Gas Pain

[valdimar]

Hi,

I had my lap band surgery on Oct 20, 2008. The following week after surgery I had a lot of, what I was told, was gas pain up under my left collar bone and shoulder area. It has now been 4 weeks. The pain comes and goes, comes when I eat, goes when I don't. Some things are extremely painful (strawberries) while the rest of food is just painful. The pain goes away if I don't eat anything for about 4 hours and I never have it when I wake up but as soon as I eat---- OUCH!!!!!!!! I have tried Beano and gas ex but no relief.

Is this supposed to be happening and if it is what can I do to relieve the pain? If it is not any suggestions?

Thanks for any help

Laurie

[JazzyJude]

Hi Laurie,

Before my surgery on Oct 8 at OCC, I had veen listening to everyone here on the forum to remember to sip, sip, sip and WALK, WALK, WALK! I practically chanted this all the time! LOL

One of the reason why I didn't have too much gas pains is because I was to have my surgery on Oct 9, but Dr. Ortiz "had time for one more surgery" and guess what? ~ I was there and was chosen! So, I never got my "last supper" the night before surgery like 99% of you all had. So, I had no food in my stomach for over 2 days because I was doing just protein shakes for all meals to lose more weight before weighing in.

After surgery, within 15 minutes, I had started walking up and down the hallways with my 'patient pal IV pole'. I did this just about every 1-1/2 hrs until 4 am...because I didn't want to hurt like some bandsters had from the gas bubbles. Walking around jiggle them around and I didn't have that too many gas pains after I came home. I used (2) gas x strips at a time and it seemed to have worked out fine for me.

The key to getting rid of gas pains/bubbles is to WALK, WALK, and WALK it out. Also, drink plenty of liquids. AND, when you drink, do not inhale air while drinking. Breathe through your nose while you are pretty much 'pouring' your liquids from your lips. I know this sounds kind of weird, but you will have less air inside you to try to burp or fart it out of ya! LOL

Watch your food intake, strawberries, I was told, creates air inside you and the little 'seeds' can stay in your colon longer than you care for. Don't want to build up too much pollups either.

So, WALK my dear friend!

[valdimar]

Thank you, I did call Dr. Ortiz and he told me what I was experiencing was not gas pain but muscle soreness from the port, referring pain to my shoulder area.

Thanks

Laurie