United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

I know this is silly- but it is a little frightening.

How bad is the pain?? Like on a scale from 1-10- (1 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain imaginable)

My first tendon tranfer in my lower arm was not that bad. It hurt for a few days after the surgery if I remember right, but was not bad at all. After 2 weeks they took the splint/bandages off and put on the hard cast. It was a tender after they put the cast on mostly because they kinda messed with it when they were getting the cast on. But that was okay after a couple hours.

When they took the cast off 4 weeks later, I had just a wrist splint to wear for a couple weeks after when I wasn't doing PT. PT hurt a bit but it was fine after a couple sessions.

ANYWAY- the doctor that is doing my shoulder transfer said that it will be much worse that the first one. It has me worried. Am I going to be in constant pain? Will I constantly have to be taking IB profen?
How long does the pain last?? Will it be awful taking the brace (staute of liberty) off and on when changing clothes?
I have a pretty high pain tolerance...but I just want to know what I am getting into. I know it will be worth it in the end! That's why I am doing it!! LOL

Thanks for listening to me again! LOL

Every one is different when it comes to pain. So we can't really tell you how much or not it will hurt. No one feels pain the same way, so not easy to really what surgery would be more painful.

But if you need pain meds, TAKE THEM! Do not wait for the pain to be intense, take it when you feel it coming on or the previous dose wearing off. This will keep your body happy and you will heal faster because you won't be tired out from being in pain.

Good Luck!
Marieke (31, LOBPI)

After my last surgery when the anestesia wore off I was in pain bad probably a 9 or 10 it hurt to breathe even. but after a couple doses of pain med (after the morphine experience) I was much better. I only had 5 days of pain and havent taken anything since and I am 12 weeks post op on Wednesday! I have a really high pain tolerance bit I will admit the first few days sucked! I was much better after they took the drains out but still had to take some pain meds.

Riding in a car the first few days was not fun either! It was better if I was driving but still not fun.

Dont be afraid to take some pain meds but I am pretty sure they will tell you not to take ibuprofen because that has asprin which is a blood thinner. so hopefully tylenol works for your pain.
here is to hopeing that you dont have pain!
Good luck,
Amy 20 years old ROBPI from MN

Thanks guys!

Oh- How long did you stay in the hospital for after it?? They told me I might be able to go home the same day- but they'd be prepared to keep me overnight if the pain was too intense.

If I were you, I'd stay overnight at least one night.. 2 if the pain is too intense.

I was in for 5 days total, 1 before surgery and 1 is the day of and then 3 days more because they could not control the pain enough for me to go home with just codeine/tylenol mix.

Marieke

I stayed two nights, got to the hospital at 7:30 am then had surgery at about 10 to 2 stayed that night and one more for pain. I could have gone home the day after surgery but I felt like crap so I opted to stay the extra night.

dont rush your self especially not after a big surgery! Take the night if you need it!
Hugs,
Amy

pain is unaviodable, but suffering from that pain is what is in ur hands. what i'm trying to say is that u can choose to suffer from pain or u can set ur mind not to suffer from it.

by the way i'm also looking forward to have a muscle transfer surgery at the end of the year. so ur feedback will help alot.

Mostafa 22y ROBPI