Hey all,

I just got my band on 5/12/08. Was feeling ok in the hospital but ever since I was discharged yesterday I feel a pain in the center of my chest. This is the exact same sensation I'd feel if i just didn't eat for a while (pre surgery of course) so I'm not sure if it's hunger pain or this gas everyone mentions. Is there a way to help get rid of the gas? Has anyone else experienced this and if so did you think it was hunger or the gas? I can deal with the other pains but this one is driving me nuts. I feel as though I need to drink more than the 1oz every 10 minutes. Any thoughts, suggestions, comments would be most appreciated.

OH I hope this goes away so fast for you ..I have read several places that Gas X strips is a must .. Keep us posted and I so hope you feel better .

The best way to get rid of the gas is walking. Walk walk walk. It helps alleviate the pain. plus be still too long, for me, was painful because the gas would settle in my chest or shoulder or back.

And it could very well be a little bit of a hunger pain...I mean it's been a while since you ate real food. Either way. Good luck with your journey. The first few weeks are tough, but I know you can get through it.

Hi Goodbyefood:

Congratulations on your lap band surgery! You have made a

terriffic choice and your life will be so much better for it!

Yes, I experienced those tight feelings in the center of my

chest. It is just your body trying to adjust to having the

surgery. Many people have more gas than others. It will

"pass", pardon the pun!! Just remember to walk but slowly

for about a couple of weeks. That will help the gas also.

I still have gas in that area. When I get up suddenly or

just bend over to pick up something off the floor, I have

to belch! I was banded on Feb. 26th. Guess that will always

be an issue.

Wishing you better days ahead!

Judie

I have been banded for almost five years now, the best way to get rid of the pain in to lay on your left side and let it rip. There is something about laying on the left that works miracles! This also works if you have the terrible pains that show up in your left shoulder---lay on your left!

Sorry to post again, as for those who mention walking...for me that did NOT work! Laying on your left side will.

Hey all,

I just got my band on 5/12/08. Was feeling ok in the hospital but ever since I was discharged yesterday I feel a pain in the center of my chest. This is the exact same sensation I'd feel if i just didn't eat for a while (pre surgery of course) so I'm not sure if it's hunger pain or this gas everyone mentions. Is there a way to help get rid of the gas? Has anyone else experienced this and if so did you think it was hunger or the gas? I can deal with the other pains but this one is driving me nuts. I feel as though I need to drink more than the 1oz every 10 minutes. Any thoughts, suggestions, comments would be most appreciated.

Hi! I was banded on 5/9 and I have similar weird sensations in the middle of my chest. For me it happened a lot in the first couple of days, but now only when I've had too much to drink. I'm on Clear liquids for the first 10 days, then full liquids for 3 weeks. I have this pain more and it's sharper if I'm eating cold sugar-free popcicles or drinking cold Water.

Gas-X is a must for me, though much of the gas pain is not intestinal, but abdominal. That means that the body must absorb it slowly, not just "letting it rip." I wish it was that easy. Although, I must warn you... :w00t:

if you're diabetic and have not had fruit juices in some time, they will give you the runs. So be careful if you do "let it rip" because accidents happen and can be horriffic! :thumbdown:

Hang in there and do the walking. I don't particularly find that it helps me either, but it does help to keep us limber and prepare us for when we're allowed to exercise.

Best of Luck!

Barbara

:smile:I was banded yesterday, no real problems. Gas isn't to bad right now. I can't wait to start looking better!

sorry I got carried away, :thumbdown: my dr. told me to put my feet upon the wall or headboard. It helps the gas travel around. kinda like when a baby is gasy and you lift their little legs and kinda push them to help with gas.

Thanks all for the comments & advice. It seems to be a little better today. I really think I'm just hungry. Did anyone find any liquids that seemed to fill them up more than others?

I have a question about your orignal gas pain. I was banded on the 12th (4 day ago). I no longer have the gas pain in the shoulders and back, but, I do have a burning pain at bottom of my rib cage in the center. It feels like really bad heartburn and it is intense but only lasts a few seconds. This only started yesterday. Is this like what you have had? I think I'll call my doctor about it. If this is what you are feeling please let me know what worked best for you. thanks!

Yes of sorts. I don't recall ever having back or shoulder pain but this "hunger" pain, which I'm now thinking it may not be, is very intense and focused center just below my rib cage. It's gotten really bad today and I'm at somewhat of a loss. I haven't found anything that helps although i've been given the ok to try soft foods (mashed potatoes, oatmeal, soup) so I'm going to try that today. It's really killing me today. anyone have any advice?

Called my doctor this morning and described my pain. They told me it was esophageal spasms. Painfull but not serious. They told me that I needed to drink warm liquids and walk. I have been keeping a cup of hot tea near me all day and I am cured! Feeling much, much better! I hope this help you also!

Good suggestion...I tried the hot tea in combination with soft foods (ok'd by doc, mashed taters & cottage cheese), in combination with taking the pain med he gave me and I seem to be getting better. Yesterday afternoon was great and this morning, although started off a little bad, got better and better. So to any newbies reading this...my advice is take all the meds they give you (i didn't want to do the pain ones but ended up taking it), drink hot liquids (great suggestion), and if the doc ok's it cottage cheese and oatmeal have made me feel much better in small quantities.

Almost through the tough part :-)

I was banded May 9th and I had those gas pains but not so much now. Just battling being hungry. I've found it is best to read and not watch too much tv.. Food, food, food! Food and sex...two things you can't have a lot of right now!