Pain Meds Post-Op - ThinnerTimes

SuperPeaches · 09-16-2006, 09:00 PM

Hi everybody! I'm new here, and I searched the forum but didn't find an answer to a question I have, if I missed it and this is a repeat I apologize!

I'm concerned with the pain medication after surgery. My doctor said that it would be vicodin in liquid form that I would take as much as I needed.

I guess I'm worried that it won't be enough, I've taken vicodin for migraines and when I had surgery on my ankle, and I was still in horrible pain. I think I'm a total wuss when it comes to pain.

So, what I'm wondering is, is the post op pain worse than childbirth?

Thanks so much for answering my silly question in advance.

LyndasRoom · 09-16-2006, 09:04 PM

Hi and Welcome. For me, I stopped with the pain meds after a bout 2 days home. It definitely was not as bad as childbirth, I had lap rny and I felt like I did about 2 gajillion sit ups and was sore in that area. Also, my surgeon implants an on-Q pump which sends a lidocaine type numbing agent into the area where it would hurt, so it helps for the first 5-7 days.

SuperPeaches · 09-16-2006, 09:10 PM

Phew, I'm so happy to hear it's not as bad as childbirth. Situps I can handle

And I'm even happier to hear that it sounds like you don't need the pain meds for that long. I was thinking since the recovery time is like 3-5 weeks that I would have to take the meds for that long, which I really don't want to do. Vicodin totally knocks me out.

LyndasRoom · 09-16-2006, 09:15 PM

Oh no! All I truly have is my personal experience, but I'm a wimp. If I'd have hurt, I'd have continued to take the medicine. It did give me the WILDEST dreams though...I went back to my "desk job" at 2 weeks...and let me assure you, that if I'd been in pain, I'd not have. My employer is very understanding, and I was pretty tired at the end of the day for about a week and a half, but as the weight comes off, you get more energy, so it balances out. I do have to say that like childbirth, you tend to forget the pain. But I have posts on other boards I have come across that described the pain as I did to you...the situp thing. I must add...it's TOTALLY worth it!

Blueyz · 09-16-2006, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperPeaches

Hi everybody! I'm new here, and I searched the forum but didn't find an answer to a question I have, if I missed it and this is a repeat I apologize!

I'm concerned with the pain medication after surgery. My doctor said that it would be vicodin in liquid form that I would take as much as I needed.

I guess I'm worried that it won't be enough, I've taken vicodin for migraines and when I had surgery on my ankle, and I was still in horrible pain. I think I'm a total wuss when it comes to pain.

So, what I'm wondering is, is the post op pain worse than childbirth?

Thanks so much for answering my silly question in advance.

It depends on if you are having lap vs. open rny. I know that my gbs pain was a lot worse than my several TT/hernia repairs...but my guess is I got used to the pain. I also get migraines and was worried about the pain. While in the ICU, they gave me morphine which I found to be alergic to, so they took me off and gave me the Lortab..liquid vicodin. It worked fine and you should be ok. Childbirth is much harder...had mine without any meds or epidural. If the lortab doesn't work, they have many alternatives. Don't worry, you will be ok. Good luck

Free2bgirl · 09-18-2006, 11:36 AM

My Dr sent me home with a 10 day supply of Percocet tablets. I found that I did not need them at all after day 3 but I took them at night to help me sleep. I am a stomach sleeper but the sutures made it impossible for me to get in a comfortable sleep position so the Percocet helped. I did not have any trouble swallowing them or keeping them down (thank goodness).

You should definitely tell your doctor that the vicodan doesn't work for you and ask for something else. It's your body - what works for his other patients may not work for you. Be your own advocate and speak up if you need or want something else.

This surgery was way less painful than childbirth! (I had a C-section). I was walking around just fine less 48 hrs after my RNY but I can't say the same for the C-section.

And by the way - your questions are NOT silly. The more questions you ask now - and the more prepared you are for your surgery, the better everything will go for you. This surgery is a serious life-changing event - know before you go.

Bypassingme619 · 09-18-2006, 11:44 AM

Welcome aboard. Everybody is different when it comes to pain tolerance. Best advice is to take your pain meds as prescribed or q4 hours to help reduce the effect of the pain returning. Be sure to sit down with your surgeon and discuss this before surgery. Some surgeons will not prescribe out side of what the norm is with their patints. Be sure to make sure your surgeon notes that your have a low-tolerance for pain.

SuperPeaches · 09-18-2006, 01:52 PM

Thanks guys, it's great to hear all your experiences. I'm just waiting on my surgery date now should hear from them in like 3 days.

sdgrrl · 09-18-2006, 02:41 PM

I take a boatful of heavy hitting pain meds daily for my back problems, and I'm tolerant to normal doses of pain pills. I talked about this with my doc beforehand, and he was WONDERFUL about making sure I had as minimal pain as possible, even with take-home drugs. I'm very grateful when I find a doc that understands it's not a measure of one's character to suffer in silence. Pain is a signal, and believe me, the signal is duly noted. But it speeds healing and increases the ability to move around, further speeding the healing process and preventing the formation of blood clots.

But have this conversation with your doctor. Tell him/her your concerns and let him/her share their protocol with you. For instance, in my house Vicodin are known as Pez and I'd have to take like 4 of them at once to equal some of the meds I take.

Zenomia · 09-18-2006, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdgrrl

But have this conversation with your doctor. Tell him/her your concerns and let him/her share their protocol with you. For instance, in my house Vicodin are known as Pez and I'd have to take like 4 of them at once to equal some of the meds I take.

Holy Pain Party, That is a LOT of meds!! Here I was wimpering about my back hurting the other night....it must be no where near the pain you experience. Guess I need to suck it up and quit being such a wimp...WOW! My condolences to your back...that would suck raw eggs to live with that!! Thought the Pez comment was pretty cheeky, I laughed out loud!!

Me, I had a pain pump in the hospital, also allergic to Morphine...Makes me a bit of a psychopath..(moreso than normal) ...hehehe...At home, liquid Vicodin...YUMMY!! Tasted like Pina Colada! Anyhow..only used it for a day or so. Child BIRTH...MUCH WORSE..(Epidural free birth that is...Only did that dumb move once!!)