1 Day Post-0p and Woke up from Bloated Pain

Hi there -- first post here!

I had the surgery on Thursday afternoon and just now I woke up at 3:30 and realized I was quite bloated, all in my upper abdominal region.  I haven't had any BMs since the day before the surgery, but I also haven't taken any Metamucil up until this point so I just poured myself a glass.  Do you think this is the reason for my bloating or should I be more concerned?

I'll try to go back to sleep and see if I'm still feeling bloatd in the morning, but any advice would be much appreciated.  Thank you!!

-Kristen

I was just banded on monday and I am still experiencing some bloatedness, the doctor said not to worry about not having  a BM as there would be little in your system while on the clear liquid diet but he did say that the bloated feeling is normal after surgery and the best way to combat it was to move around and that passing gas and burping is very normal. my doctor also said that after a week if still experiencing the bloated feeling you can use an over the counter anti gas medication if needed but to check with him first. so you may just want to call your doctor and see. I notice that the days I am up and move around more I am able to pass more gas ( I know really gross but hey such is life) and that brings more relief. I think you wake up with it because you have been laying still in one place all night so try moving around a bit maybe taking a short walk and see if that helps, I know it helps me tremendously.

Sounds like you both are having a good recovery so far! Don't worry about the BM's, they will come when it is time. My surgeon was really kind to me in the fact that he removed almost all of the excess gas from my stomach cavity after he did my surgery. I had very little trouble with gas pains/shoulder pain but I was swollen a little bit. I think what you're going thru is completely normal. Don't be surprised as your stomach wakes up to hear a lot of digestive noises. I didn't expect that so it was definitely a weird situation! My kids got a kick out of it though... LOL. You could literally hear my stomach rumble and make noise from across the room. Luckily it didn't last very long!

Good luck!
Hope

thanks for the words of encouragement ladies.  this bloating is tough to handle but at least knowing it's temporary is helping a bit.  one day at a time...  :)

Hi Kristen,

I was banded on 3/23 and I had a similar problem as you.  It goes away, but it is so uncomfortable until then.  Here's a few things that I found helped:

1. Walk.  The docs and nurses told me this over and over and I underestimated the value of it because it really does work.

2. Stretching. - Only as much as you can but moving your back can help

3. Avoiding Lactose - I wasn't lactose intolerant before the surgery but after, I had the worse time digesting it.  Which was a hardship because I was drinking so much protein shakes (and some protein mixes have lactose in them) I switched over to Lactaid and Isopure Vanilla powder at the suggestion of my nurse and it made a BIG difference. 

Congrats on your surgery and good luck. 

-Robyn

i didn't even consider the lactose issue... i've just been drinking the shakes my doctor recommended.  i'll look into those lactose-free shakes & see if that makes a difference. thanks robyn!