Question:
Having very bad tummy pains please need help!!!

I had my surgery April 12 2002. I'm doing well with the weight loss 78 pound but for the past two weeks i have been getting horrible stomach pains. The pains starts around my belly button and goes up all the way to my boobs.On the Right side. I take my Zantac and sometimes it works and sometimes not. Last night I was in tears I thought maybe if I went to the bathroom I would be ok. Went a little and the pain was even worse. I finialy had my husband help me with an enama. Some relief but still hurts. Any thoughts of what this could be and what may help the pain. Sorry for being so long winded....    — sarah C. (posted on August 6, 2002)

August 6, 2002
Do you still have your gall bladder?? If so, it could be that. If not, maybe they are GAS pains. Try Gas-X.
   — Kim B.

August 6, 2002
Hi Sarah...I'm sorry you're in pain...I can relate. 5 months post op, I had pains, which turned out to be a bad gallbladder (had it removed). 8 months after that, more pains, turned out to be a staple line disruption and recently had a revision. Were you transected? It could really be anything, hopefully something minor. I would call your surgeon and ask for an Upper GI and Endoscopy. Keep us posted and good luck.
   — Maureen S.

August 6, 2002
I have had a few episodes where I slowly had pain increase in my entire belly. It is awful and can bring me to tears. I even compared it to contractions that dont go away. What was it? GAS. I called surgeon first time and they told me to get some gas medicine and see if it helped. It did. I had relief within 5 mins. Walkin also helps. Gets stuff moving ;) I now keep a bottle of maalox(with gas med) in my house at all times. Now on the occasional time I feel it coming on or something I think feels like it I take some and I am fine. Good Luck
   — tn683

August 6, 2002
Call your surgeon/Dr. It could be nothing but gas, but then it could be a twisted bowel, diverticulitis, appendicitis, bum gall bladder, esophageal ulcers, aortic aneurism... don't want to scare you, but your well-meaning friends here, me included, are not in a position to know what your doctor does... Call. If you're in tears, this is nothing to "fart" around with. Best of luck....
   — Nancy G.

August 6, 2002
Sounds like you need to see your doctor! I suggest that you call tomarrow for an appointment or go to urgent care if it gets really bad.
   — Suzanne D.

August 6, 2002
I have to tell you, I just got out of the hospital today for severe stomach pains. I'm 6 weeks out and down 40 pounds and I started to have severe abdominal pains about 2 weeks ago, my doctor put me in the hospital and found out I have an ulcer and an inflamed pouch. Don't hesitate to call your doc. Call tomorrow.
   — Kathleen S.

August 6, 2002
I had small bowel obstruction at 14 months post op and the symptoms sounds similar. Although I don't think I could have lasted a few weeks with this pain. I barely lasted 2 days until getting hospitalized. Read my profile for more information (the dates are in December 2001 and beyond). I would strongly suggest you call your surgeon. Even if it is only Gas, its better to be safe than sorry. Feel free to email me if you wish to chat. Good luck,
   — enjo4