The more I educate myself on the LB, the more I get confused. Everyone seems to have very different experiences. One thing that seems pretty common is the gas / gas pain after surgery. Can someone explain why this happens? It sounds pretty scary (like having a heart attack or panic attack?!?!) I heard walking and GasX strips help - is this true?

Thanks in advance

The gas is a result of having a gas pumped into the abdominal cavity to make room for the laparoscopic tools during surgery. When you're closed up, the gas gets absorbed into the body and must come out one way or another - top or bottom . Until then, the gas bubbles and pressure hits a nerve in the ab area that sends a painful signal to the left shoulder. It's very weird, but that's how the body works.

Maalox and GasX can help get rid of the gas.. burping and farting helps too. Sorry to be so graphic. Burping can hurt because of the tubes inserted into the trach and esophagus during surgery.

After a few days, the gas dissipates. I used thermacare heat pads on my should to help dull the pain. The pain med you get after surgery helps too if only to make you sleepy and high enough not to care about the pain

Good information. Thanks!