HeatherO

I have a ton of gas too, from either end. However, I can keep it silent and un-noticable to others . . . but I know it is there. I have not been concerned enough to try and take anything for it other than gas-x right after surgery. So what is up with that??? We have a band around our stomachs but I dont see why it changes the gas levels so much. I never had gas problems before. The other thing that seems strange to me is that I dont drink soda any more but I used to drink many diet sodas every day. To me that seems like I should have less gas since I am now eating/drinking carbonation free. I have also done high Protein atkins in the past and it did not have that problem at that time. The diet is the same, just less of it. Does anyone know if there is a medical reason for the gas? It seems to be affecting most people so I am really curious now.

It seems very early. Everything I have ever read is that you should wait at least 6 weeks before the first fill so that your stomach has time to heal sufficiently. I read that fills too early may increase your likelihood to have erosion or slippage down the road. On the other side of the coin, by about 4 weeks out a lot of us have reacquired voracious appetites and have disheartening plateaus or even worse . . . gains. My doctor told me that any weight you lose before the first fill is a bonus and not to be too concerned. If you are filled early, you may get to skip the bandster lack of fill hell. If you decide to go that early, I hope that you are not too far away from Tijuana so that you can get back quickly if something doesnt feel right. You will also have your own signs that you are ready for a fill that you should watch for . . . such as your restriction level and how the diet is working for you, how much weight you are losing. Doctors should always know best but this suggestion seems a little outside of the norm. By 15 days out most of our surgeons still have us on mushies or soft foods . . . if it were my decision I would wait a little longer. Now that I have been through it I can tell you that I felt very different 2 weeks out as compared to 4 or 6 weeks out. There is something to be said about giving yourself time to heal . . . specially since this is a long term solution. Best of luck :0)

I think it is still swelling that prevents you from feeling it. I was able to feel it much more a few weeks out. Now it is easy to locate.

I have the same issue since I have been banded. Occasional upset stomach. Sometimes Water makes me nauseous which doesnt make a lot of sense. Filled or unfilled, it is not any different. It is diminishing slightly over time. Hopefully there is a good answer out there we can both share :0)

Maybe you just need to shake things up. Vary protein, food varieties, exercise, etc. I can usually get past a plateau just by doing something different.

Funny you should mention that . . . I was miserable with shoulder pain for a couple of weeks. I did have a significant hiatal hernia that was repaired during surgery. The doctor never mentioned that it would cause more than the abdominal gas release shoulder pain mentioned. Others I have spoken to have mentioned the pain but it was not that big a deal . . . now I see why mine could have been so different. Thanks for bringing it up :0)

This may or may not be related but I just wanted to share. I had basal cell carcinoma, a small cancerous mole on the side of my nose. It was so small, it was not even noticable. I had surgery to repair it, only minor surface surgery, and afterwards I was numb for months on the side of my nose. As feeling came back, it just felt different. The doctor said it can happen, even if you are only having a very minor procedure done. Abdominal surgery isnt minor so I assume it may be along the same line.

I was just banded on 1/25/2008 so i am a little further out. I can say that shoulder pain for me started . . . and was really really bad one week out. It felt like I had pulled something. Even if I wasnt moving the pain could sometimes be terrible. It was always the worst after eating of if I had a lot of gas. It took about two weeks to get back to normal. Tylenol did not help it but hot baths (not submerging my stomach of course because of the healing incisions) and my husband's massage helped a lot. I read that it was normal to have a little shoulder pain after surgery, but I never knew it could go weeks out. I talked to the doctor and she said that it was normal to have some pain in the shoulder (usually left) but that if it continued I should be seen. I think we are all different in how much it affects us, but the shoulder pain in general is very common. Thank goodness I am feeling better now.

I was just banded on 1/25/2008 so i am not that far in yet. I can say that shoulder pain for me started . . . and was really really bad one week out. It felt like I had pulled something. Even if I wasnt moving the pain could sometimes be terrible. It was always the worst after eating of if I had a lot of gas. It took about two weeks to get back to normal. Tylenol did not help it but hot baths (not submerging my stomach of course because of the healing incisions) and my husband's massage helped a lot. I read that it was normal to have a little shoulder pain after surgery, but I never knew it could go weeks out. Thank goodness I am feeling better now. GasX is wonderful. They have strips that melt on your tounge. Even now I take them sometimes. My gas is not as uncomfortable as it once was, but I still have no lack of it. :0)