pitzpatz

:smile2:Yes, you are right. I just wanted to explain in simple terms understandable to all. I'm still suffering a little bit from it when I eat too much. My first fill hasn't done anything for me. regards.

:smile2:When any surgery takes place on the abdomen area, air is pushed into the cavity to prevent the vital organs sticking together to eliminate the chance of the surgeon damaging other organs like the liver for example. This air has to find a way out and it is not is any of the usual systems - digestive - burping or passing gas. It has to come out through other ways and that's why it takes so long. It comes out through the skin (the largest organ in the body) and other ways. Any burping you have is because of the changes taking place in your digestive system. Gas trapped inside the body is very painful and goes up to the shoulders (mainly the left one) and sometimes it hurts the legs too. I took a long haul flight just 4 days after my op. It was an uncomfortable flight but I took everything very slowly and made it! In general the first week is quite uncomfortable but with pain relief is very manageable. As with anything in life - everyone is affected in different ways - but this is not major surgery and is very routine. Mind over matter helps too.

No, you won't need care at home. You won't be eating meals - all you will have are fluids which you can get for yourself. You can even go out shopping the day after but you might not feel like it. Just make sure you have milk, juices, jello, yogourts, tea and coffee at home. No sodas. Don't worry, the pain will be the gas circulating around the abdomen up to the shoulders and will hurt when you try and take a deep breath. It will work it's way out of your body by about day 5; the more you walk the sooner it will go. You will take your meds by yourself. I had surgery at 10.30 am and was at home at 9.30 pm the same day. Today is day 11 for me; had the stitches out yesterday and am so pleased with the tiny slits that obviously will totally disappear eventually. Go for it! Rgds, Diane - I'm the same age as you too.

I wasn't given anything for the gas pains which were really painful for the first 5 days. They work their way out and you will forget it ever happened - I promise! Don't be scared. Today is day 10 for me and I'm back at work and can breathe deep breaths again with no pain. Rgds.

Hi there, I'm new to this forum. I had the surgery 10 days ago. Yes, the gas is very uncomfortable and can be painful too. When you have surgery on the abdomen area the surgeon has to put air inside you to avoid any organs sticking together, so avoiding damage to nearby organs eg. liver etc. This air cannot work its way out through burping or breaking wind so it takes a longer time for it to come out in other ways - skin. Some people have a lot of pain in the shoulder and some have pain in the leg. It takes time to be able to breath a deep breath without having any pain. I am feeling a lot better today and can now breathe more comfortably. Hope this has helped. Rgds.