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 feel so much better today!

Well' date=' 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.[/quote']

Hi, I wanted to ask you specifically about your sleeve surgery since you had a hiatal hernia repair too. I've had laparoscopic surgery twice and had minimal gas pain, I just felt like I had been punched in the gut repeatedly. What was your experience with pain after having both done simultaneously?

Thanks!

My Dr said the hernia correction takes just a couple minutes to do. Basically yank the stomach down and sew the diaphragm tight around the esophogus. So, as far as additional pain associated to gas, I would say there wasn't any as I'm already inflated for the sleeve. But he told me I may feel some tightness when swallowing and he was right. There was some uncomfortableness ... I wouldn't call it pain, but it was difficult for the first week to get what I would call a good swallow in. But since we're drinking liquids only, it's really not that big of a deal.

I'm elated he repaired that. I didn't know I had a hiatal hernia. Since my surgery, I have had zero reflux issues which, for me is awesome. I used to eat tums, prilosec and baking soda almost daily to deal with it. Now ... nothing.

I also had a hietal hernia repair same time as my VSG. I had a very uncomfortable feeling from shoulder to shoulder in front. I thought it was the anesthesia, but my surgeon said it was from the hernia repair. It was just a little annoying. Didn't hurt when I swallowed though, which I thought was weird. The sensation went away after about a week.

Walking for about 10 min. Will help. Also take baby sips of pinnapple juice sugar free

Catalina, how are you feeling now? I havent been horizontal since surgery. I am in a recliner with a pillow for extra leg support but i walk soooo much. Every hour i walk around for at least 10 minutes. I am having constipation problems and on my monthly cycle so i dont like sitting and frequent the restroom! Cant wait to get this week over with!

Butterbean,

I was the same way ,.. -TOM ... Just keep walking and sipping.

Wife built me an embankment of pillows in bed that I slept in for 2 weeks.

MOM was the cats meow for constipation.

Thanks PDX and New. I didn't know I had it until my doc saw it during the EGD. It does explain the horrible reflux, though.

Have to say the first 5 days were horrible, however I feel great now. Lost 20lbs since the 30th

I too have had a hard time with gas and acid reflux ( burning in chest and throat). My Dr. Told me I could take 2 Prilosec OTC twice a day and Zantac 150 twice a day and gas x strips when needed. I am so much better. Our tummys (sleeves are swollen) and can't dump the acid and it comes up. This is different feeling than the heartburn or acid reflux from over eating. It feels like heart attack pain. Hang in there. It will get better.

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!

I'm glad I wasn't the only person who felt this pain. I am a little over 3 weeks post op now and doing so much better. Thanks for your kind words!