Patient Education Bariatric Surgery Patient Education | Page 9

Pain and Education
When you are in the hospital or recovering at home, you may experience
discomfort and/or pain.
We will have pain medication available to help with the pain. Although we
may not be able to keep you pain-free, we will make every effort to provide
comfort and manage your pain.
Whatever kind of pain medication you are getting, it is most helpful to
take it before the pain gets severe. Don’t wait too long to ask for your pain
medicine. This makes it harder to get relief.
As You Recover
As you recover, your need for pain medication should decrease. Talk
with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about your pain
management during your recovery.
What are the side effects of the pain medicine?
Pain medicines can cause nausea, itching, confusion or constipation. If any
of these side effects occur or there are any other concerns, please tell your
nurse.
If you have laparoscopic surgery you may experience shoulder pain after
surgery. This is caused by the gas used in your abdomen during surgery.
Unfortunately, it can irritate a nerve in your diaphragm. If you experience
shoulder pain, a change in position, walking, heat and ice may help
decrease it.
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