Question:
Terribly painful gas and bloating 18 mos post op -- I'm terrified

In the last couple of days I have experienced terrible gas pains ... akin to the ones I remember one week after my R and Y (laproscopically done). I'm terrified that it's not gas, but that I've ruptured something. The pain is high up in my abdomen. I took a laxative when I realized that I had not pooped for a couple of days hoping that it was a combination of constipation and something else. So, now I've pooped, and every muscle in my stomach is sore ... and the bloated, gassy feeling is continuing. What DOES it feel like when you rupture something? I've recently moved to another state and don't have access to my original surgeon, so I'd like to get some idea about what MIGHT be going on before I go looking for help from a doctor in my "new" town. Thanks! Terry    — Terry F. (posted on February 15, 2004)

February 15, 2004
If the pain is bad I encourage you to get checked immediately. I seriously doubt you ruptered anything but do check your temperature. If you have a fever report to the ER immediately. You have to remember that stuff like this occured to me pre op and still happens occasionally as a postie. Not evertything is WLS related. Do call your original surgeon they may be able to refer you to someone in your area.
   — bob-haller

February 15, 2004
I just recently had problems with that and I found out I am lactose intolerant. I started taking lactaid and it really has helped. Just a thought. 292/196/165 6/27/03
   — horserider0146

February 15, 2004
I am also about a year & a half out & having the same problem. From what I have heard many many others go through it also at one point in time or other.. My guess is that is has something to do with what we eat & also the amounts..Think back to before the surgery.. Almost everyone then had trouble with gas & bloating at one time or another also.. Hope you feel better soon.
   — Anne T.

February 16, 2004
Well, "yikes." I would seriously consider getting to an E.R. and getting scanned, scoped, whatever, to determine whether you've got a bowel obstruction or kinked bowels. I just don't know enough to guess whether you might have that condition, but *if* you do, it is a serious, life-threatening condition. Can be difficult to diagnose. Probably a bit more common for those of us who've had WLS, because we now have adhesions from healing up from surgery, that can wrap around intestines and make 'em kink up, but this can happen to non-WLS people as well.<P>I would get thee to an E.R. right away, and preferrably, consult with a gastrointestinal specialist. The fact that you were "stopped up" makes me wonder whether this is beyond gas, and if so, if you've got a bowel obstruction. Don't delay.
   — Suzy C.

February 16, 2004
Terry: Obviously, the answer is to see your WLS surgeon/surgical group right away. I thought I was having gallbladder pains, but when that was ruled out I thought I would just have to live with the terrible discomforts of gas & bloating forever post-op. When I saw my surgeon, he diagnosed an internal hernia. When they went back in to check...it turned out I had TWO hernias. Please don't ignore these things. They can be something a lot more serious than we think. Good luck...Amy
   — Amy A.

February 17, 2004
Wow, I just experienced almost the same thing 2 days ago. I had incredible abdominal pains that kinda felt like gas. I chugged pepto and mylanta and the pain got so bad, I had to go to the ER. I had two natural childbirths so I am no baby with pain, but they actually had to give me morphine. I had a catscan and bloodwork and they found nothing wrong. So it was all assumed to be gas. But I am visiting with my surgeon next week just in case. I am 20 months post op and never had that before!
   — emilyfink