Lower back pain and gas bubbles

Hi everyone I had open surgery two weeks ago and is having alot of lower back pain and I am wondering if that is normal since they cut the stomach muscles. This is my first open surgery so I have no idea what to exspect for recovery time. Plus I am getting alot of gas bubbles and is that normal also. Tricia

Tricia, I have heard of many people with the same complaint, my back ached under my shoulder blade which lasted about 6 weeks. It only bothered me when I walked longer than 5 - 8 minutes. To relieve the gas you will need to walk and walk and walk. Take care, Janice

They generally don't cut them but pull them apart. If you had hernia surgery well,,, they uh,,,, um,,,, you know what a cheese grater is? kp

No I did not have hernia surgery I had my bypass surgery corrected by having my two limbs made longer so I can eat food with out reflux. Thanks for the info Tricia

Well, in open surgery they generally pull the abdominus rectus apart and do the work from there . The fascia will reconnect over time but that trauma makes for a long recovery. If you have back pain it is understandable because the AR helps us stand up and walk. Your previous surgery is a factor too. I can only guess it was open also. If that is the case then you probably never really recovered from that. To help you ease your pain try standing on one leg for a short while then alternate to the other leg. When you do stand on both legs try not to lock your knees - it shifts your sacrum posterior/superior and that will pull on your abs and make them weak then your back will spasm to compensate. Simple exercises like laying on your back and pulling your knees towards your chest will help. You can start with a pillow under your legs because starting from level will be tough. You don't have to go all the way up either- just to when it is tight. WEAR YOUR BINDER AT ALL TIMES ESPECIALLY WHEN DOING THESE EXCERCISES. When you are sitting you can kinda do the same thing one leg at time. Make sure you are sitting straight with the proper curve in your spine and you feel equal weight on both cheeks. Do about 5 reps of these at a time 3 times a day and you will feel a difference. I hope that helps. kp

heh heh you said rectus....heh heh

Ooops kp

I almost forgot. Gas - yes. Take gas ex and fart. Walking will help. kp