What surgeries have the most painful recovery?

Answer 1

Hands down Hemorrhoidectomy. No comparison to childbirth (9lbs 3 ozs 21 inches completely natural and 9 lbs 13 ozs 22 inches long 2 weeks overdue), broken bones, nose job, spinal stenosis, 4 degenerating collapsing cervical disks, back surgery, breast surgery. 3 1/2 weeks after procedure could finally drive for 5 minutes without feeling like wound was going to tear open. I'm not talking about bands or anything like that, but actual surgery. Mine will take months to fully recover. Keep in mind that the wound is not always stitched (mine was not and resembles the Grand Canyon), bleeds regularly for weeks and it's in an area that you use whether you like it or not fairly soon after surgery. After a week I was in ER and put on very strong pain killers that just barely took the edge off for maybe 2 hours. It was a very necessary procedure and I'm so happy I went through it now in my 40's because recovery would only be worse as I age. Be prepared, it will take weeks, possibly 3 or more to return to work. Drink LOTS of water and consume LOTS of fiber. Docusate has sodium and I took too many trying to counteract the affects of the pain killers so try a variety of methods to keep BM's gentle. Gallons of Prune Juice... Plenty of sitz baths or just spend as much time horizontal (gravity adds to the pain) and in warm water as possible. Keep the area pristinely clean. Anything less and the already torturous recovery will only be worse.

Answer 2

I'd have to say I had an abdominal resection for colon cancer where they took out about 2 feet of my large intestine. I also had a total knee replacement, which is very painful also.

I am told one of the most painful is the repair procedure for Pectus Excavatum. It has a recovery time of 6 months, has you on epidurals for 3 days straight afterwards, and essentially makes you feel like you broke every single rib in your chest (the rib is one of the most excruciating things to injure). I am due for the surgery in about a month and the doctor has been prepping me for the intense resulting pain!

Answer 3

The surgery to correct Pectus Excavatum known as the Nuss Procedure can be very painful, especially for people over the age of 18. I was 28 when I had the Nuss Procedure (1 year ago today), and still have random pain & 'soreness' due to the titanium bar in my ribcage. Its the equivalent of having all 24 ribs broken all at once. Your ribs are pushed outward, just to the point of snapping, and held in that position for 2-4 years. Thank goodness I have that 1st year behind me now.

Answer 4

I would think that anything do with a joint replacement, since bone related pain is among the most severe, and likewise, amputation of a major limb since there is total loss of limb and flesh as well. Another thought would anything that would relate to removal of a segment of vein, or skin harvesting for skin graft. (Some told me that this was done to him after his leg was cut off by train.) I have heard that adult circumcision can be QUITE painful.