I have never had gas pain/heartburn like this. Any suggestions? I am already taking reglan and zofran. I cannot lie down flat without an extreme pain in my chest. Any advice would be appreciated!

I was the same way Catalina. I'm sorry you are going through this pain. When I posted my 1 st week after surgery, alot of people didn't know what I meant by "pain in my chest". Mine felt like a contraction or spasm. I had a lot of swelling and as the days went by the pain subsided a little each day. I was on liquid pain meds. Tasted awful..eewwww... but helped a little on the pain. It was still there though. People were telling me it was gas but it wasn't. Not the pain in the chest. Once the swelling begins to go down it will get better. I'm 11 days out now and hardly feel it at all. Hope this helps. God Bless!

Well, for starters, don't lie down! It's the old joke, "Doc, my arm hurts when I do *this*. Well ... don't do *that* with your arm anymore!!"

j/k

But seriously, I have read here where most people early out cannot lie down. My wife made a little embankment of pillows that I laid and slept in. I know a lot of people live in a recliner chair for the first week. So, not uncommon and totally normal.

Did you have a hiatal hernia repair, too? I did and I know the pain in the chest is probably going to be a little more pronounced because of this. I also know a lot of people also use Gas-X.

Right now, your stomach is all swollen and it is not in its *normal* position. This is going to cause stomach fluids to ride a little higher and gets more pronounced when lying down. When the swelling goes down, your stomach will settle ... in position and being uncomfortable. First couple weeks are the hardest, but you will get through it.

Oh...I hope you feel better. All I can say is that it really does get easier/better every day.

Hi i just had my sleeve done on may 30th as well.. one thing that has helped me was really moving around. listen to you body but walk gently strech. it helped me to burp more and i notice i have less pain then just sitting there,

I know that everyone is diffrent however i hope this helps

Serene sleeved 5/30/12

sorry i forgot to tell you I also had the hurnia surgrey to

If its gas- walk walk walk. Heartburn, u need to sit up like in a chair n try an antacid that doc hopefully gave you- like a Prilosec. Or go get Zantac n take one or crush one- whatever u gotta do. It will stop. No worries love.

Well honey, it's only been 2 days!! You've been under the slice and dice! I promise you it will get better. Do exactly as you've been told (drink, walk, breathe) and take your pain meds, and it will slowly get better. Just be patient with yourself. I agree with PDXman. Prop yourself up. Lots o pillows, recliner, whatever works. It'll get better.

I also had alot of chest and shoulder pain after the surgery. I was told to expect it because of all the air they pump into the abdomen for the surgery. The best advice I had was to walk and take my pain meds. I also slept alot in my recliner the first couple of days. It was just more comfortable for me. It took about 5 or 6 days for the pain to finally ease up.

I've never taken Reglan but have had great success with over-the-counter Prilosec. In fact, that's what my doctor instructed me to take for my reflux.

It will get better, Catalina.....I promise! This and the next few weeks will be the hardest part, but it will get easier. Hang in there!

I also had my surgery here in Australia on 30th May. You really have to listen to your body, walk as much as you can, sip water and take pain meds if you need them. I am now on free fluids so I can have protein shakes, soup etc which has made a big difference. The most painful part for me I have to say were the headaches, much worse than any thing happening with my sleeve. You really will get better and better each day.

I had a lot of pain post op for 2 weeks. I slept in a recliner & took plenty of pain meds for those 2 weeks. It fades. Hang in there!! Feel better soon!!!

DD

I was sleeved on the 29th. I also have been walking quite a bit. I had it horrible the first 2 days, seems to be letting up a bit today. I was told by the surgeon to stay away from the recliners for 4 weeks due to blood clots. Apparently its where the bars hit your calves. Just thought I would share that. Hope you feel better soon

I was sleeved on the 30th, still in hospital! Pain is horrible

I was a sleeve revision from a band on May 30. The day of surgery went pretty well as I was able to get up and walk around. The day after was heck. They kept changing my time for the barium swallow leak test and my tongue felt like shoe leather. They finally got me in there at 1 pm and then had me drink water every 15 minutes for two hours. Then I got to go home. Today has been much better but all I have had is my gummy vitamin and 3 bottles of water. Every time I take a sip, I can feel it going down and I am tight. My surgeon told my husband my sleeve was the sie of a pencil. I'll try protein tomorrow, I'm just so scared of getting a leak from over doing it too quickly.

Have you tried gas-x strips? And getting up and walking often? I know it probably hurts to get up and walk but trust me it will help with the gas pains tremendously! I have had 2 c-sections, lapband surgery, and then this past tuesday my band was removed and revised to the sleeve. I did have a few periods of really bad gas pains in my chest and shoulder but the simethecone (Gas-x), pain meds, and walking helped so much. Now im not really having any gas pains- its more pain from the incision sites.

Try propping yourself up on stiffer pillows. I had my band removed on May 23 and also had a hernia repair, I felt the pain in my chest also and leaning back while propped up helped alleviate it especially at home. I didn't take any pain meds buy did tr some Tylenol when I was home and that took the ede off as well. You'll feel better just take it one day at a time