Pain and discomfort are topics that come up in almost every conversation about gastric sleeve surgery. Before we had ours, we worried about how painful recovery would be – and after going through it, we can say that while there is discomfort, it’s often very different from what you might expect.
This post shares our personal experience managing pain and discomfort after surgery, what helped us most in those first few days, and a few lessons we wish we’d known earlier.
The First 48 Hours: Gas Pain and Pressure
Because the gastric sleeve procedure is performed laparoscopically, your abdomen is filled with carbon dioxide (CO₂) to create space for the surgeon to work. Most of that gas is released before the operation ends, but a small amount remains trapped inside the body.
That leftover gas can cause a strange, sharp pain that travels up into your shoulders and chest – often mistaken for incision pain, but it’s actually trapped gas pressing on the diaphragm. For us, this was the most uncomfortable part of recovery.
We both experienced this shoulder pain for about 48 hours after surgery. Kirsten described it as an “intense ache that came and went,” while James found it more like a constant pressure that worsened when lying flat.
What helped:
- Gentle walking every 30–45 minutes to encourage gas release.
- Doing slow arm circles or “windmill” movements to loosen the shoulder area.
- Using a hot water bottle on the upper back (checked with the nurse first).
While it’s unpleasant, this discomfort usually passes within a couple of days as your body naturally absorbs and expels the gas.
Incision Pain and Abdominal Tenderness
Most people expect their incisions to be the most painful part – but that wasn’t our experience. The small laparoscopic incisions (usually five in total) were sore rather than painful. The main sensation was tightness, especially when standing up or coughing.
Our surgeon used dissolvable stitches with paper tape over the top, so wound care was minimal. We showered daily after 48 hours using waterproof dressings and made sure to pat the area dry.
Kirsten had some mild stinging around one incision for the first week, but it healed cleanly. James’ recovery was more complicated due to his secondary surgery (following the fainting incident), so his abdominal area stayed tender for much longer – around six weeks in total.
Sleeping Comfortably After Surgery
Sleep is when your body does most of its healing, but finding a comfortable position after surgery can be challenging. Both of us were told to sleep on our backs for the first couple of weeks, which was easier said than done. Neither of us are natural back sleepers, and lying flat caused more shoulder pain.
We found a few small tricks that made a big difference:
- Extra pillows: Using two behind the back to stay slightly elevated reduced pressure on the abdomen.
- Pillow between the knees: Helped keep hips aligned and prevented twisting.
- Wedge pillow: We bought one from Amazon, which allowed us to sleep at a gentle incline without sliding down the bed.
Kirsten managed to return to sleeping on her side after about 10 days. James had to wait nearly three weeks – rushing it caused a pulling pain around his incisions that lingered for days.
The lesson? Don’t rush recovery milestones just because someone else has reached them.
General Discomfort and Fatigue
Beyond physical pain, there’s another type of discomfort – fatigue and bloating. The first week feels like your body is in full repair mode, and even small movements can leave you tired. We both found that walking slowly every few hours actually helped with this, improving circulation and digestion.
Pain medication was minimal – we were given oral painkillers in hospital but only used them for the first two days. After that, mild discomfort was manageable with rest, hydration, and movement.
Kirsten’s Experience vs. James’
Kirsten’s recovery was relatively smooth. Her pain peaked on the first night, then dropped off quickly. By the end of week one, she was walking comfortably and managing her hydration goals.
James’ story was more complex. Due to complications, he had a second surgery and ended up with about 13% of his original stomach remaining. His discomfort lasted longer, particularly around the abdomen, and he had bouts of light-headedness linked to low blood pressure and energy intake.
The contrast between our experiences highlights an important truth: recovery is deeply personal. Even with the same surgeon, same procedure, and same day of surgery, the healing process can look completely different.
When to Contact Your Doctor
While mild discomfort is normal, you should contact your healthcare provider if you experience:
- Sharp or worsening abdominal pain
- Persistent vomiting or nausea
- Fever or chills
- Redness or swelling around incisions
- Difficulty breathing or shoulder pain that doesn’t ease
It’s better to check and be reassured than to wait and worry.
Pain and discomfort after gastric sleeve surgery are temporary, but how you respond to them can shape your recovery. Gentle movement, hydration, and rest make a huge difference – as does patience with your body.
We both remember those first few nights vividly: the gas pains, the awkward sleeping positions, and the exhaustion. But within a week, it all began to fade. Looking back now, the discomfort was such a small price for the long-term health we’ve gained.
Disclaimer: This post reflects our personal experience, not medical advice. Always follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations for pain management and post-surgery care.