Help and Advice

[Myskinny]

Hi, I had my surgery on Friday and just wondering when I will start to feel normal again. I have upper gas pain in my chest and can't seem to get it to go away unless I take pain medicine. Does anyone have any advice for me? I am walking and trying to ignore it but it just keeps coming around to bother me. I know it isn't the same for everyone but how long till I feel the elated feeling I keep hearing about?

[SDGIRL]

Hi, I had my surgery on Friday and just wondering when I will start to feel normal again. I have upper gas pain in my chest and can't seem to get it to go away unless I take pain medicine. Does anyone have any advice for me? I am walking and trying to ignore it but it just keeps coming around to bother me. I know it isn't the same for everyone but how long till I feel the elated feeling I keep hearing about?

It took me about 10 days to feel myself again. Hope you feel better soon.

[vickiruss]

Not sure how long it took me to feel gas pain free. Try Gas-X strips, and heat to the bothering shoulder. I also took liquid ibuprofen. Another thing i noticed was that the ibuprofen helped so I am not sure if it was gas as much as it was pain, mine was in the left shoulder which is the side of the port, they probably had that arm way up over my head to be able to get to that area in the OR so it may be some muscle pain as well as gas.

hope this helps! :-?

[Babe]

it took me about a week or so for the gas to completely go. gas-x strips became my best friend. same with walking for about 10 minutes every hour. if you can get your spouse, or parent or friend to massage you on your shoulders and back that will really help. get them to include some firm tapping in the massage. for some reason that really helped break up the gas.

[MichelleRG]

I just got banded last Thursday (3/19), and my gas pains only lasted a couple of days. However, now I'm starting to feel vaguely nauseous all the time. Did this happen to anyone else? Is this normal? Any solutions?

Also, am I supposed to take the fiber every day? I feel that I'm "loose" enough already--won't that exacerbate the situation?

[fatfreeme]

Hi!

I had my surgery on the 17th. What people have said is true. Gas-X strips are a bandsters best friend the first couple of weeks. Walk, walk, walk and sip, sip, sip. I found a routine that has worked well in controlling my gas. I take two strips first thing in the morning. I drink room temp liquids early on and then get a bit cooler throughout the day (seems to feel better when things aren't so cold). I would take strips at noon and right before I go to bed. I also found that if I sleep propped up on pillows my stomach handles the gas better.

As for the fiber, remeber you are on a pure liquid diet so fiber shouldnt be necessary. The Dr. told me that I wouldnt feel hungry for about the first week. Which is true. Fiber I was told was for hunger pains and for good bowel movements. But I think that is for after the clear liquid phase. I did talk to Dr. S about the being really "loose" he said that was to be expected given you are taking in only liquids.

I just started the liquid yogurt phase so I cant comment on any changes as its only been two hours!

Good luck..it gets better!