Hello All,

I was just banded on May 21, Wednesday. I have been experiencing tightness in my chest. I could think of several reasons why but I want to know what have your past experiences been? I think I could have pulled a muscle. I also think it could be gas. Someone said my body is getting used to the "new " stomach. I need to know how to stop it. Any suggestions? I hurts to the point where I can't wear a bra because it is cause shortness of breath and pain. Any suggestions? Also, I have no preexisting chest/heart issues.

More detail: The pain is mostly between my breast. It is usually triggered by movement or deep breathing. It's more like soreness or tighteness than pain. If it were pain I would have gone to the hosptial already. So i guess it feels more like tightness or soreness.

Edited May 24, 200818 yr by sbranch
More Details

Could you describe the pain more specifically? That might help....

Is it constant or come and go?

Localized or spread out?

What makes it better or worse?

Edited May 24, 200818 yr by TerriDoodle

I have no medical training, so this suggestion is only from what I remember of my experience, but if you came home with a little device to breathe into, I'd suggest you continue using that for a couple weeks longer. I wasn't able to take deep breaths when I came home and that really helped. You might want to give your doctor's office a call to see what they suggest or to determine if you need to be examined sooner than your follow up appointment.

I do remember having a pain in one area of my chest for a longer period. It was more like a sore muscle.

Good luck and congratulations on being banded.

Oh, good suggestion, Kelly! I forgot about the breathing exercises! I found those to be VERY important and something you don't hear people talking about a whole lot here.

If your doctor didn't give you instructions and a spirometer to use, then what you need to do is breathe in and out as deeply as you can, for about 10 minutes, every two hours. You will find it helps SO much.

I can ALMOST guarantee you are having GAS PAINS! Check the forum for threads on gas pains...but it sounds EXACTLY like what I felt! The best relief I found was walking and a heating pad. Oh, and hot tea was nice too...check out postings though, cuz I swear, it's what it sounds like!

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I will try the spirometer, the tea and the heating pad.