Lots of gas around my diaphragm

Hi all,

I was banded on 07/07 and am still very happy I went through with it. However, today, I have been plagued with horrible, horrible pressure around my diaphragm area. There is so much gas inside my stomach and feel like I need to burp so bad, but nothing comes out! I have tried walking, Gas-x strips, which has caused some gas the other end, I even tried a Phazyme tablet and am getting a headache because if I drink anything it really causes even more pressure and it's so miserable!!! So, I know I am not getting in enough protein or water. I called my doctor today, and they just recommended the gas-x and moving a lot. When I get up to move the gas feels like it starts in my lower stomach area and tries to come up to where I guess the band is and won't go any further.

I am just so miserable from this. Will it ever pass??

Thank you
Paulette

Hi, Paulette.
Yes, it will pass. Keep walking, and use the Gax-X strips as often as allowed, per the directions. You may find that sitting on the toilet helps, too. I know it's all uncomfortable, but it won't last forever, I promise. :)
You must get your liquids in. It's even more important than protein, right now. You do not want to get dehydrated and land in the hospital for IV fluids. Get a 2-3 oz. shot glass, so the amount doesn't seem so overwhelming, and keep track on paper. Sip, sip, sip--all day long. you'll get there.
Blessings,
Mary

Hi Mary,

Thank you! I felt sort of panicky yesterday because I was having so much discomfort and knowing I need the protein and the fluids, but each time I drank anything it made the pressure so much worse. I still have a lot of gas in my tummy, but it seems to be letting up a little. I will continue some Gas-X and moving more today and see if that helps. I just wonder if I will ever get the ability to burp back again. Wow! It's amazing what we take for granted when we can't do it anymore.

Thank you so much, Mary.
Paulette

Paulette,
I just don't know...My first thought was call the doctor, but you did that.... I'm sure that the banders will be on pretty soon and can help with that one....in the meantime, girl, I am praying and praying! It all passes eventually....it's part of the journey....now how long it takes, is another story...for some it passes soon, others, longer....It's a personal journey and none are the same. I am sure hoping though, that someone can give you some thoughts.....
Hang in there....Try heating pads....and drinking warm broth...heat always helped me.

Hugs!
Sherry

Sherry,

Thank you. I didn't try the heating pads. It "seems" to have lightened up a little, but I still can't burp. I feel there is lots and lots of gas in my stomach. It really made it hard to drink much of anything yesterday. I slept on my left side sort of propped up last night and that seemed to help take the pressure off. I got on the scale this morning out of curiosity and have lost 3 pounds since surgery. That is worth some discomfort I suppose. I will definitely try the heating pad idea.

Big hugs,
Paulette

This too shall pass..... OK I couldn't resist I am in an onary mood today. But yes Paulette it does get better though you wonder at times.

You will be able to burp again-at least I can (and I can fart too just in case you wondered about that).

The gas they put in your stomach has to absorb-it isn't actually in your stomach but your body cavity, and there is no outlet for it.

I found sleeping propped up for awhile helped relieve the pressure and I sat in the recliner a lot and walked a lot.

It's an incredibly frustrating feeling to feel like you need to pass gas but can't.  And it's ironic that you wake up for WLS feeling bloated..... 

Hi Deb,

Thank you so much for your input. I definitely don't have a problem with it coming out the other end. I have found that if I pull in with my throat, kind of like hiccups, I can "suck" some of the air out of my stomach, but if I do it too much it makes me gag. So, I know there is gas in my stomach because when I can manage to get some of the air out, it does help the diaphragm out. Another strange thing is after getting a significant amount of air out I will usually get hunger pangs, as I have not been the best about getting the protein in because if I drink anything, I get that buildup of gas. I did feel better today, however. So, maybe things are starting to get a little bit better. I hope. I can't imagine never being able to burp again. I was doubting myself last night if I did the right thing I was so miserable!

Thank you so much again, Deb.

Paulette