Question:
breathing problems

after reading many posts, i find many people have trouble catching their breath when they come out of surgery. also, does it really feel like broken glass in your stomach? my surgery date is 7/12/2000. just getting nervous. has anyone NOT had breathing problems?    — ann R. (posted on June 29, 2000)

June 29, 2000
I am 7 weeks post-op and have had no breathing difficulties at all. I do have asthma, but I have not had any recent flair-ups. Be sure you do whatever breathing exercises they tell you to do after surgery. It will be a touch painful, but they are very important. I have not heard about the broken glass description. Good luck with your surgery - you'll do fine!!!! :):):)
   — Paula G.

June 29, 2000
I have mild asthma and did not have any breathing problems after surgery (3 months postop RNY). A week before surgery (at my preadmission testing) I was given a device that helped train my lungs to expand. I had to blow into this thing four times a day, 20 exhalations each time. Immediately after waking in the recovery room they had me blow into it several times and cough a few times afterwards (the coughing helps clear the lung secretions to prevent pneumonia). Three or four times a day (even during the night) the respiratory therapist came in and gave me a breathing treatment followed by blowing into my contraption and coughing. All this worked and I never had any breathing problems what so ever. I went to a hospital that only does bariatric surgery so I think they were a little more comprehensive when it came to caring for morbidly obese people and knowing how to prevent complications that happen more often in us. As far as the broken glass analogy I wouldn't use that to describe my pain. It was more of a muscle soreness that became more intense if I tried to use my stomach muscles. Good luck to you.
   — Kellie L.

June 29, 2000
Hi Ann--I'm 8 months post op, having the dgb/ds, and to answer your question, No. I never had any problems breathing. My surgery was very uneventful, as far as complications go, breathing or otherwise. I felt different after surgery, but no broken glass or anything. No pain, just different. It's a wild ride...and at the end, Utopia. Enjoy!
   — [Deactivated Member]

June 29, 2000
I had severe disabling sleep apnea and mild asthma. I EXPECTED breathing problems and had none!
   — vitalady