Question:
6 Years Post-Op and having VERY painful gas pocket.

A few weeks ago, I had SEVERE back pain and after multiple doctor visits and chiropractor appointments it was discovered that I had a HUGE gas pocket. I missed work over gas! Anyone else ever have that? What is causing it? I thought gas pockets were something caused by surgery. Any thoughts?    — Kath442 (posted on June 13, 2007)

June 13, 2007
Hi Kathy, I will be 8 yrs out in December and yes I have this sometimes. I discovered what it was because the pain was so severe it sent me to the ER. I know what you are going through. Unfortunately there does not seem to be a magic fix. As far as the cause I was told that could vary. Gas x has helped relieve it for me in the past and a couple years ago my primary dr. gave me a prescription, but I dont remember the name. Maybe your dr can prescribe something? It did help at the time. Hope this helps, Donna
   — ~Donna~ V.

June 13, 2007
sorry i hit the wrong button, they determined that i had a plug of ....well.....crap lodged at the site where they rewired the bowels and intestines and all that stuff. they put me on clear liquids for a couple of days and then more dense liquids for a day after that. also they stated that i had a lot of extra bowel and that was creating the cramping that i get with all this "air" such a polite way to put it...LOL good luck!
   — peggster

June 14, 2007
It's been years since I posted on this wonderful site. Nice to be back! I had my surgery in August 2003 with fantastic results. Unfortunately, after years of complication-free living, I ended up in emergency surgery last week for a bowel obstruction/hernia repair. I had experienced moderate to severe abdominal pain from trapped gas over the years on and off, but unlike my past experiences (when the pain quickly abated), the pain this time around didn't resolve on its own. I experienced severe stomach pains and burning pains in my lower back, bad enough I felt compelled to go the ER. They treated my pain with morphine and then sent me home. And hour after I got into bed, around 1:00 in the morning, I began to vomit (which as you know is a lot more like dry heaving after gastric bypass). I was violently nauseous for the next 16 hours straight. I returned to the ER and after several agonizing hours and four different pharmaceutical attempts to relieve my nausea, I was finally taken for a CAT scan, where my problem was at last discovered. The portion of my intestine leading away from my "old stomach" had become herniated and thereby obstructed. My intestine had fallen into the space beneath it created when the surgeon pulled the intestine away from the web of capillaries below during the original bypass. The herniation obstructed the flow of stomach acid and gases (and whatever else the old stomach sends packing) from escaping. As a result my old stomach and the intestine leading away from it swelled enormously, a very dangerous situation that can lead to a rupture. Still I languished for a week in the hospital before finally calling my surgeon. He instructed me to remove my IV and speed to his office (an hour and forty-five minutes away) for emergency surgery. He told me that the obstruction should have been repaired IMMEDIATELY and that I was in "catastrophic danger." While it is incredibly dangerous to leave an obstructed bowel to resolve itself, the actual surgery to resolve the obstruction was simple and is nothing at all to fear. I had surgery on Thursday morning and was discharged Friday afternoon, with a stomach my surgeon said would be better than new. Just to be safe, after my marathon adventures in agony last week, I really, really recommend that you contact your surgeon and ask have a thorough check-up to make sure the pipes are all working correctly, especially after so many years. The x-rays in the ER showed nothing. Neither did the Upper GI a few days later. It was the CAT scan that did the trick. According to my surgeon, only 4% of gastric bypass patients experience a herniated bowel. So the odds are very much in your favor. But better safe than sorry. Take care!
   — jenpatalano

September 14, 2007
Hi there, Iam also almost 6 years post op with a great result, however again I also developed this pain that sent me and had me admitted 5 times over the last 2 years. I have had every test known to man and no one can seem to find out what is wrong. when this gas hits my stomach swells bad and ther only thing that helps is hydration via iv and morphine in the hospital for 3-4 days. Does anyone have any thing that may help.. I did this to be healthy and this is breaking my spirits.
   — swtnsxy0219