I had Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and a hernia repaired through my belly button on May 5th. I have noticed the last two days that I have tightness in my stomach. It feels like I'm wearing a really tight pair of high-waisted pants, or a corset. Is this normal? I'm getting my protein mainly through protein drinks, but have introduced a few pureed foods, as instructed by my surgeon. I'm not hungry at all, and have to force myself to eat (such a weird phenomena for someone who lived to eat).

Normal for some.

Sounds like the time to telephone your bariatric clinic and/or surgeon for advice ... "to be sure to be sure" as my Irish pals say!

Today I'm not feeling the same amount of tightness, so I'm wondering if maybe that is what gas feels like after surgery. If it comes back, I'll give the surgeon a call.

There are 2 potentials, gas (but at 2 weeks out that seems unlikely) and the tightness from the hernia repair. I'd lean more towards the hernia repair. Stretch often, within comfort levels of course and keep doing your incentive spirometer (if they gave you one to take home)! If not, take a slow deep breathe in, as much as you can take physically you might feel some tightness, but not to the point of pain, then hold that for a second and press down into it slightly, this helps stretch and force out any gas that might still be in there. Do a few of those every hour or so and that *should* help you a bit.

Matt Z - thanks for the suggestions. Gas X seemed to help.