Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Chest Pain/shortness Of Breathe



Recommended Posts

I had my LB surgery Wednesday of this week. I had quite a large hernia repaired at the same time. I have a heaving feeling on my chest most of the time and it is painful to take a deep breathe. I have been using the breathing machine that was given to me. Is this normal?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had surgery on Monday this week. I also have sharp pain when I take a deep breath. I didnt have a hernia repair. People on this sight told me it is where the band is and it can also be the gas they put in. I have found that it is worse when I standup strait. If i lean forward and take a deep breath it doesnt hurt hardly at all. I hope it goes away soon. Good luck on your journey. That pain is the only complaint I have. I am also having difficulty drinking enough Water. Does anyone know how to tell if you are dehydrated?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I remember feeling like that too. I also had a hernia repair (totally unexpected). There was extra trauma and additional stitches put in the middle of your chest. As long as you can breath and dont feel like your having a heart attack the pain one of these days, sooner then you think. will just disappear!!

If you are at all thirsty, you are already dehydrated. In the beginning especially, its really important to just pace yourself and get all your Water in.

Good luck to you both. One day you will wake up and feel absolutely fantastic!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What kind of hernia? I imagine this repair will compound recovery.

However, I was surprised at the difficulty I had breathing after surgery. It hurt!

My doc said that a liver retractor is used (that is the incision at 12 o'clcok) and that accounts for the difficulty on inhalation.

I am 2 weeks out (surgery 6/14/12) and feeling MUCh better. I can bend over easily without surgical pain. No breathing issues after first week.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

It was a hiatal hernia repair. I'm glad to see I'm not alone. I was beginning to worry. I thought all my gas pain was over but I started belching a while ago and cant seem to stop. Hopefully this will be gone within the next couple of days.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had surgery on June 20 and still have that pain when I take a deep breath not as bad as the first week thou!

Sent from my iPad using LapBandTalk

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Did you get one if these breathing tools? I'm not sure of the name. Did you feel like using it made a difference.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had surgery on Monday this week. I also have sharp pain when I take a deep breath. I didnt have a hernia repair. People on this sight told me it is where the band is and it can also be the gas they put in. I have found that it is worse when I standup strait. If i lean forward and take a deep breath it doesnt hurt hardly at all. I hope it goes away soon. Good luck on your journey. That pain is the only complaint I have. I am also having difficulty drinking enough Water. Does anyone know how to tell if you are dehydrated?

The color of your urine can also tell you if you're dehydrated. The darker the worse. If it turns out brown - I'm no Doctor - but you should probably seek medical attention.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hey Girl! I was banded on tuesday and was also told I had a large hernia repair. I couldn't take a real deep breath until this morning. I never received one of those breathing mechanisms but I know what youre talking about, my friend got one when he got his bypass 3 years ago. I have had several scope surgeries and looking back on all of them it did take a while to breath deeply. My 5 sites of entry do not resemble a 12 oclock, my nurse sd healing is slightly different with hernia repair, I never knew I had one either. It's my understanding it's quite common. My biggest issue 5 days out is sometimes I feel my heart beat through where I assume the band has been placed, like when I stand too fast, or sit down quickly. Good Luck and Onward and Upward!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I do feel a little better this morning. It no longer feels like an elephant on my chest, more like a large dog.

I am going go attempt to get out and walk around another store today.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I guess time does make a difference. I'm glad the elephant has left leaving only a dog in its place. Hopefully the dog will turn into a small chihuahua and then eventually nothing. My legs were stiff some days ago but now they are just sore. I have chest pain still which gets the better of me sometimes, turning into a panic attack but eventually with the pain meds it goes away and I am able to calm down. I have been feeling really emotional though. Today I hated myself for putting my body through this procedure. I went through anger and then sadness. I cried over a stupid taco salad commercial, knowing that i'll never be able to eat an entire taco salad all to myself - really pathetic when you think about it, but it is what it is. I plan on attending the support groups soon, maybe that'll help.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I keep reminding myself of all the reasons why I did this - just because I'm in pain doesn't mean those reasons go away. Reading here gives me a lot of hope - both that I'm normal in my pain and healing ;) and also that this does get better. I have irl friends who are years out and say it's the best thing they ever did. I truly believe I'll say that someday but I second going to the support groups so we can get through this without giving up. Having terrible c sections was worth it because I got cute babies out of it ;) this will be like that when I get good health and weight loss through it. Hang in there everyone!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The pain your feeling in your chest and neck area is gas!! Yes gas, it will occur for a little while. Nothing serious. A hernia operation shouldn't have anything to do with pains your experiencing

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had this pain too, it was hard to breath and when I stood up it took me a while to start walking because it hurt also it was hard to lay down and sleep I found myself sleeping in a chair because that was the most comfortable spot for me. I did feel like it was gas but the only way I have been able to describe it is as incredible heartburn. I chewed a couple of tums and that helped me alot.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 1 reply
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×