Question about gas

[laurashelby 8]

Lovely topic, huh? haha Anyway.....do all the gas problems I'm reading about come from the anesthesia or does it have to do with the fact that most of our stomach is gone? How long does it last? I did get some of those GasX strips to bring to the hospital with me.

[Bufflehead 6,358]

The post-op gas pains are from the CO2 they pump into your body cavity to make laparoscopic surgery possible. Gas-X strips work on a different kind of gas in your digestive system, not on CO2 surgical gas, at least per my surgeon. He said that walking and rocking (when seated) are the only things that will help gas to escape. A heating pad placed where the gas is hurting you (usually in the shoulder area) can help reduce the pain. Usually the gas pains are gone within a couple of days. Mine were gone in under 24 hours. Good luck!

[laurashelby 8]

Thanks, @@Bufflehead! I wonder if some people are more prone to it? I've had my appendix out as well as a hernia repair and don't remember gas being an issue. I'm up for walking though. Glad it doesn't last too long!

[BeagleLover 1,020]

Demand that your surgeon remove the gas before they close you up. Mine did. I had no gas problems or pain.

[laurashelby 8]

Good idea, @BeagleLover....I didn't even know that was an option!

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

Demand that your surgeon remove the gas before they close you up. Mine did. I had no gas problems or pain.

I don't think you have to demand this. My surgeon said he removes all he can but they can't get it all.

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Demand that your surgeon remove the gas before they close you up. Mine did. I had no gas problems or pain.

Most if not all surgeons try to expel most of the gas from your body before closing you up. It just doesn't always work. I had no problems with gas either.

I also think OP is confusing the gas from the surgery with the acid out new tummy's produce. The gas is from the surgery That is best treated by being active and walking, The acid is produced by our natural stomach juices. This can intensify as it breaks down food. When our stomachs were the original size it wasn't as much of an issue. Now we have the same amount of acid being produced in a much smaller space. Hence the acid can get uncomfortable. That is what is treated by PPI's like omeprazole and Gas-X strips.

Edited January 16, 2015 by BLERDgirl