Pain after surgery / meds?

[AngieB]

Hello everyone! I am curious what kind of pain level you had after surgery. Should I pack some tylenol in my bag? I realize everyone has a different pain thresh hold, so I am wondering how you handled yours. Any input will be appreciated.

Thanks!

Angie

[Jodi119]

Hi there,

My doctor prescribed liquid Lortab for me and I did use it for a few days. It really helped at night when I was trying to fall asleep and could not get comfortable because of the cuts on my tummy, especially the one where the port is.

I would take it!

[fatfreeme]

Hi !

I just was banded on the 17th of March at the OCC. The only real pain i had was from gas after I left the hospital. Yes I was sore but honestly that was about it. I did have a rough day after I got home but again that was due to gas and really nothing else. Gas-X strips are a MUST!!! What helped me as far as liquids go was room temp bottled water. Cold liquids seem to hurt more than room temp or hot. I was tender to touch at the surgery sights but nothing that I couldnt handle. I did take liquid tylenol when I was home for a head ache and found it hard to drink the thick liquid. I did it because I had a head ache after about 15 minutes of small sips fo the tylenol. If you are going to the OCC there is a medication that they will give you to take upon release. I took it every evening, faithfully and it helped wonders.

I hoped this help. Good luck on your surgery. Let us all know how you are doing!

[AngieB]

Hi !

I just was banded on the 17th of March at the OCC. The only real pain i had was from gas after I left the hospital. Yes I was sore but honestly that was about it. I did have a rough day after I got home but again that was due to gas and really nothing else. Gas-X strips are a MUST!!! What helped me as far as liquids go was room temp bottled water. Cold liquids seem to hurt more than room temp or hot. I was tender to touch at the surgery sights but nothing that I couldnt handle. I did take liquid tylenol when I was home for a head ache and found it hard to drink the thick liquid. I did it because I had a head ache after about 15 minutes of small sips fo the tylenol. If you are going to the OCC there is a medication that they will give you to take upon release. I took it every evening, faithfully and it helped wonders.

I hoped this help. Good luck on your surgery. Let us all know how you are doing!

Good to know! Thanks for your reply. I have a 15mo old son, who will want to be picked up and held, so I am sure my tummy will be sore. I will have 2 full days with no baby to pick up, after that, it's back to moomy duty.

GAS-X strips good tip. I will buy some to take with me. Room temp water, noted as well. If you think of any other tips, please feel free to share!

[AngieB]

Hi there,

My doctor prescribed liquid Lortab for me and I did use it for a few days. It really helped at night when I was trying to fall asleep and could not get comfortable because of the cuts on my tummy, especially the one where the port is.

I would take it!

Jodi119 - did you get banded at the OCC?

[Lindsay]

they give you some pain killers called 'supradol'.

that lasts about a day.

i wish i had brought Motrin, or Tylenol with me.

it would have made me feel more like i was at home.

i forgot the tums at home, too.

so i went for a ride to the local pharmacy and picked up the mexican version, Melox.

it wasn't so much pain, but gas.

the plane ride home SUCKED b/c of the pressure.

i took Tylenol for a few days afterwords, just to help my recovery .. the lowest incision was the most painful, as it seemed stretch every time i moved - and i walk dogs for a living, so it was difficult for a few days.

but after i started applying polysporne on the incision sites, everything really healed up very quickly.

[Jodi119]

Jodi119 - did you get banded at the OCC?

I got banded in Las Vegas. After 7 months of waiting, my insurance decided to cover it. I was suprised how much Lortab he gave. I still have over half of it left over.

Is going to OCC that much cheaper than having it done locally?

I had gas issues too but was able to burp so it passed with not being too bad. Definitely take shorts walks as it sure did help me.

[AngieB]

they give you some pain killers called 'supradol'.

that lasts about a day.

i wish i had brought Motrin, or Tylenol with me.

it would have made me feel more like i was at home.

i forgot the tums at home, too.

so i went for a ride to the local pharmacy and picked up the mexican version, Melox.

it wasn't so much pain, but gas.

the plane ride home SUCKED b/c of the pressure.

i took Tylenol for a few days afterwords, just to help my recovery .. the lowest incision was the most painful, as it seemed stretch every time i moved - and i walk dogs for a living, so it was difficult for a few days.

but after i started applying polysporne on the incision sites, everything really healed up very quickly.

Tums? For the gas or heartburn? I'll add those to my list as well. Is polyspone like triple antibiotic?

I am taking a total of 3 days off work. I fly to San Diego on a Thurs (1) Have Surgery on Fri (2) Fly back home on Sunday and have Monday (3) off. In your opinion, is that realistic? I have a desk job, with my own office.

I

[AngieB]

I got banded in Las Vegas. After 7 months of waiting, my insurance decided to cover it. I was suprised how much Lortab he gave. I still have over half of it left over.

Is going to OCC that much cheaper than having it done locally?

I had gas issues too but was able to burp so it passed with not being too bad. Definitely take shorts walks as it sure did help me.

Yes, Jodi - for me it is. The procedure would cost me 13 grand, and that did not include hopsital stay, and other Dr.'s fees. Yikes! With Dr. Oritz, I am paying $7300 plus flight expense. Over all, I am saving over 1/2 the cost. My insurance will not cover labband.

Thanks for adding me to your friends! I look forward to getting to know you. :-h

[Jodi119]

Wow...that is a big price difference. Now I see why so many people on here go there. I am lucky that insurance covered mine.

I too have an office job but I took a week off....mainly because I have been with my company forever and have a ton of sick time. My boss was very supportive. My mom was here from Alabama up until today so I wanted to spend time with her too. Now I have to make my own soup!

My tummy does get sore when I am sitting at my desk at home. Wear clothes that are loose around your waiste. I go back to work on Monday. I will let you know how I do sitting at my desk. I'm an Accountant but I will make myself get up and walk around. I'm sure I will get lots of "your back" and "where did you go?". I only told a few people at work but all my family and friends knew about this.

[Lindsay]

Tums? For the gas or heartburn? I'll add those to my list as well. Is polyspone like triple antibiotic?

I am taking a total of 3 days off work. I fly to San Diego on a Thurs (1) Have Surgery on Fri (2) Fly back home on Sunday and have Monday (3) off. In your opinion, is that realistic? I have a desk job, with my own office.

The Tums will help with everything!

Gas X strips are apparently fine too, but are pricey.

I didn't have heartburn, just the gas. So whatever you pick, just don't forget it at home, like i did!

You'll just be gassy after wards, but walking around (as mentioned above) works like a charm, just to get things going.

My trip was LOOONG.

It was a 9+/- hr flight, plus a 4 hour DRIVE to/from the airport, as I flew out of Buffalo (I'm from Toronto).

It was the flights that I had that killed me. I also had a flight transfer in Chicago, which really extended my trip.

The pressure from being in the air for so long was very painful, and the WORST part of it all.

I had my surgery on a Tuesday, flew back on Thursday.

I slept when I got home.

I was so exhausted, and the day after I got home, I got a huge cold sore on my lip - just proof that my immune system had been in chaos!

Any polysporne will increase your healing time - the incisions are so freakin' tiny! You'll be shocked when you see them for the first time.

[Lindsay]

Yes, Jodi - for me it is. The procedure would cost me 13 grand, and that did not include hopsital stay, and other Dr.'s fees. Yikes! With Dr. Oritz, I am paying $7300 plus flight expense. Over all, I am saving over 1/2 the cost. My insurance will not cover labband.

In Canada, there is no way any insurance will cover a lap band.

It's a 18k surgery here. and it's considered cosmetic.

I paid a lower price at the OCC, because I negotiated the cdn dollar with the clinic.

And my travel costs were $900 for me to fly from Buffalo (I live in Toronto) to San Diego.

Over all, it was still VERY expensive.

[AngieB]

The Tums will help with everything!

Gas X strips are apparently fine too, but are pricey.

I didn't have heartburn, just the gas. So whatever you pick, just don't forget it at home, like i did!

You'll just be gassy after wards, but walking around (as mentioned above) works like a charm, just to get things going.

My trip was LOOONG.

It was a 9+/- hr flight, plus a 4 hour DRIVE to/from the airport, as I flew out of Buffalo (I'm from Toronto).

It was the flights that I had that killed me. I also had a flight transfer in Chicago, which really extended my trip.

The pressure from being in the air for so long was very painful, and the WORST part of it all.

I had my surgery on a Tuesday, flew back on Thursday.

I slept when I got home.

I was so exhausted, and the day after I got home, I got a huge cold sore on my lip - just proof that my immune system had been in chaos!

Any polysporne will increase your healing time - the incisions are so freakin' tiny! You'll be shocked when you see them for the first time.

You did have a long flight, and drive. I can see why you would be tired. My flight will be shorter, like 6 hrs with 1 transfer. So I will be able to walk around in between legs of the trip. I am planning on taking a carry on bag, plus a small bag for tolietries. I figure, I will be there for a short amount of time, comfee cloths and the basics. Because I am going by myslef, I dont plan on doing the tourist thing, plus who knows how well I will feel afterwards. With the travel advisory right now, and the mexican drug war, I don't want to cause my family to have stress and worry. Maybe if I go back for a fill next year, my family can see what is around.

I figure I will rest, walk, rest more and watch some TV. I might take a book, or something relaxing.

[ValleyGirl]

I only planned on five days off work and it wasn't enough for me and I ended up calling in sick for the first time in my career. Physically, I was still sore but emotionally I was worse- just feeling all over the place and not ready to face the world. I suppose being on liquids and so few calories messed with my blood-sugar a bit. If you have more time, take it! I wish I could have had two-weeks off.

Sabrina:)

Tums? For the gas or heartburn? I'll add those to my list as well. Is polyspone like triple antibiotic?

I am taking a total of 3 days off work. I fly to San Diego on a Thurs (1) Have Surgery on Fri (2) Fly back home on Sunday and have Monday (3) off. In your opinion, is that realistic? I have a desk job, with my own office.

I

[Christy26]

Tums? For the gas or heartburn? I'll add those to my list as well. Is polyspone like triple antibiotic?

I am taking a total of 3 days off work. I fly to San Diego on a Thurs (1) Have Surgery on Fri (2) Fly back home on Sunday and have Monday (3) off. In your opinion, is that realistic? I have a desk job, with my own office.

I

That is exactly what i did. My surgery was friday, I got there Thurs night, and I flew home Saturday morning. I had Monday off work and expected that I would probably call in sick Tuesday but I was fine to go back to work Tuesday, although I took it very easy and only worked about 6-7 hours before going home. As long as you rest and stay hydrated you should be fine. If you let yourself get dehydrated you will start to feel like crap.

Good luck!!!

[nursemom]

I recently went back with my Aunt who was banded and she reaped the benefit of the things I wish I'd brought, but didn't have. I would suggest some liquid motrin and liquid tylenol. Both will help so much. I would have LOVED to have liquid lortab, but they don't give that to you at the OCC. The toradol (someone mentioned earlier) is nice, but it will only get you through the first day.

Also, I went back to work one week after and was sore. But, did fine. My aunt did really well and could have gone back the day after. So, I think it depends on the person. Good LUCK!

[jhawkchick75]

Yeah, it really just depends on the person. I seemed to be in more pain that most others were, and that is unusual for me going off my pain tolerance in other surgeries. I was banded on a Thursday and went back to work on a Wednesday. If you have a desk job, make sure and get up and move once in a while and take short walks or you will be hurting. My first day back was an almost 14 hour day and that was really rough so you might want to consider doing a half day your first day to see how you feel.

Gas X is a must as well as some type of liquid pain meds. They taste terrible, but do the trick. I also got those kellogs k20 powder packs that you can put in a bottle of water which was helpful in the hotel, airport, etc...I didn't take it with me, but once I got home my heating pad was my best friend! So if you don't have one i'd suggest buying one. I also propped myself up and slept on the couch it was more comfortable. Luckily I have wireless internet at home so that kept me occupied!

[AngieB]

I only planned on five days off work and it wasn't enough for me and I ended up calling in sick for the first time in my career. Physically, I was still sore but emotionally I was worse- just feeling all over the place and not ready to face the world. I suppose being on liquids and so few calories messed with my blood-sugar a bit. If you have more time, take it! I wish I could have had two-weeks off.

Sabrina:)

I am hoping I will be one of the fortunate people who bounce back. I am giving myself 3 days of recovery. Then it's back in the saddle so to speak.

I had originally intended on having this procedure done in June, but in my department we have a whole 3 people. One of which is pregnant with twins, due in early July. So my supervisor asked me to see if I could do it in April or May. The other co-worker is taking time off in May, so it left me with a small window of time. Otherwise I would wait until after her maturnity leave. Which would be 3 months down the road. So, I started making plans and everything has fallen into place. Amazingly enough. So the only catch will be how I feel after the operation. I am thinking positive so we shall see how it turns out.

Keep you positive vibes coming that I will be the bounce back kid!

[AngieB]

That is exactly what i did. My surgery was friday, I got there Thurs night, and I flew home Saturday morning. I had Monday off work and expected that I would probably call in sick Tuesday but I was fine to go back to work Tuesday, although I took it very easy and only worked about 6-7 hours before going home. As long as you rest and stay hydrated you should be fine. If you let yourself get dehydrated you will start to feel like crap.

Good luck!!!

Good to know! I will be drinking as much water as I can. Glad to hear you had a good bounce back! Encouraging!