I was banded three days ago and am experiencing pain every time I swallow - is this normal? The pain is not in my throat, it's deep in my chest and seems to build and then burst in a sharp pain. Is this the "gas" I've read about following surgery? It's making me tired and discouraged. I actually thought I'd be better by today. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. -Stacie

It probably is gas you are feeling. I thought I would have felt better a lot sooner than I was but it took a good 3 weeks before I was feeling 100% back to normal. Take it easy and don't push yourself. Just rest and let your body heal. Good luck!

I had similar pain for about 10 days after surgery. It felt like trapped indigestion that I just couldn't burp up. If you are able to keep liquids down, hopefully you will be ok.

"Trapped indigestion" is the perfect description!

It could very well be gas, or it could also be the pain that some surgery patients get in their chest extending out to the left hand side of the chest. It comes and goes, and It's very painful and lasts a few weeks but there is nothing to do but grin and bear it. My doctor told me when I complained of it that one morning you will wake up and it will be gone. He was right, it was!

Good luck

I was banded 3 days ago also.... saw my surgeon last night with the exact symptoms. He released more residual saline from the band and I feel 75% better. :-)

he advised me in rare cases the band is too tight causing epigastric pain.

I think I am experiencing similar symptoms. I was banded 3 days ago, the 12th, and I am still having a lot of gas pains in my upper stomach area, where the banding is. I can keep fluids down, and drank my first protein shake earlier, but this bloated, gassy feeling is so uncomfortable! My hubby is making chicken soup. I hope the warm fluid helps. I'm passing gas but it does nothing for the bloating that I feel in my upper stomach area. Any suggestions from those who are past this or do I just have to wait it out?

Also, my surgeon did not put anything in my band.

I think the posters above are right and I would expect it to get better soon. It can also just be pressure from swallowed saliva which can just be from the inflammation/irritation from the surgery. If I eat too much (well, WHEN I eat too much) I might feel fine and never even know it but after the meal it becomes more and more difficult just to swallow normal saliva and that leads me to the sliming!

Hi,

I was banded yesterday & I feel the same bloated, pain....I'm sure it will subside. Just trying to remind myself hy I did this and to keep positive.

Move around a lot, short small walks help and the more you do the better you will feel. I agree by week 3 I felt like my old self just lighter. Second week was the worst for me as I went back to work and sitting was uncomfortable.