Hi DAA, I had surgery Wed morning and the majority of my pain is coming from mylargest incision, but mine is in a different place than you describe. What I found out yesterday that made walking around sooo much better is to "hold" my belly up when I'm not sitting down. I carry a lot of weight in my belly, and when I would stand or walk, since my belly hangs down, it would "pull" on the area where my incision was. It looks absolutely ridiculous, but if I support my belly from underneath (literally - hold it up) I'm able to walk with MUCH less pain and "puling" sensation... but man, befire I ralized that yesterday, I described it as feeling like I was being pulled apart. It hurt so much.

This was my first surgery too. I cannot cough, hiccup, or laugh w/o significant pain. I can finally today get in and out of a chair without a lot of to-do, but it still hurts. I do not have any swelling at my incision sites.

I had planned to return to work Monday, but think I was a little optimistic. Not so much a pain factor b/c I have an office job, but my incisions are placed such that they would interfere with bra/pants.

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Editing to add - don't be worried by our difference in pain/symptoms. I have a very high pain tolerance.

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-175 pounds
Banded March 1, 2006