Hi everyone!! I'm Tara and just got my surgery date last week - July 15th is the big day a year (or 34 years, depending on how you look at it in the making. Getting a date after a year of pre-op requirements felt awesome; and now starts the really hard work. I'm a teacher and, for the first time ever, I took the summer off to be able to focus on my surgery and recovery. I look forward to getting to know some of you as we journey on

I found the gas to be horrible. the surgeon said that it is a mixture of gas, the stretching of the tissues and all the work they do there. It went away rather rapidly after hanging around for 40 hours. I still have the drain in and it will be removed on monday or so. the upside is that it will be fastest way of showing a leak. so if it is clear on monday I should be good to go.

however i hear that it can be rather painful.

I found the gas to be horrible. the surgeon said that it is a mixture of gas' date=' the stretching of the tissues and all the work they do there. It went away rather rapidly after hanging around for 40 hours. I still have the drain in and it will be removed on monday or so. the upside is that it will be fastest way of showing a leak. so if it is clear on monday I should be good to go.

however i hear that it can be rather painful.[/quote']

I still am having problems with the gas. My back and chest hurt. I have been using chewable gas x which seems to work, but every time I drink I get air, and I'm back to square 1! Hopefully ill figure this drinking without air pretty soon! Good luck with your drain. I didn't have one.

Right there with ya, CA. I tried one of the Gas-X thin strips under my tongue in the hospital, and it didn't do much, but I'm going to try again. I have the same problem with getting too much air when I drink, even though I'm taking tiny little sips of Water and letting it sit in my mouth for a few seconds so that any air I've got in my mouth dissipates before I swallow. The drain was such a pain, and I was so relieved when it was finally removed this morning. For the first time I was able to lay down and really sleep when I got home this afternoon; that felt good, even though the gas shifted with me (wish it would just make its exit already).

I tried having a little bit of Protein drink at dinner time and was able to get down about 2 ounces. I may try a few bites of Jello with my water before I head to bed.

hello every on I was a 15th sleever as well and i am doing well

for the gas the walk is the key and don't let go more you walk more it goes

don't esitate to walk in a mall if it is to hot out there

I was able to get a shake today and it went great but I struggle with the

did you release the product swallowed during the Xray test, that too help to release the gas

it will come and try to sit on a chair rather that flat on the bed it seam to help as well

I walked over 30 laps in two days in the hospital, but unfortunately it didn't really help. I plan to keep walking now that I'm home, but I've pretty much made my peace with the fact that it may just take awhile for the gas to dissipate.

for me when it start I could feel it in my chest and it was a relief when it went down

they gave me some medication but not helping it is the body who decide