Question:
non-surgical pain

Hi again - i am now 17 days post op - eating fine - drinking at least 80 oz of fluid a day without trouble. Walking 1.5 miles a day. My weightloss as of this morning is 16 lbs - can't complain. My question for today is i am having a lot of "pain" - the my back hurts in the middle of my shoulder blades, and in my lower abd. It is not surgical pain - it is like a constipation, radiating pain. I have had a couple BM's in the last couple of days, but i feel really constipated. Do we need to take fiber - how? How about a laxitive or stool softener - would love any help... Joanna    — machre (posted on January 6, 2008)

January 5, 2008
Hello, when I had surgery in oct. I had the same pain but my doc. told me it was gas from when they pump it into you in surgery. He said to walk and let it take its course it will come out. You still might want to call your doc just to make sure
   — biglou

January 6, 2008
Yes, as the other poster said. It's probably gas pain especially since you feel it back behind your shoulder blades. You're already walking so that will help. Hang in there it will go away! You shouldn't need any fiber or stool softener at this point. Because your not eating regular foods at this point, (if you had rny not lapband), you might not have a BM everyday. Once you start back on regular foods that's when you need to keep better track. See if someone can massage between your shoulder blades to make the pain go away. The other just try to bear it as I said I promise it does go away however it can take up to a month before all the gas is out of your system. It's always best to call your surgeon and or nutritionist and see what they say. Good luck, God bless and welcome to the losing side!
   — crystalsno

January 6, 2008
Hi, I am new to this. My surgery is tomorrow. It does sound like gas pains. During a laporscopic procedure they pump you up will lots and lots of air. As far as your laxative question. Consult with your doctor, but mine said never take a laxative again, and no chewable or tablet fiber.
   — mary_rn

January 6, 2008
Hi, I am new to this. My surgery is tomorrow. It does sound like gas pains. During a laporscopic procedure they pump you up will lots and lots of air. As far as your laxative question. Consult with your doctor, but mine said never take a laxative again, and no chewable or tablet fiber. Mary
   — mary_rn

January 6, 2008
Joanne, Congradulations, on your get sucess. For me I need to take a colace exery evening ( it keeps the stool soft) and I take two sugar free Fiber Choice disk. They are chewable, taste is acceptable. And I go the bathroom without any problem. galuecrab 3-2-07 244/145/140
   — gabluecrab

January 6, 2008
Joanna, I am 3 weeks post op. I have had the same pain. Is the abdominal pain anywhere near one of your incisions. Mine is by the incision where they did all the manipulating and use of the staple gun. My surgeon said that the pain could be from scar tissue trying to form. Your back and shoulder pain probably is from gas. It will get better, and sometimes it just comes and goes.
   — Crickett_1

January 6, 2008
Hi Joanna. If your problem is not constipation, then it may be dehydration. Make sure you are drinking enough fluid, atleast a gallon a day, and make sure your electrolytes are in balance. Sometimes that involves drinking something like pedialyte.
   — photohound3

January 6, 2008
At 2 1/2 weeks out, I had a lot of pain between my shoulder blades. I went to my chiropracter for an adjustment and felt much better. I figure it was from the odd cushions that had under my back when in surgery. I get abdominal pain every now and then, too. I attribute that to trapped gas. I also get pains by the incisions - probably scar tissue forming. Best wishes.
   — gonnadoit

January 7, 2008
Hi Joanna, for stool help I use something called miralax. You can get it by perscription or at a local pharmacy. Miralax is the non perscription name. It is a white powder that you mix with fluid (I use juice). It is NON habit forming, and I use only a HALF dose. You are not too far post wls, so you need to take a small dose. I would try half. Use a quarter dose if you need to, but it works wonders with constipation, it is non habit forming and has NO flavor to it. I had no trouble taking it when I need to. It takes a few days to work, but once it does, I stay pretty regular for a while but I would use it regular if I needed to. Also exercise helps clean you out. You are already a 1.5 miles a day, so keep up the good work. Take care. Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

January 9, 2008
I am curious about the gas pain, your post op photo shows a huge scar down the middle of your tummy. DID they even put gas in your belly? Or did they do an open surgery instead of laparoscopic? If they didn't use the gas on you, you might want to get an opinion from your doctor. Could be something else brewing. I am pre-op, but I am an RN...anybody else think like me?
   — largeangel

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