Post surgical OWWIE!

[Jennasis]

Jiminy Cricket! I wasn't in this much pain after my back surgery 6 weeks ago!

This morning I had "simple" outpatient surgery to remove a lipoma (a fatty tumor) from my left side. They didn't put me under or anything, and from the time I checked in at the front desk until the time I was walking back to my car was exactly 42 minutes. The doctor was quick, efficient, pleasant and highly recommended.

But holy hand grenades...when the lidocaine wore off about 2 hours ago, WHOOOOOOO doggie! It feels like my left side is on fire! I don't think it's from the incision itself, but rather from him digging around inside with his finger to coax the large mass out (which he did without having to cut it at all with a scalpel). It felt like he was digging for dinosaur bones or something and now I am paying the price!

The nurse said not to ice it, and I just took 3 advil. Hoping it helps, but I have plenty of oxycodone left over from my back surgery, since that didn't hurt nearly as much.

Ugh! How long do you think the soreness will last?

 

[dispor]

Holy Cow! I was completely under when they removed mine. I really didn't feel any pain afterward. Hope you are feeling better soon!!

 

[RNMOM]

Why did she tell you not to ice it? If you do it safely, 20 min. on, 20 min. off and be sure there is a cloth cover between your skin and the ice what can it hurt? Keep it dry also.

Ice will reduce the blood supply to the area a small amount and reduce swelling. It will also serve to numb the nerve endings a bit. Which nurse told you this?

I think you should call the surgeon's office number and ask him or his on call doctor if iceing is okay or what else you should do.

 

[doxdogy]

I am not a nurse, but I would do what RNMOM suggested and call the surgeons office. Doesn't sound normal that they told you not to ice it.

Why did she tell you not to ice it? If you do it safely, 20 min. on, 20 min. off and be sure there is a cloth cover between your skin and the ice what can it hurt? Keep it dry also.

Ice will reduce the blood supply to the area a small amount and reduce swelling. It will also serve to numb the nerve endings a bit. Which nurse told you this?

I think you should call the surgeon's office number and ask him or his on call doctor if iceing is okay or what else you should do.

 

[beachlover9395]

I'd take the oxycodone, but that's me. I'd also call the surgeon's office - I was told I could use an ice pack if I felt like it. Burning pain is more than likely nerve pain and nerve irritation, which you alluded to with the digging around comment.

I had a lipoma removed in Feb. but had to have general anesthesia because I let it get too big - it was on my right ribcage area at the braline. It had grown for over a decade and was 6 1/2 inches in diameter. I only have a two inch incision though, thank goodness. I was sore for a few days, as you can imagine.

Good luck and feel better soon!

 

[Jennasis]

My lipoma was about the size of a small hard boiled egg. It was the nurse assisting with the surgery who told me not to ice it. I'll call the surgeon's office and ask about that.

 

[RNMOM]

Just wondering how you are doing? Better, I hope.

I am still baffled about the no ice thing. I can't think of any reason for that at all. Hmmm....

 

[disneymarie]

Jiminy Cricket! I wasn't in this much pain after my back surgery 6 weeks ago!

This morning I had "simple" outpatient surgery to remove a lipoma (a fatty tumor) from my left side. They didn't put me under or anything, and from the time I checked in at the front desk until the time I was walking back to my car was exactly 42 minutes. The doctor was quick, efficient, pleasant and highly recommended.

But holy hand grenades...when the lidocaine wore off about 2 hours ago, WHOOOOOOO doggie! It feels like my left side is on fire! I don't think it's from the incision itself, but rather from him digging around inside with his finger to coax the large mass out (which he did without having to cut it at all with a scalpel). It felt like he was digging for dinosaur bones or something and now I am paying the price!

Ugh! How long do you think the soreness will last?

That is the key. If the lidocain and lidoderm soaked gause had been left on longer the inside torture pain could calm down before local wore off. He should have perscribed a pain med to keep on top of the med, the Advil were not going to get you through the day.

I hope that you are feeling better soon, and the back surgery is a great sucess.

 

[Jennasis]

This morning is considerably better. It only hurts if I push on it or stretch that side. The surgeon didn't prescribe any meds (but did offer to) because I already have a whole drugstore of my own at home from previous surgery/injuries. I tried the Advil because I detest the way the high powered stuff makes me feel. But I have Norco, Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Percocet, Darvocet, Ultram and Naproxen.

I don't know if they soaked the guaze in anything, but I haven't touched the dressing they put on in the OR and was told to leave it for 3 days.

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

My husband had the same thing removed from the back of his head last year. It was HUGE! They put him completely under. He says that he still can't feel the area but every now and again he gets sharp pain there.

Anyway, this weekend we both noticed that it looked "puffy". Does anyone know if these things typically grow back?

Sorry to hijack!

 

[WhateverLolaWants]

My husband had the same thing removed from the back of his head last year. It was HUGE! They put him completely under. He says that he still can't feel the area but every now and again he gets sharp pain there.

Anyway, this weekend we both noticed that it looked "puffy". Does anyone know if these things typically grow back?

Sorry to hijack!

They grow back if the surgeon doesn't manage to remove all of the cells.

 

[golfgal]

This morning is considerably better. It only hurts if I push on it or stretch that side. The surgeon didn't prescribe any meds (but did offer to) because I already have a whole drugstore of my own at home from previous surgery/injuries. I tried the Advil because I detest the way the high powered stuff makes me feel. But I have Norco, Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Percocet, Darvocet, Ultram and Naproxen.

I don't know if they soaked the guaze in anything, but I haven't touched the dressing they put on in the OR and was told to leave it for 3 days.

I'd be careful advertising this-you might get some unwanted visitors to your medicine cabinet

I hope you are feeling better.