Lots of pain after surgery, is it normal?

[OliviaRose]

I had a laparoscopy yesterday and im in so much pain. Lots of pain in my tummy and chest. Struggling to go to the toilet and constantly feeling sick. Is it normal?

[sam_naylor]

I haven't had a laparoscopy but my friend said when she had hers she felt awful for about a week or two. She was in agony, her shoulders really hurt etc. Cause they have to put air (or something!?) in your tummy to blow you up then your really gassy and windy afterwards so not only does your tummy hurt from the operation however minor it may be it also hurts from that. Hope it eases soon, take some painkillers. X

[Cloudyrain]

That's quite normal for so soon afterwards. If you notice you start to get a temperature then call a doctor.

Drink lots of water and try and eat some plums or something to get things moving. Also, if you can get someone to get some stool softeners from the chemist because the drugs they give you in surgery really compact everything - if you know what I mean!

Keep taking your pain killers and rest. Don't drive and don't pick up anything heavy.

Peppermint tea/cordial is good for sickness and the trapped wind. Extra strong mints and Ginger biscuits are good for sickness.

Hope that helps!x

[worth71]

Yes it is normal to feel how you are feeling, especially as its only one day after your surgery. What cloudyrain has advised it very good, so try to follow that advice. I drank lots of water too, and took stool softeners, it was a week before I opened my bowels after my lap, and it took me a good couple of weeks before I felt better, and more like 6 weeks before I felt anywhere near back to proper normal, don't try to rush things, listen to your body, and don't try to be superwoman, just because some are back to doing normal things within days, not all of us recover the same xx

[worth71]

Oh and the sickness will be the general aneasetic, I felt sick for about four days after, especially every time I got up and moved, the chest pain will be the gas they use to expand your stomach, that also lasted a good few days, and was at times very painful xx

[Primrose84]

I had mine 2 weeks ago and ended up being sick and stuck on the toilet it wasn't pleasant I was signed off work for 10 days and on day 5 I thought they were bloody crazy signing me off for only 10 days.

On day 8 I was still in so much pain it was crazy. Then all of a sudden the lap pain disappeared.

I'm still having issues with the stitches however but I hear that's normal.

Do rest but don't do nothing if your determined to get on your feet you will heal quicker.

Good luck

Xx

[annab]

Hi Olivia

I hope you are feeling a bit better. It is normal to feel nausea and pain afterwards. The chest pain is caused by gas they use during the surgery to inflate the body. Once it starts to leave the body it can give terrible pain in the chest and around the collar bone and shoulders. Nothing dangerous at all. Peppermint tea or dandelion tea helps.

Take care and hang in there....it will get better

A