60 hours post op and still lots of pain

kevinh · 03-21-2008, 09:52 PM

My sister and I were banded the same day (Wed) and she hurts a lot too, in fact she says that this LAP-BAND® surgery is much worse than her total hip was as far as pain goes, but I hear a lot of people say they were "just uncomfortable" or that their pain was mild to moderate. Well the two of us are living one hour at a time in pretty bad pain. I would say the gas pain up in my shoulders is about equal to the pain coming from the diaphram and access port areas. I also had a hiatal hernia repaired at the same time but I do not know how much of a role that might be playing pain wise. We have been up walking around about once every 90 minutes or less, and we have no trouble drinking fluids at all. It hurts to take a deep breath or to use any ab muscles to get up or down, but even sitting still hurts like pluresy or something similar. I don't hurt as much as I did when I first got home, but when I hear about people going back to desk work 3 days post op it makes me worry a bit. When I sort of hiccup it hurts in my shoulders so bad I feel I might pass out. Any ideas on speeding up getting the co2 out of the body besides walking?
Please tell us we can expect day 3 (tomorrow) to be significantly better?

Kevin

Chrisann · 03-21-2008, 09:57 PM

I was in hell the first week after being banded, and then had complications for a few weeks afterwards. I used to sit in the recliner with my knees up to my chest with a heating pad on my abdomen and a pillow on top of the that. I also had the hernia repaired, and never even knew I had one. The gas was painful, and I couldn't get it out, not from walking, the gas x, or the heating pad. I was miserable

I took the serious pain pills at night and I was knocked out for 15 hours!! That was the only serious rest I got.

My doc had me on clear liquids for longer than most, and I couldn't get those down cleanly either, I was a mess.

But, it does eventually improve, ever so slowly. Now I am almost 3 months out and would do it all over again.

shortgal · 03-21-2008, 09:58 PM

My chest felt like an elephant was sitting on it and the left shoulder pain is normal ( and yes, hurts). I had a hernia repaired as well, maybe we get more swelling as a result?

Day four and five got better for me. I think time and movement is the best that you can do for the gas. I also tried a heating pad, helped a little.

I had very little appetite and had had to force myself to drink. I think I got a little dehydrated at the hospital. My surgery was late aft, so I had nothing to drink that whole day and then after surgery, I was only able to drink a little at a time. So it's good you are able to drink and stay hydrated.