[nume]

Thank you for your replies. You have all eased my mind. I am more afraid of the pain meds then the pain itself. I don't drink or use rec. drugs so I don't know what to expect. I know that sounds crazy. But even when I had my 3 children I did not take any pain medicine. I wish I had but was so afraid of the pain medication. I plan on using the pain medicine this time. I am not sure why I am so afraid of these pain med's.

[clancythecamper]

Hi and welcome ~ it's certainly understandable that you'd be concerned about pain and such. Just remember, it's a matter of care by your docs - they have pain control to help you thru that aspect - if you even need it! If you've had kids without pain meds I question whether it will even be an issue for you.

I did have pain, probably more than others, but again the meds got me thru. I preferred the recliner for a couple of weeks and was sleeping in bed around wk 3. I was out of work for 5 weeks and couldn't have gone back even one day sooner - don't know how many on here were back at it in days ~ but again, we're all different. My surg was 07-07 and by October I was doing really well with foods and exercise; Thanksgiving was great and Christmas was fabulous. It gets better and better for me ~ I'm really excited for you, it's a great trip and so worth it

[carylk]

I used liquid Vicodin for the first few days home, then just liquid Tylenol. The pain wasn't that bad if I kept myself moving (slowly) around the house throughout the day. I had a couple lazy days, and found that I hurt more when I did have to get up if I had been lounging all day instead of walking. Everyone is different, but your doc will want you to be comfortable enough to be able to keep moving. Keep them informed if you find that your pain is not controlled.
Where in Ohio are you? I'm in the Akron area- had my surgery done at AGMC.

[keynabeena]

When I woke up after my surgery I pushed the button for my pain meds (Pain Pump) only about 3 times, I had my surgery at 7:30am it was over at 9:00 and was back in my room at 11:00 I never pushed the button after about noon that same day! I never had any pain at all until after my 2 hour car ride home! I had my boyfriend go and get my pain prescription filled I took that once that night and never used it again! I left the hospital the next day after my surgery and like I said I never had any pain, I was uncomfortable sleeping at some times, mainly when I really wanted to lay on my side but I couldnt! I am a nanny of a 9yr old, 6 yr old, and 3 yr old and was back to work in one week, and I could have gone back sooner, but it definitely tired me out alot faster! So thats about it! I think its just so different for every person!

[nume]

I'm in Cleveland area. I will have the sugery at St. Vincent

[shellybelly]

Hi I never had much pain.A little discomfort but I never really had alot of pain.They repaired a hernia that had a little pain.I never took a pain pill outside the hospital.Hope all is well!Blessings~Shelly

[kraley]

I just got home from the hospital yesterday. I found that my pain was well managed in the hospital. I didn't open one of the magazines or books that I brought with me and I'm a real reader. I just couldn't concentrate. Last night wasn't too great. I took some pain meds (liquid hydrocodone) and then laid on my back in bed (no recliner available) until I woke up from the pain. I really missed the rails on the hospital bed that could help me with getting up and down. Eventually I pulled/pushed/rolled/grunted myself out of bed and got some new meds. I went back to sleep with another pillow propped under my head and that seemed to help with gas pains. I was walking great in the hospital, but sure wish I could have one of those pain pumps here at home. I find that my upper back gets tired from sitting up, but laying down doesn't feel all that much better. It definitely hurts. I had two C-sections before this and think it probably hurts about the same. I can't sleep on my sides which is a bummer. Reading this post leaves me hopeful for the next week or so. It is pretty icy where I am and so walking outside isn't an option. I just did about five or six hallway "laps" in my apartment and feel ok. I drank my protein shake this morning and have gotten about 16 oz of crystal light so far. 64 oz sure seems a long ways off! I am not at all hungry and haven't been since surgery. I did have a dream last night that I ate some cake and was so worried that I might start dumping. lol I guess dream cake is what I'm limited too. Too bad it wasn't guilt free! Good luck with the surgery. I'll keep you posted on my misery level. Right now...about a 4

[kbfrmaz]

First 4 days were A LOT of pain- I won't lie. Thank God for the morphine pump. Getting in and out of bed was the worst, and I even needed help dressing since I couldn't really raise my leg. Around day 5 things started getting steadily better. I could NOT sleep in a bed for almost 2 weeks, and not on my side for 3 weeks at least. I slept in the recliner and did OK.

It wasn't that the pain was horrible- I just expected very little and I have a high pain tolerance so I wasn't worried.....but it was more than I expected. However, I would do it again in a heartbeat!