24 hours from surgery... excruciating pain :( suggestions n advice pls!

[Dana]

The gas pain is pretty intense. Gas x didn't help me much, only intestinal gas and I couldn't tell the difference at the time. Gas x can't really help the air in your body cavity, it has to be walked off. It really was pretty bad but I knew what it was and didn't worry. If its not gas then they need to see another dr. But the gas lasted a good 5 days for me. It eventually went into my shoulders and got pretty sharp. I never had any tummy pains except a little pulling from my cuts. Nothing else internal. Tell them we are praying for them and are so sorry about their trouble. If have any more questions please ask.

[nycbiscuit]

They have to tolerate the pain? Is the doctor mad?
I told my doctor I want total sensory deprivation and back up drugs! I'm not totally lacking in imagination!
He didn't get the Ab Fab reference, but that's OK. I got great drugs in the hospital. No pain. There's no need to suffer, especially while in hospital.

[Ronnie]

First of all, I think you are so sweet to be out here on this forum seeking help and support for your mum and sis! Pain tolerance is a very individualized thing. For instance, I have had little to know pain. As far as the comparison to childbirth, if she had an epidural she wouldn't have really felt anything but pressure. Now if she is talking totally natural childbirth (which I did have when I was young and crazy), then that is another story, as that is pain!! so the pain scale is different for childbirth depending on the method. Now, as for them now, 24 hours is the worst time in the pain part. It really should be subsiding soon. But the doctor should give them something if they are in that much pain. I know my doc gave me morphine directly after my surgery and that kind of carried me thru the first 24 hours. then I was switched to Torodal which is not even narcotic in nature and it really did the trick. I wouldn't say i have a high pain threshold, probably just average. Are they home or in the hospital? A heating pad has been a good friend to me and warm showers on my back and stomach have felt very good. The other thing, is I am assuming they had laparoscopic procedures and not open, invasive procedures. Is it the incisions hurting them? if so, try some bactine spray, it cools, soothes and has some antibacterial benefits as well. Really in 3 days they should be feeling pretty good and by day 5 even better! The first week may be a little rough. My little girl rubbed my hands and feet and neck for me and that helped some too. And i have some little stick on heat patches from the pharmacy that i put on my neck that last 8 hours and they just sooth. Popsicles also work wonders. They feel very good and provide some hydration. I hope this is helpful. I wish you the best in taking care of them. You are a very kind soul and good son/daughter (sorry I'm not sure which you are ). Take care of you too, don't get too stressed. In the end you will see them grow from weary to happy and healthy and you will look back and say it was all worth it! Best to you in everything.

[Ronnie]

Oh, Pooj, I just saw this about the internal pain and they are not eating or drinking. They need to be seen by another doc then if he is unwilling to do something. They need to be sure all is ok in there. And because they are not eating or drinking they may need IV fluids again before they get really sick. Can you get them into see another doctor? or an emergency/urgent care clinic? I have never heard of a doc say that someone has to tolerate the pain. Every doc I have ever known (and I know alot being in the medical profession), they want patients as comfy as possible.

[pooj]

Thanks all you wonderful people... for caring and taking the time to respond.. i was very touched to see the responses and they certainly helped.

The pain is better today!! My sis was better about 15 or so hrs back and my mum has been better since about 10 hrs.. though my mum is still heavily sedated and the doctors are now reducing the pain meds to get her fully awake (touchwood, the pain doesnt come back with the meds going down)

They are on ivey drips since the operation so they dont feel weak etc.. and the pain medication is through the drip.. none for my sis anymore, thankfully! My sis is feeling positive and hopeful abt the weight loss and getting back to normal life soon and thn even better normal than she lived being so overweight..

My mum has suffered quite a bit and having been sedated not seeing the bright side of things as yet.. but touchwood she will soon.

I think it was gas pain.. the doc kept saying it has to be tolerated as did the staff in the icu.. the icu 24 hr experience after the surgery was horrible.. having just discussed with my sis how crappy they were treated in the icu.. when i was sitting waiting to be called for the smallest requirement and my dad was continuously on the phone with the duty doc to keep up with their progress.. and they were told 1. no one was outside the icu and 2. they have to not "create so much drama" and that they "were enjoying creating the drama".. makes my blood boil

My sister says she never wants surgery ever again.. and my mum having been though normal childbirth (twice) and a couple of surgeries besides says she hasnt ever felt such pain..

i would just advice anyone going for this procedure to be aware of this problem that can happen and speak with the doctor about addressing it from before.. i am sure there is no need to suffer so much when its clearly not routine..

I have a job interview in about 16 hrs so got to study now!!

Will post again soon.. i am as excited as them to get their lives back and be slim, something i always took so much for granted.. oh and i am the younger sister (younger by a yr)

[pooj]

oh and being in a developing country.. the number of qualified doctors is low and so the doctor for the most part has been unavailable.. he seems to perform a lot of surgeries.. day before he was in surgery till midnight.. and these are regular, non emergency, scheduled surgeries.. this is one of the oldest and biggest hospitals.. but hospital procedures really seem to suck.. i could go on for hours how awful and unhelpful to the patient n his/her family the staff is here..

[Lea]

I hope your mom and sister feel better soon....its prob. true...getting moving will hurt...but then help..and they are hurting anyway....dont let them curl up in a fetal position and try to get away from the pain....i am sure if they move, they will feel better..............taking all this in...for my own future op.....it frightens me a little...but not getting the sleeve scares me more.............

[justme1]

Good luck with your job interview...let us know how it goes!!

[Bethan]

Hi Pooj,
I just got thru my procedure last week. gas is usually a problem. I found that the gas x strips didn't work well for me at all because you can only do 4 per day no matter how bad the gas. Milk of magnesia worked really well because I could sip it as needed. Also...pain or not...get them on their feet! If they aren't dead, they need to be walking, walking, walking. Nothing moves the gas and makes you feel better than movement. Don't worry , it gets better!

[pooj]

srry for all the bad pr.. but this is not usual as u can tell from all the posts above.. so dont let it scare you!

my sis is better n is moving about...
mum is still very very drowsy and gets dizzy when she tries standing.. sleeping most of the time and a bit delirious/getting panic attacks.. a side effect of the anesthesia.. hopefully all gets settled by tomorrow..

good night you'all.. will keep you posted.. seems like i am gonna be here a while discussing their recovery and improvements..