One Month Post Surgery And Pain In Chest

ukangel · March 8, 2007

Hi All

Looking for some advice

I had the band fitted on the 7th Feb 4 weeks ago

I have followed the diet to the letter and have had no problems thus far.

I have been introducing thicker foods with lumps that need chewing and I have been chewing really well.

Two days ago I suffered really bad chest pain and almost a stuck feeling. I also felt really uncomfortable so I kept moving as I have read that other people find this helps.

It got worse as the night went on and eventually I phoned the 24hr hot line. I got told not to worry and it was probably trapped wind and to take an antiacid and a pain killer and go to sleep.

I did as I was told and it appeared to have cleared in the morning. Well untill I tried to eat! Then it came back just as bad after only a couple of spoons of porridge!

I did not eat anything all day and then fortunately had an appointment with the dietician so asked her for advice. She did not have a clue as she has only been with the company a month and passed me back to the hotline who again said that it was trapped wind.

I have not eaten again all day today and been sipping small amounts of Water but the pain is like someone is stood on my chest just below my bra line in the centre of my chest. There feels like a real heavy weight on my chest.

Getting really worried now is there anything I should be doing? DOes anyone have any advice?:help:

teacher · March 8, 2007

UKangel....so sorry to hear about your pain. I;m having the same problem. I didn't have any gas pain after surgery until 3 weeks after it. The doctor's office told me that it is gas trapped in from the surgery. Some people just don't experience it for weeks after surgery. Here's what I've done...seems to be helping.....raise arms in "jumping jack syle" for 10 times, go shopping and hold on to the cart and walk walk walk, Mine hurts worse after eating and sitting.....so I keep getting up and walking around the house. The pain the other night moved from my ribs to my right shoulder blade and was better the next day. I totally understand you, the pain feels like a broken rib and is excruciating. I just can't believe that gas can be SO PAINFUL.:confused:

Good luck,,,keep walking around and let me hear from you and how you are doing.

Michele

teacher · March 8, 2007

Oh yea, the nurse said the gas is not from what I'm eating...it's from the surgery itself. Bummer that you and I are having the gas a month out....we should be feeling great by now.

Davyna · March 8, 2007

I am 8 days post op..

I have really bad gas pain in the same exact spot you are describing (center of chest, right below bra line). The thing that concerns me about what you said is that it doesn't affect my ability to eat at all (course, I'm still in the liquid stage....). It does hurt to take a deep breath tho.

Sorry I can't be of more help. I would probably insist on talking to my doctor if the advice you are getting doesn't help.

musicalmomma · March 8, 2007

Hi UKangel! Do you still have your gall bladder? I ask because your symptoms sound exactly like mine before I had mine removed. Then again, I haven't even been banded yet, so I'd have no idea if the pain was band related or not. Just a thought tho.

ukangel · March 8, 2007

How strange you ask me about my gall bladder. I had it removed about 6 years ago. That is when my weight became a major problem. I was wondering if the pain is because I dont have a gall bladder? Seems to be easing today. I think I may have not chewed something and have suffered a few days of consequences!!!!! It was a good lesson.