How Long Does The Gas Pain Last???

[sweetsoutherngirl 32]

I had pretty bad gas pains right after surgery and they went away. As of yesterday they are back and worse than before. I am nine days post op and have moved on to fuller liquids. I am trying the gas-x but it seems to be concentrated in one area on my shoulder. It is like someone is stabbing me in the shoulder. I thought once it was gone, it would not return.

[laddie1229 18]

Sweet, I am 2 months out and had a similar experience. Walk, walk and walk some more also a small dose of pain meds. My gas was gone for good about two weeks post-op. You will get through this and it is so worth it.

[lellow 1,713]

It does return sometimes, especially as you move through the different consistencies of food and your body has to readjust to a new 'process' of digestion. I got gas pain on and off on my shoulder tips for the first few months.

I always had peppermint tea on hand, coz that's what helped me. And walking too. I would suggest if you're prone to gas pain, like I am, eat slowly as you progress through the difference food phases until you're on solids.

I feel for you, I do, but I promise it won't be forever.

[sweetsoutherngirl 32]

Thanks goodness! I was almost in tears from this recent bout. I have been walking so much. I am going to try the tea to see if it brings any relief.

[judych 225]

I had pretty bad gas pains right after surgery and they went away. As of yesterday they are back and worse than before. I am nine days post op and have moved on to fuller liquids. I am trying the gas-x but it seems to be concentrated in one area on my shoulder. It is like someone is stabbing me in the shoulder. I thought once it was gone, it would not return.

its just unreal to think that gas that was introduced into the abdo for surgery would travel to the shoulder. and its always the same according to posts here. i wonder... just off the top of my head.. would someone massaging that area help to dissipate it?? has anyone had someone massage those painful areas on the shoulder ??

[journey4me 23]

I can't emphasize how important it was to walk. I had the same problem and was reading on here about walking to help get rid of them and I didn't listen at first until they got worse....then I walked anytime I could I would walk around the house, do the stairs, go for a walk whatever would keep me moving. It has to come out somehow. I am not a fan of burping or farting, but I'll tell ya what desperate times call for desperate measures! Good luck! Ask the pharmacist for an anti gas medication with the highest amount of Simethacone in it. I can't remember the name of the one I took, but it worked.

[AFB 4]

When I had a C-Section the nurse said to drink Water with lemon to help for gas pains, it worked for me then, I will try it after i have my lapband March 2,..... Nervous and excited and hoping all goes well...

Good luck to you....

[Cazzy 725]

I found a heat pad was the best for my gas pain in the shoulder, i didnt have it bad but all the gas meds didnt touch it as its not in your digestive system so exercise like walking and gentle heat seem to work well..

[pink dahlia 2,513]

if you cant sit with a heating pad , ( if you're at work or something) any drugstore will have a cordless heating pad that you heat up in the microwave . use an Ace bandage and wrap it around your shoulder where the pain is. constant heat and a hot drink should help. good luck !!

[AFB 4]

Why do the shoulders hurt....explain..... please

[judych 225]

Why do the shoulders hurt....explain..... please

..i would like to know that myself. if no one has the answer i will ask my specialist next week when i see him.

[jennifer1 180]

most of us were told that the pain in the shoulder is referred pain and coming from gas pressing on the nerve. well i'm 9 months out and still have that pain from time to time. sometimes i hiccup when i'm full or sometimes my shoulder hurts. it is not as intense as it was when i first was banded. when i first had it i was in tears. nothing seemed to help. i am a massage therapist and trust me i tried massage, joint traction, joint compression, stretching, gas x. walking and nuthn seemed to help me.

sorry i'm sure this wasnt the answer u wanted, but everyone is different, you may be a lucky one and it may go away compltetly.

best wishes to all

jennifer

[AFB 4]

Thanks Jen,

But it still sounds crazy that its in the shoulders.. I guess i will find out soon enough my band date is March 2, 2012

AFB

[Cazzy 725]

I found this article that u may find helpful ....

Shoulder Pain After LAP-BAND Surgery

Wednesday, 02 March 2011 15:24

Nerve pain in the shoulder is not an uncommon reaction after Lap-Band surgery. Although the actual site of the surgery is nowhere near your shoulder, pain can sometimes travel up to this area via a nerve known as the phrenic nerve.

Gas-related nerve pain

During your Lap-Band surgery, your surgeon pumps gas into your abdomen to lift the skin and tissue in order to see better. After surgery, some of the gas can stay trapped against the diaphragm, a muscle that extends across the bottom of the rib cage. Pressure in this area can irritate the phrenic nerve, which controls the movement of the diaphragm. The pain then radiates up the nerve and manifests as discomfort in the shoulder and upper arm.

Phrenic nerve pain caused by gas is typically not extremely painful and should not last longer than a few days to a week following surgery. The best way to alleviate the pain is to get up and walk as much as possible to help relieve the gas in your abdomen. Warm beverages, heating pads, and massage may also provide some relief. Also, be sure to adhere to the post-surgical diet recommended by your doctor or nutritionist. Eating the wrong types of foods immediately after surgery can cause your stomach to become bloated, which will only worsen the nerve pain.

Long-term nerve pain

Some patients may continue to experience shoulder pain long after their surgeries. Overeating or sitting in certain positions may shift the position of your band, causing irritation and further pain. Some patients may experience shoulder pain when lying down or when sitting in a car. For many patients, the pain goes away as they lose more weight. Others continue to experience minor arm and shoulder pain, but find that the benefits of their Lap-Bands outweigh the discomfort.

If you continue to experience shoulder pain months after your surgery, heating pads, pain Patches, or muscle rubs may help. Keep a record of when the pain occurs; if it corresponds to when you eat, try eating smaller but more frequent meals. If the pain persists and interferes with your everyday activities, talk to your doctor.

http://www.beyondtheband.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=31:shoulder-pain-after-lap-band-surgery&catid=3:news&Itemid=19 - 24k - Cached

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

As others have said walk, walk, and walk some more.

See what many don't realize is, the gas isn't in your digestive system. You can take gas meds, and it may help by relieving pressure in your stomach itself if it happens to be gassy too, but the pain you're feeling radiate into your shoulder is from your actual abdominal cavity- not in your stomach. It has be reabsorbed by the body and can't be burped/farted/gas med'd out.

Movement is the only way to help your body get rid of it faster, warm drinks and compresses may help the pain won't help get rid of the air itself.

btw, I had HORRIBLE gas pain after surgery. It was so bad I remember being in bed thinking "oh crap, what have I done?"

Thankfully it did subside and I've felt great ever since.