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What are the pains from? Gas, fullness, or surgery?

Okay, so I was just banded yesterday, and just got home from the hospital this afternoon. I am still very bloated and the incisions are a little painful. I'm trying to eat my pudding and I can't tell if the pains that I'm having are from like gas bubbles, that I'm already full, or if there is just pain from the surgery?!? Anyway for me to know the difference?

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I had gas pains for almost a week. The pain was in my shoulders and neck and in my ribcage. It was sooo bad. My Dr told me to walk as much as possible, take warm showers, and take advil for the pain. I used the GAS-X strips that melt on the tongue. And yes, sometimes I didn't know if I was hungry or just sick to my stomach. Everyone is so different. But it does get better little by little each day. Hang in there.

I would say that the pains are from the surgery, its a big surgery that you had. I was told by my doctor to have 50mls of any liquid every 30 mins for the first four days and then work your way up. At a meal you should be having 200mls by the end of the 2 weeks. But that is what my doctor told me, you might be different, but I would ring and ask your doctor.

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I think I'm mostly feeling surgery pains...or gas at times--although, I am starting to pass some (last time I was so happy about this was when I had my c-section-12 yrs ago)...think I'm gonna start on some milk of magnesia--my release paperwork says to if I haven't had a BM in 2-3 days and this is the 2nd day post op--if I don't have one today, it's MOM tomorrow--think that will help with the bloating!!!

I too, had my surgery on Thursday (2 days ago) and I am also having severe pains in my left shoulder, neck and across my upper back. Also, overall stiffness, like I have been hit by a "mack truck." But I am walking and sipping my liquids. My doctor prescribed liquid Lortab--combination of tylenol/hydrocodone... It takes the edge off.

Pain from the incisions not too bad though...the other pain is bothersome.

cc

Had surgery on wednesday.

Saturday morning feel very good. Took a nice shower, had a protein drink and just hanging out this weekend. If I start to feel hungry, a couple of sipps of water or broth and I am fine. This can work!

the Dr's pump gas into the belly to inflate it to give them more room to work. It takes time for the gas to go away, walking helps and some say a heating pad helps as well.

I felt like an elephant was sitting on my chest for about the first four days and I had the left shoulder pain, too. It takes a few days, it will get better, stay hydrated.

AZNikki, glad to know someone else is wondering if the pain that exists is because of the surgery or if it is hunger pains. I've come to the conclusion it is just surgery pain because I think I actually had a hunger pain about 30 minutes ago. I'm sipping my water now and hope this will do the trick for me. I had surgery on Wednesday so this is Day 4 for me and I was able to eat about 3 oz of Cream of Chicken soup earlier (yummy) and I also got down 3 oz of yogurt. This is the first day that I was able to have anything creamy and what a treat.

Hey All - I had surgery Tuesday morning and still have the blahs! Lots of gas pain! I'm belching all the time. Able to walk short distanc to mailbox then crash when I get back to the house. i'm so tired and have no strength. Sipping water, and sf popsicles. When do you get energy back? I so miss being myself. Noticed some wrote having a bit more than clear liquid. Me clear liquid only allowed until WED after 1st dr follow up appt. Tired of being tired. Good news, lost 30 plus lbs.! since pre op diet.

Had surgery on wednesday.

Saturday morning feel very good. Took a nice shower, had a Protein drink and just hanging out this weekend. If I start to feel hungry, a couple of sipps of Water or broth and I am fine. This can work!

I hear ya!! I am so encouraged right now.. I was just banded on 03/17 (Monday last week) and the day I got home and the day after I was actually regretting somewhat my decision.. I was hurting and it hurt to walk, etc.. Luckily I never had the shoulder pains but had problems burping.. for the most part that seems better..

I am currently on liquids only but starting Monday I go to soft foods..

I feel so much better today and taking next week off work too so when I go back the following week I will feel more like myself..

Just wanted to say that each day it gets better.. I noticed each morning after the 2nd day that I felt better each day more and more.. when Im feeling bloated or having problems with gas I walk around abit in the house..

I weighed myself Thursday and I've lost 17 pounds since 03/10 which was when I started my preop diet.. I cant wait to see where this journey leads me.. Im ready to feel better and get healthy!

  • Author

WOW...such varieties--I think I've figure out that its gas and surgery pains. I only wish I was burping more...then I might at least feel like the gas was escaping...my tummy is hard as a rock and bloated like crazy...more at times than at others. I've had no trouble walking--some pain when I first stand up but then it usually subsides. I take the liquid vicodin about twice a day rather than every 4 hours. I'm walking to mailbox several times per day and then went to WalMart and even Home Depot. Took Milk of Magnesia to get a BM going--wow...that worked...but still bloated. Never had shoulder pain--lots of back pain that same day of surgery, but after that, it's been okay...thankfully. HOT TEA is a GOD SEND to me!!!! Soothes heartburn, gas pains, aches, etc!!! EARL GREY with a touch of lemon is making me feel human again!!!!!

Diet for Post Op weeks 1-3: Choose 2 oz. of cream of wheat, creamed Soup, pudding or yogurt for break, lunch and dinner. Throughout the day, try to get in 8 oz. of Protein drink. Also, can have 2 oz. of broth, tea, Water, coffee, crystal light, sf Jello, sf popsicles, etc. about 15 min after anything else.

I'm definitely not starving...but geez, missing food at times :0( but I know I'm not doing all this for nothing!!!:thumbdown:

I had my surgery almost 3 weeks ago and i did experience the same pain for about a week and a half after surgery. The pain was at first from everything...gas, incisions, etc - then just mostly port pain after about a week. Now - I'm pain free! Yeahhhhh. It will go away and you will be counting down the days until your first fill.

I had surgery last Monday and felt good enough that I returned to work Wednesday>>>>BUT the pain in my left shoulder is unbelieveable still...also across my back

I continue to drink fluids and Soups but the shoulder is the worst pain by far....

I asked the pharmacy about it and they thought that not going to the bathroom was a huge contributor and suggested a stoool softener or MOM.

I am willing to try anything at this point!

  • Author

I am not finding much gas relief from the MOM although I am definitely having BMs!!!! But it doesn't seem to be relieving the bloating...I am finding relief in a heating pad now! YEA!!! I think the docs should have to let the gas out once they fill us up with it! hahahaha:cursing:

I had surgery on Thursday too. It seems walking helps alleviate the gas pains for me. I feel better each day. Hang in there.

  • Author

OKay.....back the truck up!!!! NOW I KNOW what everyone's been talking about with the flippin' shoulder pain.....YEP....I'VE GOT IT!!!! HOLY COW!!!!That's a freakin' nightmare!!!!!! It's like a heartattack--just well, not in your heart! GEEZE!!!!!! My shoulder actually hurts from me massaging it trying to get the gas bubble to break up!!!! OUCH!!!!! Glad you guys had mentioned it or I would have thought I was gonna die!!!:crying:

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