Hello All,

I was banded 4/14/11 and I have been having really bad chest pains that go up to my throat and fill like I want to either burp or throw up (sorry). Has anyone else had this problem? It hurts and it's very uncomfortable. Will probably contact my doctor tomorrow, but needed some advice. Thanks.

Sounds like gas. I had this it will go away. I was banded 4/13.

I bet your surgeon put fluid in your band at the time of surgery. When I hear these symptoms that is usually the cause. Contact your surgeon and find out. If you do have some fill in there, ask to have it removed.

I had my surgery on the 13th and have the same problem. Even drinking small amounts of water cause the feeling and it is almost like I can feel the liquids move from the pouch to my stomach with a feeling of bubbles coming up my throat. I do have some fill at surgery not sure how much. Will this get better as the healing / swelling goes down?

I was banded on the 5th of April and had similar symptoms in my chest. It was gas that would then radiate into my shoulder. I used Gas-X strips and chews. It has now gone! When in doubt though, I would call my surgeon and ask.

I was also banded on 4/14/11... had the same thing with the chest pains. In the hospital, they told me that's how I would know the difference between the pain of surgery and the pain of gas... the gas would feel like it's in my chest and shoulder, sometimes lower back. It's getting better day by day. 7 lbs down already!!!

All of you have been GREAT! Thank you so much. I dont know what I would do without this site! I am still having pains this morning so I am still gonna contact the doctor (that's what he's there for right, lol) but it does make me feel SO much better that I'm not the only one. I am having the same problems when I drink Water Colorado_Bander. I just started on the GasX chewables brbm6, so hopefully they will help. I will stay on top of that.

I dont think I have anything in my band yet because when I got out of surgery he told me that I would get my first fill in about a month, but I will still inquire.

Thanks!!!

Doesn't sound so much like leftover gas to me but more like pains fromt he band itself--either rubbing on the phrenic neve or from food/liquids getting stuck.

Leftover gas (air they pump in during surgery to infalte the abdomen so they can see) actually sits in the abdomen free-floating (not in the stomach or intestines itself). It can't get into the chest because the diaphragm separates the abdominal cavity from the chest cavity. So, this leftover gas is uaually only felt in the shoulders and sometimes the chest (usually the shoulders though) is because it's sitting along the diaphragm (the muscle that helps the lungs breathe) and those nerves referr the pain to the shoulders.

If your chest pain is happening when you eat or drink it's most likely the band hitting the phrenic nerve on the stomach, or because you're tight from either surgical swelling or too full a band. I'd call your doc for advice, though. They may be able to empty your band...or it could be referred gas pain in which case walking is the best way to get it moving and absorbed.

are you still on liquids? Also try not doing really cold drinks and see it really warm tea (sipping) helps...warm liquids tend to relax things a lot.

huge hugs

Based on all of the comments and advice I think mine is swelling. It is better today for sure. I think I was / am anxious to move forward and am expecting too much too soon. It does get better each day. I am down nearly 10 lbs since surgery which I know is water weight and empty bowels but it is a start of a new life

Hello All,

I was banded 4/14/11 and I have been having really bad chest pains that go up to my throat and fill like I want to either burp or throw up (sorry). Has anyone else had this problem? It hurts and it's very uncomfortable. Will probably contact my doctor tomorrow, but needed some advice. Thanks.

Hi

I was banded on 4-12-11, and I have the same thing going on in my chest. The Dr. and nurses all said that you may start to feel full in the chest area as well as have some gas. I find that when I eat I am getting full in my chest area first which helps me to stop.

Hope this helps.