Yesterday was my surgery and after leaving late because of gas and pain problems I did get home and it seemed like I was recovering nicely.... today however has been a different story I have a lot of pain in my chest and it seems like liquids are getting stuck.... I have walked some today the pain I feel is unbearable I've called the doctor once but and they said it was just gas at this point it hurts to talk-- right now I'm really regretting getting this done... any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated

walk as much as you can

get/use gas-x

sip water

good luck

Yesterday was my surgery and after leaving late because of gas and pain problems I did get home and it seemed like I was recovering nicely.... today however has been a different story I have a lot of pain in my chest and it seems like liquids are getting stuck.... I have walked some today the pain I feel is unbearable I've called the doctor once but and they said it was just gas at this point it hurts to talk-- right now I'm really regretting getting this done... any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated

Did the hospital give you a spirometer (the thing to measure your lung capacity)? If so, use it. I know it will hurt, but use it a few times a day. It will get your lungs filled and help with healing.

Also, don't try to be a hero - take your pain meds. We naturally want to say we're doing good, and try to not take the meds. We're not heroes; we're healing after surgery. One thing I found was that I was in quite a bit of pain in some areas and then over compensated for the pain and other muscles hurt. For example, my chest hurt, so I hunched over and then my back hurt as a result. The pain meds can give you some peaceful sleep and let you and your body's muscles relax and heal

Stay hydrated, take some deep breaths and rest. However, you know on instinct if something is really wrong. Contact your dr if you're feeling that.

Take care of yourself!

--Carrie

Edited to add: During the procedure, the doctor may have inserted a tube/balloon down your esophagus to test the pouch. Because of this, your esophagus may be healing. I know I had this super odd thump-in-my-throat feeling about 2-3 days after surgery. I felt like I was constantly trying to swallow, and it was difficult. Is the sensation you're feeling?

I wasn't given a spirometer.... or pain meds..... the only thing they told me I should take is aleve.... which I'm tempted to take others pain meds I have but not sure if that would be a good idea.... this really does hurt though

thank you both for your quick replies I'm new here and didn't know someone would get back so quick..

I'd call your doctor tomorrow. I'm surprised you weren't given pain meds, and Aleve is an NSAID which I hear is a no no. Every dr is different, so I don't want to be too harsh with my judgement. I was taking my liquid Lortab three times a day for the first 5 days. Maybe I'm a wus

With no spirometer, practice taking a deep breath for like 10 sections to slowly open up your lungs.

i assure you I am as big a wuss or bigger

hey! my responses are not as medically spoken hahha but i can however tell u my story haha! i am a lil over 2 weeks post op, and let me tell you.. by my 3rd day, i think i was seriously praying to die. haha i was in so much pain. it wasnt even my stomach that hurt, it was my neck and chest! everytime i breathed in it felt like razors were scrapping my esophagus. i called my doctor they said it was normal. i even had really bad dry heaving. now that was ridiculous! but as soon as i hit the 7th or 8th day... i was great! i was on pure clear liquids for 2 weeks! i had a bite of whole ( grits) food today!

i guess the moral to my story is that it gets better sooner than later! everyone heals differently, that i know.but no matter what you go through, you can turn to us! you're never alone!

best of luck to you!! <3<3 Ronni

Ice cold liquids and even eating tiny ice chips will help the swelling go down and the pain along with it. Keep an Ice pack high and to the left as much as you can. I found that this was very helpful. Sleep is very important in healing.

Sleep, then walk a bit, then sleep ....... I feel for you, but it does get better. Hang in there.

I had the same thing starting day 2. I kept taking my pain meds and I am day 7 today and all is gone. I am eating my thicker soups and stuff and lauging at how great I feel and how little I can eat. I agree, call your doctor and ask for pain meds. My doctor mailed mine to me about a week before surgery. Also, I have heard a lot of people saying they can't take the NSAIDS. My Dr. told me not to take them in the two weeks prior to surgery because it acts as a blood thinner. My post op paperwork says I can take them. I was even having a hard time finding liquid tylenol or ibuprofen so my dr. told me they make a liquid tylenol called Tylenol Blast. I finally found some at one pharmacy but I coudn't find the liquid or chewable tylenol. He told me to get the children's virsion that I would just have to double the dosage. Maybe you can check with your doctors now to see if it is ok to take. My ibuprofen sure works a lot better than Tylenol.

walk as much as you can

get/use gas-x

sip water

good luck

I was banded Wednesday February 16th; by Sunday my chest really hurt and it was becoming difficult to breath. When I went for my post op visit on Tuesday I found that this was not normal, they sent me to emergancy for a CT Scan and discovered I had developed Fluid in my lungs. This was due to not using the spirometer enough, once I began using it more I was fine in a day. I would suggest you asking your doctor for one as well as asking for some pain medicine, I went through a big bottle the first week and asked for another one. I'm now 2 weeks 1 day post op and am feeling no pain.

Hang in there and good luck to you...

Walk to move the gas and take liquid Tylenol.

I'm sorry, that doesn't sound fun! You really should've been given pain meds. Try a heating pad too.

I second the heating pad. Actually, I used those Thermacare pads, and they are great! They give heat for 8 hrs and can be put directly on your skin, so no running to reheat a heating pad

I'm sorry, that doesn't sound fun! You really should've been given pain meds. Try a heating pad too.