GAS

I've been reading about the painful gas people have right after surgery...is there anything I can do to prevent it? Sounds horrible!!! Jean

Most people's gas is caused from having the surgery laproscopic: they purposely fill ya up with gas in your tummy to make things easier to see.. etc. during surgery. They take most of the gas out before stitchin ya back up,.. but can't get rid of all of it. Therefore you are left with getting rid of the gas on your own. You can't really prevent it.. but you can walk walk walk after surgery... that will help your bowels to wake back up from being put to sleep. It takes awhile and everyone is different. Mine didn't finally all pass until last night, and I had my surgery on Thurs. Morn. Good luck!

thank you, Sara, for the info. My doc has stressed walking (alot) after surgery but didn't say exactly why. Mine will be done laproscopically, so I guess I can expect some of this. I remember having a tubal ligation many years ago, and had a terrible back ache. Was told that was from having the table adjusted on an angle, so there was pressure on your back. Have you experienced that? Hope you are doing better! Jean

When I had my gall bladder out 2 years ago, they warned me about the gas...but I had no pains at all, so I figured I'd be fine for this surgery. Wrong. On the good side, it was the only pain I had, unfortunately, they can load you up on morphine, but you'll always feel the gas. It's only bad for a really short time...and you won't remember that pain after!

Thanks for the encouraging words, Chantal. Take care, Jean

Hi Jean, Yes, gas is horrible. For some it's worse than others. In agreeance with the others...there is nothing you can do to prevent it if you are having RNY via scope. It's necessary for them to be able to see. I've had a previous surgery and didn't have the gas pains like I did this time. My response will mimick close to Chantal's. I really didn't have any pain except the gas pains and my pain meds did nothing to help that. What helped was walking a lot and rocking back and forth on the toilet when I wasn't dizzy. I did have some back pain my first 24 hours but that subsided as time went on. I wasn't able to pass gas until about a full 48 hours after surgery and I tell you, who knew it would be such a blessing to "fart". I know it's gross but to me it was like giving birth all over again. I am 5 days post op and still have some gas pain although not nearly as bad or as often. You'll do fine. Just remember to walk even when you don't want to...it was a lifesaver. Jamie

Thanks, Jaimie, for your input! Guess I just have to deal with it, and, HEY, if that's the worst, bring it on!!! My surg is coming up at the end of the month...can't wait!! Take Care, Jean