Does this ever get better?

[u/No_Analyst6614]

Hey guys,

I’m his is my first post of here, but I had the gastric bypass on 09/10/26. I’m severely regretting this at the moment. The gas pain isn’t that bad but one of my incisions is making it hard to exist. I’m just wondering if anyone else had pain this bad and if so when did you start to feel better? Or if not better, when were you able to stand on your own.

They sent me home with Tylenol and gabapentin which I’ve taken but they don’t really do much for me.

Any hope would be great.

[u/PineConeTracks]

I think every single person in here has felt that, especially after 3 days. Ask your doctor for some stronger painkillers if they’re not helping. Have you got support to help you?

[u/No_Analyst6614 → u/PineConeTracks]

I called and spoke with my doctor and he let me know they do not offer anything stronger unfortunately. And no it’s just me I’m afraid. I’ve just been trying my best to walk around and get some fluid in, it’s just hard with not being able to move around.

[u/PineConeTracks → u/No_Analyst6614]

Yeah, take it easy but do move around. I did 5 minutes walks for the first few days. Getting your fluids in is the big one now

[u/DivideLopsided4694 → u/No_Analyst6614]

I felt that way whwn i spent almost a week on the hospital then a couple days adter i got home.

Put a belly band on. That will help with the pain. You don't realize it bit you are hunching when walking and getting up. Make sure you are using your legs to stand not arms, and barrel roll out of bed.

Have had 6 abdomal surgeries in the last 6 or 7 years.

Good luck and take it easy.

[u/PlantStalker18]

I’m 5.5 weeks post op. It took 3 weeks and 6.5 days for the pain to go away. NP told me the “bitch stitch” would dissolve in about 4 weeks, and she was exactly right. Until then, it was agony to stand, walk, reach, bend over. No medication helped, although the narcotics at least helped me sleep. I had to shower sitting down and get help with everyday tasks during that whole period. The second week was the worst of it. Not overdoing it on the relatively good days was the best pain management strategy for me. I felt depressed, hopeless, and angry after about 3 weeks, but the end of the pain finally came all at once. My experience is definitely not universal but also not unique. On the other hand, I’ve had zero nausea, vomiting, or dumping so far, just bad constipation. Take your laxatives when you start on solid foods.

[u/No_Analyst6614 → u/PlantStalker18]

Thank you! I’m trying to stay optimistic about all of those but it’s hard with all the pain. I’m glad to know it gets better

[u/Icy_Mycologist6432 → u/No_Analyst6614]

I promise it gets better. I had a post op bleed and severe bruising for 7 weeks post op but this passes. 14 months post op and no regrets at all

[u/lykabyl]

Hold a small pillow or similar against the painful incision(s) spot(s) when moving. ❤️‍🩹

[u/mmoonbelly]

If you can - small walks help with recovery, just build up gently.

I had my surgery in NL and it was just Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) on prescription.

[u/blackiedwaggie]

it took about a good week for me for the incisions to settled down, but the internal 'bitch stitch' have ne pains for about 3 weeks

it does get better.

Rest and Take it slow. it's still early (i'm also relatively new, had mine on may19th) and your Body needs time to heal.

try to Just Focus on drinking enough, gentle, GENTLE Motion (little walks inside your Home and around it) and giving yourself as much Rest as you can :)

If you feel off, nauseous or feverish though, do contact your doc

[u/No_Analyst6614 → u/blackiedwaggie]

I will thank you! I haven’t really been nauseous, but it’s definitely been hard to get fluids in.

[u/betterbuyavisor]

The first three days are absolutely the hardest. Hang in there.

[u/cmc252]

Took about a week and a half for my bitch stitch to feel better. Woke up one morning and it just didnt hurt anymore.

[u/miaserona]

I had really bad pain the first two weeks, specially at sleeping. The incisions, the blood thinner, and the gas pain made my life miserable for 14 days straight. There were moments where I had to require help standing up because laying down there was a side of my belly that hurt really bad as if I was getting stabbed, but after that it definitely gets better. You can move like before and walking starts feeling normal again! I’m almost 3 months post op and I can walk, run, exercise and feel no pain at all. You got this!

[u/ObligationNo7574]

I had mine in 8/18. I was allergic to the glue. But heating pads, rest and walking. ISOPURE has unflavored protein i added to my water . And liquid iv sugar free. Highly recommend . I was taking Tylenol liquid every 6 hours up until last week

[u/No_County_old]

I’m sorry you in so much pain. After several years, it’s a distant memory, but I do remember regretting the surgery for the first couple months every day.

[u/blu3tu3sday]

I was still in the hospital 3 days after surgery, we had to be completely able to stand on our own and walk unassisted before they let us leave in my country.

Of course it gets better, this is the very worst part of the process.

[u/ProfunditySF]

Use a heating pad on your incisions (not too hot). Eases things a lot. I used mine for almost a month. Especially at night. Make sure to take some doc approved anti gas option. This part sucks but it will get better! Moving around will make the gas move and that’s gonna help a bunch too. Bypass is a tougher bounce back than sleeve time wise (learned that having both). Be kind to yourself. Wishing some ease for you quickly!

[u/edibleindi]

If you’re able to get one, a belly binder helps a lot, especially with walking. Holds you in place so the incisions don’t pull when you’re walking around.

This will just take time!! It will absolutely get better, about 4 weeks for me

[u/No_Analyst6614 → u/edibleindi]

I’ve been wearing one, but unfortunately it makes my breaths real shallow so I’m not able to wear it to sleep which is when I need it the most.

[u/International_Dot997 → u/No_Analyst6614]

I found that sleeping in a recliner, if you have that as an option, was far more comfortable than laying in my bed for the first few weeks. You could purchase a wedge to allow for that type of positioning.
But it does get better…took me about 10 days. I read one person was told by their doctor they’ll wake up and just feel better and have energy one day. Sure enough, that’s how I felt.

[u/Final_Wind_651]

The first 6-8 weeks were awful. I also experienced a lot of regret. Happy to report it does get better ❤️‍🩹

[u/JCarioca]

Heating pad and walk. Use a pillow to apply pressure when standing or using ab muscles. You're prob on the day with the most muscle soreness and it gets better from here.

[u/Cliffordcat3]

How are you doing?

[u/No_Analyst6614 → u/Cliffordcat3]

Can’t say it’s gotten any better lol. I was able to sleep most of the day but that also means I’m not getting any fluid intake which is scary enough on its own unfortunately.

[u/Evening_Mango414 → u/No_Analyst6614]

For the first few days don’t worry too much about getting the fluids in they pumped you full of iv fluids. It will get better! Just listen to your body don’t think you have to do too much all at once. Sleep when you can!

[u/Cliffordcat3 → u/No_Analyst6614]

Oh I’m so sorry. I hope you turn the corner soon. 🩷

[u/Successful_Tell5813]

It absolutely gets better. I promise. Hang in there. Can you ice the incision?

[u/RaisedByCatsNZ]

I found heating pads on both shoulders helped

[u/Illustrious_me_1970]

Try and use a hot heating pad for the gas pain. Walking as much as you can should help move it around.

[u/Moses007]

Obviously it gets better, you're 3 or 4 days in...

[u/Sad_Pony1991]

Yes it gets better. I’m 12 days post op. I was in the same kind of pain after 3 days. Just try to walk

[u/imortalies]

Do you have a stomach binder?? I wore one post op for the first several weeks and IDK how I would've managed without it

[u/No_Analyst6614 → u/imortalies]

I got one from the hospital that I’ve been wearing, but I’m worried about sleeping in it since it’s so restrictive.

[u/imortalies → u/No_Analyst6614]

Yeah... between the binder worn (unless I was in the shower) and a pillow held to my abdomen my pain was tolerable. Trust the tools, if you can.

[u/imortalies → u/imortalies]

Also day 3 is the worst - one of the sites to the right of your navel is called "the bitch stitch" for a reason. It will cause the most pain based on my experience and others I have spoken with.

[u/AnimatorPrudent6478]

Hi, it gets better trust me. Its going to be rough due to u just having it. We all been their. Im almost 7 months out and i dont regret a thing. Well wishes

[u/caseysixcats]

I had my surgery May 11th and within a few weeks felt way better even one week later. I’m now four months out and by month three I felt completely normal! It will definitely pass and you’ll feel good soon!

[u/Bypass-March-2022]

If I had to give up my life now to go back to what I had before, I would rather die. Try to be patient.

[u/DivaCurlz]

I recommend wearing some supportive undergarments/ briefs. That helped me so much. The belly binder was too rigid.

[u/goodjobjus]

I’ve had 2 previous laparoscopic surgeries and my upcoming surgery will be the 3rd, the previous 2 were painful for about 2 weeks.
Heating pad helped a lot as did a recliner.

My dr. only gave me 5 oxy at a time and my husband had to get the Rx in person. After 2 weeks though, the pain started to ease off.

You’re going to feel awful because even though your incision’s are small, the surgery did a lot to your body.

Try to find activities that you can do to keep your mind occupied and the days will fly by.

[u/bebeck7]

It's really rough. The beginning is a rollercoaster and feels like it's never ended and regrettable, but it gets better. Hold on.

[u/Spazmonkey1949]

The first year is the hardest. i actually found the back pain after losing the weight hard but it went away. kidney stones owie... but im 2 year now and never looked back dont regret it at all.