One week post op, NOT the usual gas pains...

[asksdf 5]

I was banded one week ago, and thought I was having a pretty decent recovery until tonight. I've been feeling 95% better these last couple days, with only a lingering shoulder pain here and there, and some tightness in my chest. All was fine until I lay down for bed...

What I'm guessing is gas builds up BIG TIME in my stomach and chest, stays for about five minutes, then completely goes away for five minutes. Rinse and repeat. No amount of burping out air would help this, and it by far the most uncomfortable thing yet. This went on for about an hour until I got up and walked around. I could burp everything out, it was looking good. I decide I'll try sleeping on my couch as that was helping before with the various minor pains.

Now a new problem arises. Gas (?) is building up to the point where I can't feel anything in my chest. I'm breathing, yet I can't feel my lungs inhaling and exhaling, also my throat seemed like it was closed off. Honestly, I can't even begin to describe how bad that feels...but it's terrible. After a bit of that, I get up off the couch and try and clear out all the gas.

Now it's not working again. Burp burp burp...nothing. I sit down, continue to burp, only occasionally clearing out some gas and making literal breathing room in my chest. Now the gas is still building and there is a very heavy constant pressure on my chest.

Also, every once in a while there is this gurgling sound coming from both sides of my stomach. I don't hunger gurgling sounds....it sounds like something isn't right.

I have the first week appointment scheduled for in about 7 hours with my lapband doctor. But I'm really wondering if I should go admit myself to the hospital right now.

Has anybody had anything like this happen?

[Sue Magoo 71]

Hi:

Never had anything like that except when I had gallbladder pain. Hope you feel better soon.

Please let us know how you make out with the doctor.

Sue

[onthego317 4]

I suffered with remendous gas pains for the first 12 days. I didnt have them in my shoulder like everyone describes. I felt like someone put a hose in my mouth and just kept filling me with air. It bothered me day and night but night was by far more worse when I laid down. I was actually bigger than I was prior to surgery because of this. No amount of burping could get rid of it and it wasnt coming out the other end either. I started taking GasX strips that dissolve on your tongue along with the chewable ones and did get a little relief. Everytime I would try to take even the smallest sip it was like I had no room in my tummy cause it was so full of air and drinking would produce the worst pain in my chest that lingered. I could not drink and ended up dehydrated. In time it went away on its own. I can remember waking up one morning and thinking, OMG, I dont have the gas pains!!

Check with your doctor and get you some GasX. Hope you find relief SOON!!!