Unladylilke Gas (serious question)

[Afterglow 0]

I was banded last Thanksgiving week and have only one problem: terrible gas. I never had gas before being banded and I never had the gas shoulder pains others have right after surgery. But every day, shortly after lunchtime, my abdomen starts bloating and rumbling. I used to try to hold it in until I got home but, the past month or so, it's gotten so bad that I cant. So I go to the ladies room; the gas is so explosive that people on other floors have commented on it. I'm mortified (no one at work knows I'm banded). I use Gas-X but it doesnt work totally and I dont want to have to use it everyday for the rest of my life anyway.

I'm eliminated dairy (which I was able to eat pre-banding) and all other foods known to cause gas. I dont drink carbonated beverages. But I still have large amounts of explosive gas every day. Does anyone else have this problem or have any suggestions?

[Marilyn 0]

I was banded 21/3 and experienced the same problem too. My Dr gave me Simethicone which helps abit

[StrawartS 2]

Anthony had a similar problem with uncontrollable gas. Check out this thread:

http://lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?p=151624#post151624

I believe that he had his band removed and revised to vertical gastrectomy.

How tight are you? I have found that when I am more restricted I am unable to burp...and it has to come out the other end. This is one of the complications they just gloss over during the presentation. Sorry you're having trouble.

[Afterglow 0]

Thanks so much! I'm going to ask my doctor for a prescription for Simethicone.

I dont think I'm too tight. I havent even had a fill yet. I'm planning on scheduling one next month IF I can get a handle on the pb'ing. I still pb a couple of times a week, although it's not for hours and hours like it was a couple of months ago.

Other than pb'ing, I have no discomfort at all, except for the gas. I can -- and do -- burp A LOT (also something I never did before being banded). That's very embarrassing too and I'm hoping it will eventually get better. Thanks again!!

[fiveholts714 0]

Ugh that is awful! Gas X is simethicone. But you probably need presciption strength. I am sorry to hear about your problem.

[vinesqueen 2]

so sorry to hear about your problems, but yes, bandsters become very gassy.

Holding your gas back can damage your intestines, causeing diversritculitus. I know I spelled that wrong. My dad had to have part of his intestines removed because of such bad diversereticulitus, and the doc said it was partly caused by "holding it."

[Lynn B 0]

do you eat anything with sugar alcohol in it? Most sugsr free foods have some. My protien bars had 9g and I was having the worst gas ever. I switched bars and it is a lot better now. Just something to look into

Good luck,

[S@ssen@ch 745]

Sorry to hear you're having such "explosive" gas. Bandsters are prone to increased flatulence.

My doctor told me that if I wait too long in between meals, that increases the amount of gas. Just a thought. Are you skipping Breakfast or waiting too long in between Breakfast and lunch? Maybe you need a light snack in between these 2 meals.

Also, Vinesqueen is ABSOLUTELY right. Holding it in is not good for your colon and can lead to diverticulitis. In fact, my grandmother died from complications associated with undiagnosed diverticulitis. So, if you feel the rumblings and feel the need to let loose......find a private place and let 'er rip. It's a human thing to do whether you are mortified by it or not...Everybody does it.

You can try the simethicone. I suppose you could even try Beano, but bottom line you are gonna have some gas (bandster or not). I suggest finding out how to master the art of the "silent but deadly". :spy: Relax, and let it go. :guess

[j.s. 0]

I have the same problem. It has gotten much, much better now but it was really bad the first 8 months of surgery. Isnt if funny, I didnt have that shoulder pain either. I talked with my doc and was told because we take in so much less food the gas builds up, it has to go one way or the other, lucky us we get the other end. I must say it has gotten much better than it was, so we can only hope it does stop after a while.

[Anthony 1]

I did have terrible gas with the Band. Now that I am bandless and have a VG, I have none. I still consume the same quantity of whey Protein, which was supposedly the cuplrit of the gas.... It was not, the gas was indeed caused by the band.

[ralheit 0]

I have the same problem. God forbid I should cough. It's very embarassing. Especially because I work in an office in fairly close quarters to my co-workers.

[Jen RN 0]

afterglow, i had the same problem out of the blue preband but after i participated in a medical liquid diet. it was awful and painful. so i eliminated all foods and only ate 1 or 2 things at a time and watched for what caused the gas as i added things back into my diet. turns out it was sweet and low and other artificial sweetners. once i quit drinking them the gas was gone. now post band i do notice some but it is managable and not painful.

[Stitchy 0]

I haven't been burping, but it definately is finding an alternative orafice! when I was at home recovering it was no problem. fart on!!

But now that I am back at work, it's a little different. I have my own office, but it never fails that just after I let one rip, someone comes in. :second:

I'm thinking of hanging a skull and crossbones on my door. :laugh :laugh

[nursekathy2u 0]

Gas, Gas, Gas!! Ugh!!! Count me in too.. Here is the bad thing. My husband has a bad gas phobia.. I am dead serious.. He believes that you inhale gas particles and they build up in your lungs.. Everytime I pass gas he freaks out and covers his nose and mouth.. Sometimes I just cant make it to the bathroom and then again sometimes it is just plain funny to jack with my husband!!

On a serious note, people who swallow alot can have gas build up. People with reflux swallow alot. And so do people who feel like something is in their throat or esophagus.. You might try paying attention to your swallowing habits.. not that you could prevent frequent swallowing but it might answer your question as to "why". The only other solution is simethicone products..

Kathy

[NJChick 3]

Yep... the lovely side effects of the band LOL. I second the notion about not eating to much sugar free foods, they are known for giving ya additional gas / intestinal problems.

I am always running to the bathroom here at work letting them rip.. if i don't I get so sick and like Vines said, it can cause damage.