Weird Chest Feeling..

[Neka 23]

I just banded five days again and I'm having these fluttering chest bubbles that take a little of my breath away each time. Is this normal? In addition to that I drink my liquids and not even 1/4 the way done i fill really full and uncomfortable. I have not had a full yet. Oh and the left shoulder and neck pains...wth? Someone please explain...have I dine something wrong, is this normal? Should I call my doctor?

[pink dahlia 2,513]

I don't know about the chest bubbles. As far as your liquids you are still swollen 5 days out and that MAY be why you fill full so quick. As far as the shoulder/neck pains ? A lot of people get that as its the leftover anesthiesa gas (spelling ?) that will eventually leave your system in a week or so. Just to be on the safe side , and so you feel better, id call your Dr. so he/she knows whats going on and can put your mind at ease. Good luck !!

[GoingforGoal 1,734]

Hello Neka, Pink is correct and I'll try to add some thoughts. When you have surgery they put CO2 gas into your abdomen to expand the area so the doctors can visualize and manipulate your organs safely. Although they do remove the gas, there will be residual gas left in the abdomen cavity. This will rise (it is gas afterall) into your chest cavity causing a great deal of discomfort. Some people use heating pads for some relief. Some other things to do: stay on top of your pain meds to assist you with this discomfort, continue to breath deeply even if it causes pain (we are all at risk for things like pneumonia after surgery and so we have to address those issues along with pain management), and stay mobile. The more you move the more blood flow the quicker your body can eliminate the gas through reabsorption. As for filling full with liquids. Yep, welcome to bandland. Right now you are in an acute phase after surgery where there is inflammation at the site of the band. This is causing a sensation of restriction. Hopefully this is what you'll feel as you get fills and try to achieve 'green'. You will see varied experiences from other bandsters who say they feel no restriction and those who can't get their daily allotment of cals or fluids in. There's many reasons for this as well 1) some docs fill the band during surgery with up to 3cc of Fluid some do not put any in leaving their patients at 0cc to start, 2) our anatomy is different. Some of our esophogus' are wider than others so the band is not a one size fit all gadget after all , 3) different bands, different surgical techniques, excessive manipulation, additional surgical revisions (ie hernia) blah blah can all have a slight effect on what we sense post op. What you are feeling is normal. Focus on the resistance and learning to eat/drink to the band's comfort. Don't force fluids if you feel restriction. Reduce volume to sips if need be. As inflammation goes down you'll feel less restriction and more capable of drinking/eating with ease. Hopefully this carries you into mushies because others are postop day 2 and feeling wide open and starved. Good luck hon

[Neka 23]

Thank y'all this really calms my nerves. Yes!! ?

[Crayolaphoenix 24]

The arm pain is, undoubtedly, what they call "referred gas pain". Basically, there is a nerve in your abdominal cavity that when gas puts pressure on it, the pain refers up to your arm. I'm a nurse, and I had a hysterectomy 3 weeks ago. The arm pain was worse than the incisions. ok.. Let me qualify that.. the caffeine headache I woke up with was the WORST.. the arm pain a VERY close 2nd. It took several days before the arm pain went away.. my right arm was pretty much useless...

[Liz W 11]

I don't know but I still have my left shoulder pains, one year after the surgery and "port" pains as well

[Crayolaphoenix 24]

I don't know but I still have my left shoulder pains, one year after the surgery and "port" pains as well

"Port Pains"??? What are you speaking of woman? omg.. my husband didnt' mention this. I am scared...

[Neka 23]

I don't know but I still have my left shoulder pains' date=' one year after the surgery and "port" pains as well[/quote']

Ok so do they know what is still causing your pain after so long? Was it right after your lapband?

[Neka 23]

The arm pain is' date=' undoubtedly, what they call "referred gas pain". Basically, there is a nerve in your abdominal cavity that when gas puts pressure on it, the pain refers up to your arm. I'm a nurse, and I had a hysterectomy 3 weeks ago. The arm pain was worse than the incisions. ok.. Let me qualify that.. the caffeine headache I woke up with was the WORST.. the arm pain a VERY close 2nd. It took several days before the arm pain went away.. my right arm was pretty much useless...[/quote']

Thanks so much!! This is the absolutely best app ever. I have learned so much and everyone have so kind and I must say consistent. Thanks again. I was fearing I have drank too much or cough so hard things went wrong. Oh I laughed so hard the day after after watching "Identity Theft" I thought I was going to be back in surgery.

[Liz W 11]

"Port Pains"??? What are you speaking of woman? omg.. my husband didnt' mention this. I am scared...

Don't be scared I can feel my port, they told me its attached to our muscles and when I exercise I can feel it, and I left it like that. But when I lay down I can feel it and if I drink fluids before I lay down it kind a "hurts" Next week I'll see the doctor and I'll ask him again, OK?

[Neka 23]

Don't be scared <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> I can feel my port' date=' they told me its attached to our muscles and when I exercise I can feel it, and I left it like that. But when I lay down I can feel it and if I drink fluids before I lay down it kind a "hurts" Next week I'll see the doctor and I'll ask him again, OK?[/quote']

LMAO...port pains. I said the same thing! We gone be fine.

[Neka 23]

Don't be scared <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> I can feel my port' date=' they told me its attached to our muscles and when I exercise I can feel it, and I left it like that. But when I lay down I can feel it and if I drink fluids before I lay down it kind a "hurts" Next week I'll see the doctor and I'll ask him again, OK?[/quote']

LMAO...port pains. I said the same thing! We gone be fine.

[Liz W 11]

You go girl!!!

[Crayolaphoenix 24]

Don't be scared I can feel my port, they told me its attached to our muscles and when I exercise I can feel it, and I left it like that. But when I lay down I can feel it and if I drink fluids before I lay down it kind a "hurts" Next week I'll see the doctor and I'll ask him again, OK?

LMAO...port pains. I said the same thing! We gone be fine.

Thanks. I, definitely had a WTH moment there. LOL

[tinare25 2]

Oh my goodness! I thought I was the only one that had those "chest bubbles". Everyone I talked to who had LB had no idea what I was talking about. I tried tums and other antacids but nothing worked. For awhile I wondered if I made a mistake getting the LB. But from my expirience it went away about 2-3 weeks after surgery. I never figured out what was causing but was so glad when it went away. Good Luck!