Gas Pains Help after Lap Band Surgery

[Snowpixie1965 0]

I am a week post op and the gas pain is killing me. Im walking, dropping Gas X strips like they are candy and Maalox and still no relief. Im scared that this will go on for ever. I can take in anything since if gives me gas. I am barely able to get down my Protein Drinks, and absolutely forget anything creamed. Even drinking Water is killing me. I have called my clinic and they told me to hang in there that it will get better. I haven't even thought of food because the pain is ridiculious. Help. Tell me this is going to get better. Is there anything else that I can be doing to get some relief? How much longer will this go on for.?

[redi2bfatfree 0]

Gas-X strips didn't help me. Walking and Maalox Advanced Maximum Strength Cherry Flavor did wonders! Have you tried Bay leaf tea? Regular Decaf tea with a bay leaf boiled in it. Try walking around the house every 30 minutes and see if you get any relief.

Hope this helps and you feel better soon !!

[SkinnyMiniMe 63]

This may seem like a silly question but do fart out the gas? I am still in pre-op so I have no idea

[KBaum 7]

Hot showers and a heating pad on my shoulder help tremendously! Day 4 was the worse for me. I stopped drinking Protein smoothies-too much air from the blender so I just shook up my Protein Powder with milk. I never had trouble with burping before, but I do now. By 1 week post-op, I was feeling pretty good and by 2 weeks post-op I was back to normal. Hang in there!!

[moni_monica 1]

Day 3 post op was the absolute worst for me with gas. The only thing that helped was a heating pad, steamy shower and prayer!

[B-52 7,113]

There is some confusion when "Gas" is mentioned here.

There are 2 types.

One is the typical gas you get within your digestive system, stomach, bowel, etc. That will result in burping etc. Gas-X and other remedies will help this along.

The OTHER type of gas is air that the surgeon literally pumps under your skin - fat layers that inflate you like a balloon (exaggeration) This lifts the top layers away from your organs making it easier for the surgeon to work. After surgery they do their best to extract as much air as possible before stitching you up. Some are better than others.

You may not feel anything for a few days. Then the "Bubbles" start to accumulate under you ribs, sternum, and eventually move up to your Left shoulder.

There is nothing you can take orally to relieve this! It is a standing order in hospitals to get people with abdominal surgeries up and walking as soon as possible. They say that's the only thing that works. Moving around will speed up the process, not relieve it.

Heating pads can help with the pain. I had wished I could have soaked so I could go to the gym and sit in the HOT whirlpool all day. That would have been great!

Having said that, one can have BOTH types of gas problems after surgery. That's why people say Gas-X "worked a little" or I felt better after a good belch.

But the other gas, you have to ride it out hoping the OR people got most of it out.

[DustyRider 0]

This may seem like a silly question but do fart out the gas? I am still in pre-op so I have no idea

I had my surgery yesterday and I have been burping a LOT. Usually when I move around or shift positions, a huge man burp will come out. I'm hoping that this continues instead of getting the blocked gas, I've had that before with my hysterectomy and it was bad.

[thebandedman 3]

Day five was the worst gas pain for me then it eased up. Walking does help. Also keep a heating pad on your shoulder when resting and take your pain meds as needed. I used more pain med for my shoulder than for any of the stomach incisions.

TBM