Eight Days Out and Upper GI distress

Blackirishannie · January 25, 2009

Hi all,

I was banded 1/16 and have moved from the clear liquid phase to the full liquids (protein shakes mostly). But I can't even have Water without feeling like I have indigestion. Truly it hurts all the time, in the area below my breasts right in the center. I don't seem to have a problem going to the bathroom, but I can't get out a burp...they just won't come out even though they want to...and it hurts! Is this still gas and bloating? I saw my doc on Friday and he said everything looks good and that I can start to exercise. But I'm still so tired I was out of breath walking the mall this morning. Any suggestions on relieving some of the pain, or just confirmation that you have experienced this too?? Thanks!

*slim* · January 25, 2009

It is possible that it is still gas. You also may still have swelling from surgery. You just want to take your time when drinking. Your sips might be too big at this point. It takes a little while to get used to the small sips. Also try putting a heating pad in the location of your chest pain (but not directly on any incisions). That may help. I hope you feel better soon.

Edited January 25, 2009 by *slim*

nfl1 · January 25, 2009

I had pain right there too, I was banded on 1/20, and the heating pad on my back with an ice bag on the site of the pain helped me. I found I was swallowing air with my sips, esp. if I didn't use a spoon (ie for soup), so have tried hard now to be smaller and smaller. I walked a lot to get rid of gas, and felt like a gorilla pounding my chest a lot to try to dislodge the gas, it worked most of the time and I've been able to burp a lot now.

The time the pain was worst was when I'd had too much to drink at once (they said 2T gradually working to 3/4 c per hour over the first few days) so maybe you're having too much and do have more swelling than others?

I've slept with the heating pad behind me, and stayed in the recliner until last night, when I was finally able to try to lay on my side bumpered with pillows. Not sure if you are changing positions?

Good luck!

bumble-bee · January 26, 2009

I totally know what you're going through! I spent the first 10 days post op in such agony that I thought I'd made a huge mistake having this surgery. The gas pains in my shoulder and chest were utterly unbearable.

On day 10, I heard about simethicone. It's found in some anti-gas products (like Mylanta and Maalox but check the label).

Wikipedia says: "Simethicone is an anti-foaming agent that decreases the surface tension of gas bubbles, causing them to combine into larger bubbles in the stomach that can be passed more easily by burping. Simethicone does not reduce the quantity of gas in the digestive tract, it only increases the rate at which it exits the body, and is ineffective in the intestine."

It can't hurt to try, right? It worked wonders for me!

gentylwind · January 26, 2009

Gas and swelling. It goes away in time. For me it took about three weeks.

JCNY29 · January 26, 2009

I too have agony with gas pains! right under the breats in the center. I take

Gas-X which has simethicone in it. 2 strips at a time. they work!!! heating pad on chest & neck for a fer hours works wonders. Good Luck & Keep in touch!

Blackirishannie · January 26, 2009

Thanks all; I will be trying all of your advice. I've been trying to take smaller sips and eating slower. It took me from 9am until 11:30 to finish a cup of yogurt. I hope THAT continues for the rest of my life! The Mylanta is going to get a test drive tonight. I haven't found the gasx that great but I've only been doing 1 strip at a time. I also think I'll give the MoM a try as well.

Thanks again!! :blush: