Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Gaining weight post-surgery and pain distended abdomen



Recommended Posts

I weighed in at 208 on the morning of my surgery and 3 days later I weighed 219! My abdomen is distended and I have severe pain just below my right breast, so bad I can't take a full breath and the pain meds don't touch it. I went to the ER and they performed a CT scan, but found no Fluid in my abdomen. I've had nothing but Water, Protein Drinks and sugar-free Jello and broth. Has anyone else experienced post-surgical complications like this? I finally lost 4 pounds, down to 215, since yesterday and the pain is easing up just a tad, but it's still so bad I can't stand up straight. Any thoughts, anyone? Thanks for your support.

CJ

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Nearly all (if not all) gain weight right after the surgery due to fluids from the hospital and swelling. That part is totally normal. The rest sounds like the gas they used during surgery trying to escape. It is good that you went to the ER just in case, but especially since you said it is easing up now, it very much sounds like that is what it is. It is an odd pain that the pain meds cannot touch. You have to walk, walk, walk. At day 5 it should start to ease up a lot. Try using a heating pad on your back/shoulder. That will ease the pain sometimes. And try Gas-X if you haven't. It does not work on the kind of gas they used to expand your stomach during surgery but it does work on the intestinal gas. If it doesn't ease up more by tomorrow or you need peace of mind, call your surgeon. There is always someone on call. I am not a medical professional, but I can only speak from my experience. Hang in there!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you for your comment. I figured out what the problem is they did a hiatal hernia repair while they were doing the gastric bypass and the pain is from back. Hiatal hernia repairs often take longer to recover from then bariatric surgery itself. This is definitely not gas pain its in one spot and never moves. Nice to meet you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@@cjscarlet thank you for finding that out. I had a hernia repair too, and my esophagus is so sore, even from water!! Thanks for confirming that I am not crazy! Hahahahjaaj

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Nearly all (if not all) gain weight right after the surgery due to fluids from the hospital and swelling. That part is totally normal. The rest sounds like the gas they used during surgery trying to escape. It is good that you went to the ER just in case, but especially since you said it is easing up now, it very much sounds like that is what it is. It is an odd pain that the pain meds cannot touch. You have to walk, walk, walk. At day 5 it should start to ease up a lot. Try using a heating pad on your back/shoulder. That will ease the pain sometimes. And try Gas-X if you haven't. It does not work on the kind of gas they used to expand your stomach during surgery but it does work on the intestinal gas. If it doesn't ease up more by tomorrow or you need peace of mind, call your surgeon. There is always someone on call. I am not a medical professional, but I can only speak from my experience. Hang in there!

Well said !!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I will be heading back to the surgeon's office tomorrow to schedule another EGD to discern the damage from the hernia repair. The pain in that one spot below the breast just will not respond to pain meds after an entire week. I feel better, though, just figuring that out. Wish me luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sorry for the long silence. The excruciating pain I was experiencing was not, in fact, gas. I had gall stones that were impacted in my gall bladder and they had to do emergency surgery to remove it. I urge each of you not to make light of it when someone complains of severe pain that does not change. I waited for 5 days to get the help I needed because I believed it was "just gas." I do appreiciate your support. CJ

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Bless your heart. I understand gallstone pain is just awful! I hope you recover quickly from your surgeries.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

glad to hear you found out what it was. It is unfortunate though that the surgeon did not consider taking out/looking at your gallbladder when he was in there in the first place! Happy that you are now on your way to healthy recovery.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Alisa_S

      Gearing up for my consult 01/14! Starting to get a little nervous.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Goyafigs

      I had VSG 11.20.24 with Miguel Burch, MD Cedars-Sinai and I am 1 month post-op. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • DaisyChainOz

      🥳 Jan 1 2025 - Day 1 of Pre Op, surgery on the 16th! 😬😅
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      Just been waiting until time for my consult with my bariatric surgeon. It's scheduled for Jan 9th. Turns out I won't actually be seeing him. Apparently it'll be with his P.A.             Not sure what to expect. I thought this is where the surgeon would discuss the best surgery option for me. For years I had my heart set on the sleeve, but I've read so many people have issues with reflux - even if they've never had it before - that they've had to be revised to the bypass. I already deal with GERD & take 40 mg of Omeprazole daily, so I started studying about bypass and honestly, it seems like it might be the better choice for me. How can we discuss surgery options if the surgeon is not there?
      What happened at your first consult? Trying to get an idea of what to expect, or maybe I should say, what NOT to expect.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • rinabobina

      I would like to know what questions you wish you had asked prior to your duodenal switch surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×