What is all this gas pain?

newband · March 23, 2007

HI,

This might be a stupid question. BUt I keep reading about people suffering from terrible gas pains after surgery. How bad is it and why does it occur, if you aren't eating? I am having my surgery April 6th and am a bit nervous about the pain.

tanderson · March 23, 2007

Hi Newband,

I haven't had my surgery yet, but I have had my gallbladder removed via laproscope. The gas pain does not come from your digestive track. It is due to the surgery itself. In order for the surgeon to see his way around your abdomen throught the scope, he has to inflate the abdomen with gas...I don't remember what kind though. Anyway, after the surgery is over, it is inevitable that there will be some gas left in your abdominal cavity. This normally takes 5-7 days to be absorbed by the body during which time you will have pain, sometimes severe, in your stomach and or shoulders. The pain comes from the pressure the gas exerts on nerves in your abdomen. But I understand the Docs do a good job of prescribing adequate meds for pain control. Hope this helps.

T

jubjub · March 23, 2007

Thaks for the above, that helped me out. Had mine done on Wed morning and having a problem w/ the gas. Scared to try and "get rid of it" due to I can feel the band inside me moving when I try. Just keep burping and am thankful when it's a good burp to release some pressure. Been eating hella tums though.

p.s. the pain medication is the best