Severe gas pains...what is the cause?

[krstjump03 0]

I am about 5 weeks post op and up til this point have had no problems or pain. I have just started adding solid foods back slowly....as instructed by my doctor. I am very careful to eat stick to my portions too. That said...this is the 2nd time I have had excrutiating gas pains. This time it started yesterday evening around 3...i have been taking tums/gasx on and off since then and still in pain this morning. i have been moving around, walking etc...everything but jumping jacks I guess. Any ideas what caused it and what i can do to fix it? Help....

[BetsyB 9]

Some foods are sort of notorious for gas production--Beans, certain veggies, etc. So this may be a contributor, depending on what "normal food" means to you.

I found, post-banding, that I've become lactose intolerant. Anything containing milk (except yogurt and cheese; the bacterial cultures in those prevent the problem) makes me terribly gassy. It's my understanding that this is not unusual post-bariatric surgery (but more common after RNY).

I also have NO tolerance for sugar; I found this out when treating my just-discovered lactose intolerance with Rolaids---it didn't even occur to me to be concerned about the amount of sugar in a Rolaid, but it caused great gastrointestinal distress. So, two new intolerances identified at once! (Fun.)

BUT--the most common reason for gas is swallowing too much air when eating. I assume you're not using straws or drinking during meals, since your doctor probably forbade these both. But also remember to chew slowly and carefully and don't talk while eating. (I don't mean don't talk during the meal--just not between putting a bite in your mouth and swallowing.)