Banded 3-6-14, Severe Pain. Help?

[Jennifer Michelle Plumley 15]

Hello ladies and gentleman, I was banded 3-6-14. They told me the surgery would be nothing, and I would be able to return back to college the following Monday. I have been suffering severe pain. The incisions aren't hurting, I believe it's the built up gas that is trapped inside. Is there anyway to relieve this? I have tried walking around, but that tends to make me nauseous. Thanks for helping in advance

[Bandista 7,466]

If you are experiencing severe pain you should call your doctor -- they will want to know! Are you on painkillers that could be making you nauseous? The walking is so important to release trapped gas. There is also the Happy Baby yoga pose -- basically laying on your back and rocking around, arms and legs in the air like a baby. Try rolling on to your left side. Hope you feel better very soon!

[lisacaron 5,075]

Hi Jennifer,

If you are in terrible pain, my first suggestion is to give your doctor a call ASAP.

Moving around is going to help move the gas that is used during the surgery. I know it's unflattering but passing it is what will ultimately bring relief.

Here are some tips and tricks that will help break things up and also help sooth your stomach. Surgery is not nothing, and who ever told you that should be slapped. This was a major surgery to your organs and though you should heal well and quickly it's not nothing and you need the time, the rest and the TLC to allow your body to heal up correctly.

Warm tea (decaf) no milk will help you to break up the gas. You can sweeten with sugar substitute of your choice but try to steer clear of the dairy in it. Lemon is great if you like it that way.

A heating pad to put on your back and lie on will also help with the soothing and if you have a hot Water bottle you can put that on your tummy but not on the incisions. If the port is hurting and a bit swollen ice packs work awesome on that.

You can take some gas ex and/or some beano, if your drinking lots of Protein shakes and or pudding with milk products try taking some lactaid that will help you to break up the milk Protein which causes extra gas if your sensitive to it. You may not have been before surgery but after while you heal you may be more so. Get the chewable ones so you don't have to swallow pills.

Ice pops (sugar free) are also helpful for internal swelling and healing and they taste pretty good too.

Good luck and as I said in the first line if the pain is unbearable please call your doctor and check in with the office for advice.

Feel better soon.

[Cat225 93]

I had terrible, intense pain from the gas inside my stomach after my surgery. It was very bad for the first few days, and did not completely go away for almost two weeks. My left shoulder feel like I was being stabbed. I remember how bad my stomach felt, but the only thing that helped me was time. I ate Gas X and walked around, but they didn't help much. Even the painkillers I was prescribed did nothing to help. I even called my doctor's after hours line thinking there was something wrong with band. I'm sorry, I know this isn't what you want to hear. I was also surprised at the severity of the pain post op. Hang in there! Call your doctor just in case it's something else!

[fghtffyrdmns 17]

Hello ladies and gentleman, I was banded 3-6-14. They told me the surgery would be nothing, and I would be able to return back to college the following Monday. I have been suffering severe pain. The incisions aren't hurting, I believe it's the built up gas that is trapped inside. Is there anyway to relieve this? I have tried walking around, but that tends to make me nauseous. Thanks for helping in advance

Hey Jennifer!! I just wanted to let you know that I am experiencing the same things!! I was supposed to go back to work today, but I just couldn't take the pain of the gas... I have been swallowing gasX strips like they are vicodin.. which I have also been swallowing a bunch of.

Sadly, I have no advice for you... But, just know that, you are not alone. : ) We were banded together, we will be in pain together. lol

[lisacaron 5,075]

I will be totally honest with you I was off for 10 days after my band surgery and I wish I had taken the full 2 weeks. I was pretty tired when I started back to full days of work.

Go easy on the pain and meds and try to switch to tylenol, because you are only binding things up with vicodine and it's going to make passing gas and moving bowels that much harder.

Best of luck to you all and know that soon this too shall pass

[toodlelooz 6]

I got banded on Mar 7th and also am experiencing severe gas pain. I thought I was going to be Superwoman and go back to work, lickety split..no issues. WRONG! I went back to work today (with the gas issue building up even more-so throughout the day). By quitting time, I was hurting BIGTIME! I came home and took my meds and the Gas-X. It helped a bit. The more I read on this website (which I am so grateful to have found) the less worried I feel. From all that I've read, I truly believe it's a gas issue. Yes, I'm sore/tender, very delicate around the port area especially, but I really don't feel "pain" from the incisions. I feel the pain (like heartburn) right in the middle of my chest and sometimes under my left breast and around to my back. All of which seem to be related to the gas issue. Why I thought I was going to be so "princess-like" and not be dealing with "GAS", but a princess I am not. All I want to do is let one rip...BELCH of course (nothing seems to want to come out the other...sorry for details but we are in a "safe" place...right?). Anyway, I'm right there with you and so glad to share. Hope it helps you just a bit. Hang in there....everyone says this is so worth the pain we go through. So far, I'm content. See you around....

[kmb67 14]

I was just banded a few days ago and still feel like I got hit by a bus! Thought I would also bounce back quickly, but that hasn't been the case. The gas has gotten a little better, but I get so stiff from laying and sitting. I'm taking regular Tylenol and Gas X strips. I keep thinking of the end results, but am bummed I'm not bouncing back as fast as I had thought.

[chrissy10 159]

I am hoping you are feeling better by now. I was banded on 3/4/14 and I returned back to work on 3/10/14. I also had the bad gas pains. If I tried to go back to work sooner I do not think I could have. I am doing so much better now and even started working out. Good luck to you.