:boredhi everyone.

i had surgery on monday, august 13. the gassiness was the worst but has subsided quite a bit;

i do want to know from as many of you as possible.

how long did it take before you could breath deeply without feelinig cut off or feeling pain.

everytime i try to breathe deeply, it hurts like hell at the end of my chest, beginning of stomach area; like something inside says.... that's your limit, stop right there!

any thoughts?:guess

bumping this message for some answers and sharing

Hi, My name is Maria, I did my operation about a month ago on the 21st, I had problems with gas for about 4-5 days, but as I read at the group of july banded girls, I kept taking Gas-X for 10 days to make sure I am fine.

But what is really bothering me and driving me crazy especially now after the first fill is the neck pain that still is driving me crazy, now swallowing the pills isn't easy... but just now I found that I have to take it when I am standing up... if you need any more questions pls. feel free to ask...

Maria - Damascus, Syria

Hi it took a few days to get my breath back to normal from the anesthesia. This happens to everyone. If your hospital gave you a spirometer-use it. If not, practice doing a couple of deep breaths several times an hour. If you don't have improvement you might want to call your doc.

I am banded tomorrow! woo-hoo.

I have had other surgeries and had the deep breathing problem. I put on the tunes I like to sing along with and wow, I find I am breathing to sing and it does not hurt as bad. It takes a bit, but the music seems to help.

Try singing.

Ditto what Trystelle said. You will find that taking the deep breaths, in spite of the pain, will reduce it in the long run. The first breath or two is hard, then it gets easier. I did about 5 or more at a time, every 2 hours.

If the hospital did not send you home with anything to practice deep breathing, try blowing up balloons. Don't reuse the same balloon as it will stretch out the first time you blow it up. Use a new balloon each time.

When you have surgery it can cause some lung problems and to prevent pneumonia they will have you practice deep breathing. So if they didn't send you home with anything, use balloons.

I experienced similar pains post-op but it only lasted about 3-4 days. I have heard that a muscle in your diaphram can become irrated as a result of surgery which can cause similar symptoms. Unless the problem is severe and/or you feel like you can't breathe properly then I'd say give it 3-4 days and then call if it doesn't start feeling better.

i'm all better now in the gas department, thanks everyone! now to the real struggles.... i have arrived.