I just had my lap band surgery yesterday. I am having pains in between my breasts, feels like in my sternum. Is this normal? How can this pain be alleviated?

Also, how soon do most people go back to work?

Stace

Congrats on your surgury. The pain is more than likely gas pains. Almost everyone has it. It is from the gas they pump into you when you have the surgury. It travels around. Walking helps. Or lay on your bed with your feet proped against the wall oe head board. Pull your legs towards you. Repeat 10x's . Roll your shoulders, 1 at a time for 5x's each then together, going frontwards and backwards. Do you have any Gas-X strips? they help also.

Hopefully this helps you.

Stace, I just had my surgery on Monday 14 July and came on here to ask the same question, so guess it is a common thing to happen. I was told to take Prilosec OTC (by the nurse prior to surgery). I have begun taking it, but it takes a while to get into your system, I presume. I have this pain constantly, so am guessing it is heartburn. I am also having a problem with a searing, burning pain whenever I bend over the slightest bit or turn the least bit in bed. The pain is coming from the port area wound. Guessing this is normal as well....you having this problem? How are you coming along with the liquid diet? Are you having success with knowing when you are full without getting overfull? I haven't had much appetite, cannot stand broth, so that is out for me. I am now on phase two or full liquids where at least I can have liquidy cream of wheat and yogurt added to my diet. I have also added grits to give me something salty. I needed those...they really tasted good to me. Funny how something normally so plain taste so great now. LOL! I cannot eat much of course, but am having a hard time with not drinking during my meal. I am also having a hard time drinking enough liquids and taking all of my vitamins. Not use to either. Good luck with your diet and your weight loss. Where do they get the ticker goal loss thingys? Any idea? Jodi

Hi---I was banded June 16th. Other than gas pains in the sternum area, if you had a hiatal hernia repair that could also be some of it, I did and it tends to make the pain alittle worse.

Also, you can get your tickers at tickerfactory.com and all you do is go to weight loss, chose your ticker ruler and slider, enter your info then copy the bbCode. Then on Lap Band Talk go to edit profile, and on the left click on edit signature, at the bottom of the page undersignature picture copy your bbCode in the option one box, click on preview signature to make sure it's what you want then click on save and it should work for you.

Good Luck on your band journey. Leah

The pain was the first thing I mentioned as I was coming out of anesthesia. The nurse said it from the anesthesia. I also just got back from the emergency room for something else and was told that it could be from the hiatal hernia repair or the tube they put down my throat during surgery.

hi guys i just had surgery on monday i feel the exact same symptoms im freaking out thinking maybe my band slipped but the pain u r describing is the exact pain i feel especially in my left side and my chest its killing me i know i worry 2 much but im thinking maybe im drinking 2 fast can your band slip with just fluids? im not vomiting just in alot of pain

Hi - I was banded on July 10, so I'm a few days ahead of you. I am happy to report that on Day 9 post-op have have nearly no pain at all, so hang in there. For me, one pesky incision hurts a bit, but that's it!

Do you know if you fill-port was placed near your sternum? My surgeon warned me that the incision there would be the most painful due to the placment of the port. On the other hand, if it's gas...walk, walk, walk. It was the very best medicine for me.

Divamom - thanks for the "how-to ticker" info!

Hey guys, I was banded 7/17 and have experienced pain under the chest area as well. I have found that lying flat makes it worse! I think it is still swelling in the surgical area pushing up on the diaphragm and when you lie flat all the fluid gravitates up. I even felt a little short of breath this morning until I had been up awhile. I have tried to sleep somewhat elevated each night, but sometimes wake up in a flat position. I don't think this problem should last more than a few days!

Hey guys, I was banded 7/17 and have experienced pain under the chest area as well. I have found that lying flat makes it worse! I think it is still swelling in the surgical area pushing up on the diaphragm and when you lie flat all the fluid gravitates up. I even felt a little short of breath this morning until I had been up awhile. I have tried to sleep somewhat elevated each night, but sometimes wake up in a flat position. I don't think this problem should last more than a few days!

i cant lie flat at all ive been sleeping in my recliner chair since i got home from the hospital i cant wait for all this pain from the gas to go away if u have a recliner try sleeping on that it works wonders good luck!

Hi all! I was banded 7/8/08 and noticed the same pain. Mine was mostly due to gas, and I agree that walking was the best medicine. I also noticed that I did have some issues with inhaling deeply, but Kaiser gave me an Incentive Spirometer to help with getting all of the anesthesia out of my lungs. I would have sort of a crushing feeling in my lungs until I got all of that out of there. Make sure that you are breathing deeply several times a day for about the first week to make sure your lung capacity gets back to normal! Believe me, it gets better. I am going back to work tomorrow and can't wait! I was 210 on my surgery date and was 198.8 this morning!! GOODBYE 200's!!!!

Hi Stace

I'm 2 wks post op now and in that 1st week had agonizing pain in just the same place as you, i thought something was badly wrong to be in so much pain. It came in waves and was very intense. I got in touch with my doc and he said it was quite usual and it would go in a couple of days. He was right! As suddenly as it came , it went, so try not to worry.

All the best

Julia x