Question:
I am having chest pain...
Hi, I had surgery on March 9th and got my staples out this past Tuesday. Today I am having a lot of chest pain and was just wondering if anyone knew what was causing it. I am afraid i may be pushing myself too much or something for this to happen. It is very uncomfortable. I have tried very little food and that seems to be when it happens. Mostly I am having liquids, broth, soups blended, protein drinks, potatoes mashed. I can't figure it out. — missyheffelfinger (posted on March 22, 2007)
March 22, 2007
It sounds like you are having issues with tolerating whatever it is that
you are trying (food wise). I know when I was at the two-three week mark,
if I introduced something that was too high in sugar/fat/carbs, whatever
the trigger, my heart would race until the food passed. Maybe keep to full
liquids for a few more days....maybe your pouch/body isn't ready for what
you're feeding it yet. Just my opinion......LAP/RNY on 2/15/07.
— jammerz
March 22, 2007
H iMissy,
I am almost 3 years out and still experiencing that pain. Mine comes on and
last a few days. I go to all liquids until it passes. I believe it may be
food caught since when I eat is when the pain comes on. I am going to the
MD soon to se if we can come up with a more definate answer. Good luck and
God Bless.
Sonja Lima
San Diego, CA
open RNY 9/04
— Son-Son
March 22, 2007
Missy, I am 4 weeks out and started solid proteins two days ago and have
had trouble. Pain in the chest and back, also puking. The first time this
lasted about four hours. I think maybe it's too soon for certain solids,
the pouch is very sensitive. Good luck, I hope you feel better soon!
— jlw0423
March 22, 2007
Missy,
I don't think mashed potatoes are on the menu at this point. No Carbs --
potatoes, breads, rice, pasta, crackers will put that pain in your chest.
If you are blending the soups -- make sure you are taking out the pasta and
rice -- anything that says carbs --run like the wind. Carbs are not
suppose to be in your diet for another 6 months or so. I'm 4 weeks out and
no carbs are yet in my diet. Had my 1 month post op yesterday and told
them about my cracker incident and boy did I catch it from the nurse. So
no carbs -- that will cause the pain in your chest. Stop the potatoes and
see if the pain goes away. And chew, chew, chew.
— the7thdean
March 22, 2007
PLEASE ANYONE WITH CHEST PAIN, ESPECIALLY IF YOUR POST OP. Call your
Doctor. It's probably nothing, but if your wrong your DEAD.
— smparker2
March 22, 2007
Missy... you should call your doctor. It could be alot of things... could
be your heart, but it could also be epigastric pain that feels like chest
pain, or trapped gas still from the surgery, although I would have thought
that it would have been reabsorbed by now. When in doubt call you doctor..
— Kari_K
March 22, 2007
Hi Missy. It can be scary to have things happen that didn't before. I
appreciate your question. First things first, if you think you are having
a heart of health issue, CALL YOUR SURGEON! Even if it turns out to be
nothing, you must check in with them. Having said that and emphasizing the
urgency of that comment, let me say that you are probably having food
anxiety. Your body fears it will starve, even to death, it will battle you
tooth and nail for each pound of permanent weight that you lose. It is a
huge head game, and it can cause anxiety in some people. I deal with
anxiety with Bible reading and prayer. It is my source of strength and
guidance. I am a born again believer, and trust my God and Savior
completely, this gives me peace in a time of trial. You need a source that
is not food that will relax you. You need to trust that you made the right
decision and don't go backwards on it (it is too late now to turn back, so
just move forward). Learn to celebrate in non food ways the victories you
are getting, and learn to cut yourself a break or two so that you can
breathe! Please call your doctor and I really hope you have a great day.
If you don't know Jesus Christ as your Savior and have an interest, I would
be please to share Him with you, just ask. Take care, sincerely, Patricia
P
— Patricia P
March 23, 2007
My surgery was Feb 27th. (Down -38 lbs!!). I had never had heart burn
before. I did not know how it felt. But at about 2 1/2 wks I could not
stand the bland anymore & tried a little bit of chili on my EggBeater.
I was sick all day. I finally found an RX the Dr had given me before
surgery & told me to fill when & if I needed it. It was for Pepcid.
Pepcid is now over the counter. And just a nibble of the edge of a pill is
usually enough to settle my new little "pouch". And I have used
it several times since, though it has not been nearly as bad since.
Yesterday PA said use it almost daily as I start on pureed foods for the
next 3 weeks. That would be ok. Best Luck. MK
— asinmouse
March 24, 2007
I have that pain if I don't chew well enough (but I didn't start solids
until I was 2 months post-op)... the first time it happened I thought I was
going to have a heart attack and almost started driving to the hospital and
then the pain was gone. For 3 hours before I had been burping up foam and
just in a lot of pain. Turns out I hadn't chewed the chicken I'd eaten up
well enough and it had to come back up. Don't try too much too fast, that's
my advice. Feed your pouch bland liquids for a while--- no starches yet...
that's what I'd do. Also, for about 3 weeks after surgery I felt like my
chest was "caving in" and my surgeon called it "rib
traction"... I guess they push your ribs up when they do the surgery
and so stuff if bruised in there for a while. Call your Doc either way and
let him/her know what's going on. Best wishes! (open RNY/ 12-27-06 100
lbs GONE!
— airbear762000
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