Stomach Pains

Hi All - I had my surgery on 4/18/05. The first few weeks I did pretty good, however this past week I've noticed that I am not able to eat as much. The first few weeks I was worried that I was able to eat too much as I think I was able to eat at least a half cup. However this past week I've been eating two-three bites and then I get this horrible pressure. Then that is followed by hours of stomach pains. Is this all part of my body still healing from the surgery or do you all think something else might be going on? Thanks in advance for your advice. Laura

Laura, I wondered how you were doing. Did you have fun this past weekend? As far as your stomach goes, I would call your surgeons' office and just see what they say. Maybe it is gas pressure which you could take gas-x or mylanta for, or another good thing that my surgeons office suggested was pepto bismal which you can take in liquid or caplets. You just want to make sure that there isn't anything seriously wrong. Take care and email me, maybe we can get together soon. chris

That happened to me also and I was constipated. I just took MOM and by the next day I was better. HOWEVER!!! I had to make sure that it didn't happen again. I ended up taking MOM frequently until I could take fresh ground flax seed and now I never have that problem anymore. Thank goodness for this message board talking about flax seed. =) If you need more information on flax seed, just ask on the main boards... you will find out all the good they do and other new people will find out about them as I did. (btw, I did call my Dr. about the pain and he is the one that told me to take the MOM and that constipation was a very common cause of pain after surgery...so I would call your Dr. first)

Laura, I would agree, call your surgeon, but it sounds like you are at the right point for maximal swelling of the connection between the pouch and the small intestine (the "anastomosis" or "stoma"). We see this a lot during this time period. Usually it gets better over a couple of weeks on its own, but now and then we have to go in and stretch it with a balloon. Good luck, Dr. C The Deaconess Surgical Weight Loss Center Cincinnati, Ohio (513) 559-2545

Laura, Did you call the doctor? Let me know if you need anything! Jill

I haven't called the doctor, I think I'm gonna try to ride it out a few days. Ok, I am so stubborn.