Hello,

I am five days post op and I have this headache that I can't get rid of from surgery. Also, I have this stuck in my esophagus feeling whenever I drink something. It's painfull and it radiates to my back and chest. Should I be concerned? I've only been taking advil to help alleviate my headaches for pain meds. Could the advil pills be causing this?

Headaches could be because you are really still fasting in terms of calorie intake and could be a sign of ketosis, ketones are produced when you are breaking down stored fat- headaches and bad breath are common, but will improve when you are able to eat more normally. If you are not getting enough fluids, headache can be a sign of dehydration too

As for the discomfort and difficulty swallowing, it probably indicates you still have a reasonable amount of swelling in the area from surgery. Sip your fluids slowly, don't gulp-but if you are having trouble getting your fluids down, ring your Dr- might not be a bad idea to ring anyway for reassurance

I was told absolutely no ADVIL! Tylenol and like products only.

Are you drinking enough Water? Headaches is a sign of dehydration. It is very important to get your water in.

Also, you might switch to the liquid tylenol. I too was told tylenol products, preferrable liquids.

I was told no NSAID (Motrin, Advil etc). They can irritate the stomach lining.

NO ADVIL!!! Switch to liquid Tylenol, and sip your fluids VERY slowly. Sip, wait, sip, wait.... You're probably still swollen inside from the surgery. Take it easy, and don't panic! The feelings you're describing actually went away around day 5 or 6 for me. The pain you're having that radiates into your back is still from the gas. Walk, walk, walk, or rock in a rocking chair to ease that pain. Hang in there, you'll get through it!

Use a heat blanket on your back and stomach it helps ease the pain take some gas x it will help with that tight feeling, NO ADVIL, sip hot tea it really sooths

You'll make it!

That radiating pain is probably gas. I still get a mild pain from that once in a while. It takes a couple of weeks to REALLY get all that gas out of your system.

Good luck!

Thanks for all the responses everyone. Nobody ever said no advil to me. I've switched to tylenol for now, I didn't think to get the liquid, I'm just using a pill crusher and adding it to my protein drink. I drink all day long, I've consume about 40 fl oz through the course of a day. Make sure i have drink near by at all times. I'll just hang tuff and see how I do.

Nobody ever said no advil to me. I've switched to tylenol for now....

Ask your doctor about Advil or Motrin if you really want to take it. Tylenol does not work at all for me, so my doctor told me I could take Motrin as long as it was in liquid form. He also prescribed Darvocet (in crushed form) for me, and that contains ibuprofen, too.

As a general rule, all doctors say no aspirin or ibuprofen after lap-band surgery, but there are always exceptions to the rule. When in doubt, discuss it with your doctor.