Categories
SMS - Baria

SMS – Baria-E-043 Managing pain

In the days immediately following bariatric surgery, you may feel pain where the incision was made or from the position your body was in during surgery. Some patients may also experience neck and shoulder pain after having a laparoscopy.  

Your comfort is very important to your health care team.

Although there will always be some discomfort after an operation, keeping your pain under control is necessary for your recovery. When you are comfortable, you are better able to take part in activities such as walking, deep breathing, and coughing, all of which are imperative for a quick recovery.

Here are some tips to help you feel more comfortable

  • Tell your nurses and physicians if you have pain, particularly if it keeps you from moving, taking deep breaths and generally feeling comfortable.
  • Everyone is different, so keep your nurses informed about how you feel. That will help them help you.
  • Plan ahead for pain – if you are comfortable lying down, you may still need some pain medication to get up and walk around.
  • Keep ahead of the pain. Don’t wait for the pain to be at its worst. Pain medication works best when used to prevent pain.
  • The risk of becoming addicted to pain medication is very low when it is used for a specific medical purpose, such as for post-surgery pain management.