position I was in during surgery. I came home today and took one dose of Tylenol for some mild pain this afternoon. I didn’t have any gas pain either. I’ve eaten tiny quantities of soft foods today without issue.