I've been banded for 8 months now and the past few weeks have been nothing but problems with gas! My stomach is so full of gas that it's about twice the size and very painful! It was so bad last night that I couldn't stand up straight. Gas-X hasn't really helped much, but I took a laxative last night because I figured what ever is in there needs to come out. I'm feeling a bit better today, but I was wondering if anyone else has had these problems and what can be done. Should I talk to the doctor about this gas problem? It seems to be getting worse over the past few months but I can't associate it to any specific foods.

Any responses would be great!

Kickie,

Yes, I too have suffered from severe gas. My MD told me that since the air can't go up it would have to go down. Unfortunately, he is not familiar with the thrid option... sit in my belly and cause terrible pain.

Like you, gas x had done almost nothing. My stomach is tender and I have had only a mini bowel movement in the last 3 days. I think I might drink some castor oil soon.

Oh my goodness!!!! I am in so much freaking pain, I cant stand it any longer. I noticed the pain a few months ago, but the pain has become excruciating this last month. My stomach bloats up past my breast......and my chest is huge! Where in your abdomen does it hurt? For me, it is directly above my navel, and even hurts to press on the area. It now hurts all the time.

Katie

I would say my gas pain began about four or five days ago. It also hurts when I push on my abdomen. It hurts in the area directly beneath my ribs in the center, and is painful all the way down to a few inches below my navel.

I have this issue ALOT. It became worse after about the first year of banding. I use a cleansing my aunt told me about. I drink salty water and boy does it do a colon cleanse but I feel soooooooo much better afterwards! My dr had nothing he could tell me as to why I was havin this issue.

I once gargled salt Water and puked. I am guessing that cleansing my bowels is what you are suggesting.

Fortunately, the pain is subsiding. I have been on a soft food diet (eggs, noodles, Wheaties). I still have some tenderness, but it takes a lot more pushing to get me to say ouch. The other night my son bumped my belly - I yelped.

Do you get so that it is difficult to stand straight up? I get to walking so that I am hunched over a bit, because it hurts my abdominal region to stand shoulders back, chest up. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

When you are banded the doc creates a stoma, the part of the stomach the band is covering. The stoma acts as a one way valve and air goes down but it doesn't come up well.

The two things folks need to keep in mind is WHAT you are eating such as foods that cause a lot of gas. If you eat Beans, for example, soak them in Water overnight before cooking and that prevents a lot of the gas that people get with beans.

The biggest issue is to learn to stop swallowing air. Don't use a straw, sip instead. Be verrrry aware of how much air is in your mouth as you swallow saliva, food, or drinks. This is the biggest key. It's a learned behavior to stop swallowing air.