Guest guest Posted May 1, 2001 Report Share Posted May 1, 2001 Dear Tracey and other pre-ops, I had my surgery this past Tuesday 4/26/01 (Lap) and I have to say that my pain was well managed because I spoke up when I needed to. If I needed different/more pain meds or meds more frequently, I was loud and clear and made sure that I complained to the nurse, the doctor, the resident and whoever else had come around. The medical/surgical staff want to keep you comfortable as that aids in your healing. You are able to walk around sooner, breathe deeply and cough as needed, if your pain is properly managed. These things are very important to get you better quickly. If you are in pain and cannot comfortably do your part, you will only get yourself into trouble. You have to remember that everyone is different and that there is no one standard dose for all. Also, not all meds work the same for everyone. Sometimes the type of meds also needs to be changed. Every modern hospital also has pain management doctors. If your doctor is unable to get your pain under control quickly, request a consult immediately. My morphine pump was adjusted 2-3 times before I felt no discomfort, but I spoke up and let the medical staff know and they took quick action. If you do not tell the hospital staff and just suffer silently, they cannot help you. You do not get any awards for tolerating pain. In the recovery room I had some discomfort (not writhing or agonizing mind you) and that was because as you come out of anesthesia, the doctors have to be very careful when they are stepping up your doses of pain meds because not everyone breathes deeply enough coming out from under sedation and they want to increase your meds slowly to make sure that your oxygen levels remain good and constant. I was comfortable pretty quickly though. I also had two c-sections, my first in 1991 which I received Demoral shots (okay relief) and my second in 1993 when I had the Patient Pain Management Pump (excellant relief). With the " Pain Pump " they are able to give you a continous dose of morphine (make sure you ask for that) and when you need a little extra, you push a little button to deliver the extra dose. I had the Pain Pump along with shots of Toradol every 6 hours and I was fine in the hospital after my Lap BPD/DS surgery. If you have nausea, make sure that your surgeon has a standing order for Compazine shots. On the way back from my leak test, I said I felt sick to my stomach and before I was in bed, my nurse was in the room with the shot of Compazine and I felt okay almost immediately. I also have to say that my Lap BPD/DS surgery was easier than my 2 c-sections. I also could get as much pain meds as I needed because I wasn't nursing after my WLS. When you nurse after a c-section they are not overly generous with the pain meds because of the effect it may have on your newborn. I also had hours and hours of active labor BEFORE my 1st c-section. Just remember to speak up and voice when you have any pain. Don't wait until you can't take it any longer. If it isn't relieved with the additional meds they give you, make sure you say so. Today, things are so much different. I came home Sunday afternoon and Monday and Tuesday (today) I went shopping with my Mom for a couple of hours and saw my daughters school play this a.m. I am still taking a little pain medication to be totally comfortable, but I do not tolerate ANY pain well and always take whatever measures to remain pain free and functional. Best of Luck. Jane J. BMI 42 April 26, 2001 Lap BPD/DS Dr. Ren NYU Medical Center, NYC www.thinforlife.org www.duodenalswitch.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 1, 2001 Report Share Posted May 1, 2001 Jane, Thanks soooo much for the encouraging report on your surgery. I've been lurking for the past month (with a few forays into communication with Barbi, -by way of gobo- and a few others) and have been reading some communiques about problematic surgeries or post-op pain. You,ve reassured me into hoping that I'll be one of the lucky ones with no problems and an unremarkable recovery :]:]:] Marcia pre-op Dr. Ren, 6/26 > PAIN (Tracey)-LONG > > > Dear Tracey and other pre-ops, > > I had my surgery this past Tuesday 4/26/01 (Lap) and I have to say > that my pain was well managed because I spoke up when I needed to. > If I needed different/more pain meds or meds more frequently, I was > loud and clear and made sure that I complained to the nurse, the > doctor, the resident and whoever else had come around. The > medical/surgical staff want to keep you comfortable as that aids in > your healing. You are able to walk around sooner, breathe deeply and > cough as needed, if your pain is properly managed. These things are > very important to get you better quickly. If you are in pain and > cannot comfortably do your part, you will only get yourself into > trouble. > > You have to remember that everyone is different and that there is no > one standard dose for all. Also, not all meds work the same for > everyone. Sometimes the type of meds also needs to be changed. > Every modern hospital also has pain management doctors. If your > doctor is unable to get your pain under control quickly, request a > consult immediately. My morphine pump was adjusted 2-3 times before > I felt no discomfort, but I spoke up and let the medical staff know > and they took quick action. If you do not tell the hospital staff > and just suffer silently, they cannot help you. > > You do not get any awards for tolerating pain. In the recovery room I > had some discomfort (not writhing or agonizing mind you) and that was > because as you come out of anesthesia, the doctors have to be very > careful when they are stepping up your doses of pain meds because not > everyone breathes deeply enough coming out from under sedation and > they want to increase your meds slowly to make sure that your oxygen > levels remain good and constant. I was comfortable pretty quickly > though. > > I also had two c-sections, my first in 1991 which I received Demoral > shots (okay relief) and my second in 1993 when I had the Patient Pain > Management Pump (excellant relief). With the " Pain Pump " they are > able to give you a continous dose of morphine (make sure you ask for > that) and when you need a little extra, you push a little button to > deliver the extra dose. I had the Pain Pump along with shots of > Toradol every 6 hours and I was fine in the hospital after my Lap > BPD/DS surgery. If you have nausea, make sure that your surgeon has a > standing order for Compazine shots. On the way back from my leak > test, I said I felt sick to my stomach and before I was in bed, my > nurse was in the room with the shot of Compazine and I felt okay > almost immediately. > > I also have to say that my Lap BPD/DS surgery was easier than my 2 > c-sections. I also could get as much pain meds as I needed because I > wasn't nursing after my WLS. When you nurse after a c-section they > are not overly generous with the pain meds because of the effect it > may have on your newborn. I also had hours and hours of active labor > BEFORE my 1st c-section. > > Just remember to speak up and voice when you have any pain. Don't > wait until you can't take it any longer. If it isn't relieved with > the additional meds they give you, make sure you say so. Today, > things are so much different. I came home Sunday afternoon and > Monday and Tuesday (today) I went shopping with my Mom for a couple > of hours and saw my daughters school play this a.m. I am still > taking a little pain medication to be totally comfortable, but I do > not tolerate ANY pain well and always take whatever measures to > remain pain free and functional. > > Best of Luck. > > Jane J. > BMI 42 > April 26, 2001 > Lap BPD/DS > Dr. Ren > NYU Medical Center, NYC > www.thinforlife.org > www.duodenalswitch.com > > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 1, 2001 Report Share Posted May 1, 2001 At 10:30 PM +0000 5/1/01, Joe wrote: >Dear Tracey and other pre-ops, > >I had my surgery this past Tuesday 4/26/01 (Lap) and I have to say >that my pain was well managed because I spoke up when I needed to. >If I needed different/more pain meds or meds more frequently, I was >loud and clear and made sure that I complained to the nurse, the >doctor, the resident and whoever else had come around. ... >Just remember to speak up and voice when you have any pain. Don't >wait until you can't take it any longer. If it isn't relieved with >the additional meds they give you, make sure you say so. THANKS, Jane! That's good info for me to take into tomorrow (my switcheroo). --Steve -- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 2, 2001 Report Share Posted May 2, 2001 thx for sharing. You're on your way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 2, 2001 Report Share Posted May 2, 2001 thx for sharing. You're on your way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 2, 2001 Report Share Posted May 2, 2001 thx for sharing. You're on your way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 3, 2001 Report Share Posted May 3, 2001 Dear jane, I had lap surgery for my gall bladder and it was easier than going to the dentist. I wonder if it is because they dont cut as much so mabey its not as sensitive. I had five areas around my stomach that they cut,the largest above my navel to take out the gall bladder. I even had a local for my iv and was never in any pain. I have heard some say that it is the same as the switch. Im wondering why i didnt need much pain medicine. I was tired and my lungs were sore due to the anestesia. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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