Harder than I Expected...

[CatLady0626 45]

I was banded Friday January 18 and so far, so good. I've been talking short walks, sticking to the liquids diet, and taking small sips/bites. I'm glad I've made this choice, but healing has been harder than I was expecting.

I'm not sure if what I am feeling is gas pain or something else. Its this tight, squeezing feeling inside. Sometimes it happens after eating or drinking, and sometimes it happens for no apparent reason. It's quite uncomfortable but lasts only a few seconds. Maybe these are hunger pains in my new sore stomach?

Other than these pains, I haven't had a bowel movement since before surgery. I feel like I maybe could but it hurts to push! Lol sorry if that's TMI

[LapBandit2013 162]

Hey Catlady, I was banded on the 18th, too! I also have not had a BM, and was wondering about that.

[DidThis4Me 26]

Hang in there, CatLady. The pains could be gas still trapped inside your body. I had horrible gas too, but I also had uncomfortable pain when I took deep breaths. I had one of those things I had to exhale into several times a day to increase my lung capacity and avoid pneumonia. Can't remember the name of it, but using that, along with walking the floor and taking gas-x strips helped a whole lot.

For the BM, adding Benefiber to your liquids should make it soft enough to go without having to strain. It helped me. Good luck! :-)

[TracieR 88]

Try miralax...it helped me tremendously after surgery. Walk, walk, walk. The more you move the quicker you will get rid of all that gas inside of you, which sounds like is the cause of your discomfort. Gas x didn't work for me...but does work for some so worth a try. Best wishes as you start your new life!!

[hely88 883]

I agree with mirilax. It is what my doctors suggest. It will get better so hangin there. Make sure if you are really concerned about something call our doctor! Best of luck.

[brannewmee 103]

I was banded Friday January 18 and so far' date=' so good. I've been talking short walks, sticking to the liquids diet, and taking small sips/bites. I'm glad I've made this choice, but healing has been harder than I was expecting.

I'm not sure if what I am feeling is gas pain or something else. Its this tight, squeezing feeling inside. Sometimes it happens after eating or drinking, and sometimes it happens for no apparent reason. It's quite uncomfortable but lasts only a few seconds. Maybe these are hunger pains in my new sore stomach?

Other than these pains, I haven't had a bowel movement since before surgery. I feel like I maybe could but it hurts to push! Lol sorry if that's TMI [/quote']

Just curious you said bites as in your chewing or small spoonfuls? I didn't have my first BM until after a week. The doc said I could have blended food n I made myself a Soup with lots lots of veggies. A day later I went but it was still very hard. I actually flooded my mom's bathroom with it. Sorry to those who get grossed out.lol. I really didn't get an appetite till day 7 n I'm not sure about your pain. I did hear a suggestion about pain tho.. if you have an electric blanket I heard it works like a body heating pad n it's been helping with the pain. I didn't have too much pain but when I walked it seemed to come out through both ends. I would just call peeps n walk around my house.

[hely88 883]

Ask your doctor if you can take stool softners. If so go for the cheaper store brands.

[vlp1968 83]

I used Milk of Magnesia and it worked great. The pain pills can cause some Constipation. Hang in there, you will feel better soon I'm sure. Congrats on your surgery!

[Sharpie 3,306]

milk of mag is the thing I used. it worked .. that bloated feeling was eased with a movement. pain comes and goes, I quit taking pain pills (had to grind them up yukky) I am taking liquid tylenol if I get uncomfortable... I am still on Soups, Protein Drinks, oatmeal come thursday I will be moving up to puree's... not super hungry but miss eating....otherwise I am getting better each day.. I was banded on the 15th.

[GmasDolly 10]

Hang in there' date=' CatLady. The pains could be gas still trapped inside your body. I had horrible gas too, but I also had uncomfortable pain when I took deep breaths. I had one of those things I had to exhale into several times a day to increase my lung capacity and avoid pneumonia. Can't remember the name of it, but using that, along with walking the floor and taking gas-x strips helped a whole lot.

For the BM, adding Benefiber to your liquids should make it soft enough to go without having to strain. It helped me. Good luck! :-)[/quote']

It's called a spirometer. I have one too. My gas is so bad, I want to die. I also just got banded today. Any suggestions for the sore throat, sore back and gas?

[CHEZNOEL 4,061]

Miralax and walk. Some of the pain could be intestinal. Don't let it go too long before you have a good BM. Benefiber did nothing for me.

[CatLady0626 45]

Thanks for all the input. I finally gave in and took some milk of mag. this morning and it worked! Walking is what is helping me with the gas pains I think. I've also been taking chewable gas-x but I don't know if that's really doing anything.

I'm struggling to get all my Protein but I'm doing my best! I'm getting close at least.

[GmasDolly 10]

Thanks for all the input. I finally gave in and took some milk of mag. this morning and it worked! Walking is what is helping me with the gas pains I think. I've also been taking chewable gas-x but I don't know if that's really doing anything.

I'm struggling to get all my Protein but I'm doing my best! I'm getting close at least.

How many days post op are you? Glad that the milk of mag helped. I used a laxative cause it was a little cheaper for me. Took 12 hrs but did help.

[CatLady0626 45]

How many days post op are you? Glad that the milk of mag helped. I used a laxative cause it was a little cheaper for me. Took 12 hrs but did help.

I took the milk of magnesia 4 days post op to help. I'm now 11 days out and have no problems in that area.

[Blondie638 98]

Im feeling that same pain! Out of the blue ill get this pressure i assume where my band is. Then it feels like i hate to hiccup. But i dont want to bc thatll hurt and ill just be taking in more air. Then its like i can make it into a small burp. But its painful. And i get it all the time. I hope it goes away soon :/