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Trapped gas from lap gallbladder removal

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 4/8/2010 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
I have trapped gas from lap gallbladder removal on 3/23/10 . I am bloated,having severe sharp pains  in upper stomach,chest pain and shoulder pain. My surgeon says just walk as much as you can and it will eventually work its way out. I asked several times and they say gas x wont work. Is there anything else I can do besides walking . do you have any suggestions?
Posted 4/8/2010 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
gas-x helped me.

Joy
Posted 4/9/2010 12:47 AM (GMT 0)
They say the gas is not in my stomach but in my surrounding tissues trying to works it way out. I am trying to be good but I am so attempted to try gas x anyway. I bought some peppermint tea may try some of that.
Posted 4/9/2010 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
You could try going up and down flights of stairs. I find that just going from one flight to another in our house, several times, helps dislodge pent up gas. Something about the gravity changes help me.

Sipping hot tea definitely helps me.

And finally a nurse taught this trick in the hospital, massage your abdomen starting low on your right hand side where your appendix is located, then gently push down and work your way up to the navel. Then horizontally press down over to your left hand side, and then down. Basically following the track your large intestine takes. I may not be describing this exercise very well but hopefully you get the idea.

I also find that sleeping with a heating pad on my stomach helps too.

In time you will find relief. Gas is tricky, it can take a while to work itself out. I had my GB removed and still struggle with gas. Usually from not eating the right foods or when I'm under stress.

Mary/Marsky
Posted 4/9/2010 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
Kimber, your doctors are correct. In laparoscopic surgery, they have to pump some air into the abdominal cavity so they can see what they're doing. With everything squished together, it's too easy to cut the wrong thing. They can't really suction it back out very well because of all the delicate tissues in the area, although they do the best they can.

Over time the air is absorbed into your system and the body gets rid of it. Anything that increases the blood supply to the muscles and organs in the area will help. Thus, walking or massage.

Hope you're feeling better now.
Posted 4/9/2010 8:38 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Judy,I am still dealing with the gas pains.
Posted 4/10/2010 1:57 AM (GMT 0)
Unless you have a medical reason, the Gas-X certainly won't hurt but it probably won't help either.

There are some great yoga moves that help increase circulation in the abdomen. You might want to google "yoga for gastrointestinal health" and check out some of the sites. Be careful and don't attempt any move that hurts. Move slowly.

Good luck, the gas pains will stop but it may seem like forever.
Posted 4/10/2010 2:30 PM (GMT 0)
I had severe gas pains after my first surgery, day 3 or 4 I was up all night with pain and dry heaves. I had a kind nurse sit up with me, gave her a glowing review after my discharge too. She was so patient with me. The pains felt like tennis balls bouncing off the insides of my abdomen.

At the time I wanted pain meds but they didn't relieve the gas pains.

She kept suggesting that I walk. At the time all I wanted to do was sit upright in a recliner in my hospital room.

I learned the hard way later on, she was right.

Walking is the only thing that works these gas pains or gas pockets out. She told me the pinging pains I was experiencing were the trapped air or gas, trying to release itself. Sitting still didn't do anything.

And yet she was still so kind with me!

If I were you I'd walk a lot today, do it in batches. I still had mild gas pains when I was home. I would at first walk around our house, inside, then outside (the perimeter of the house). Eventually we bought a treadmill.
Posted 4/10/2010 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
kimber9807
     HI, HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD THE TRAPPED GAS?  IF IT HAS BEEN LONGER THAN YOU CAN HANDLE GO TO THE ER AND GET X-RAYED, YOU COULD HAVE ILLIUS WHICH IS TRAPPED GAS, AND IF THAT IS TRULY THE CASE THEY CAN PUT YOU IN THE HOSPITAL WITH A NG. TUBE TO GET RID OF THE AIR THAT IS TRAPPED...JUST FOR A DAY OR SO...BUT GOOD LUCK.

NONE OF THE OVER THE COUNTER MEDS WORKED FOR ME, THEY ALWAYS HAD TO PUT A NG IN ME...

LESLIE

Posted 4/10/2010 9:49 PM (GMT 0)
I had trapped gas for over 2 weeks now but I am post op from lap gallbladder removal . I just seen my surgeon on tuesday for my post op appt he says this is normal after surgery. Just walk as much as I can.
Posted 4/10/2010 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
 I HAD MINE REMOVED AND NEVER HAD THAT TROUBLE...CAN YOU POOP?  IF YOU HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO POOP THEN YOU NEED X-RAYS 

lESLIE

Posted 4/10/2010 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
I had constipation for a week after surgery now I take reglan,ducolax and prunes. Now I have regular bm.
Posted 4/10/2010 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
So its just the gas your dealing with...ya, the more you move the better the chance of getting it out...good luck.

Leslie

Posted 4/10/2010 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
thanks.
Posted 1/4/2011 4:18 AM (GMT 0)
Hi! Im new here, I was reading this post and I would like to add that my mom back in 1971 had her gallbladder removed but she has a big scar in her stomach and she is telling me she never had this kind of problem "bloating or gasses" Do you guys think this new Laparascopic "laser" procedure is what is causing the "bloating" ? I will have mine removed next week, Im really scared but I have gallstones and Murphy's sign.. oh wel, I guess Ill be alright, but Im really scared.. =(
Posted 1/4/2011 4:28 AM (GMT 0)
rotarygrl04
  Hello and welcome.  Everyone is so helpful here.  My first experience with everything I ate went right through me, and gas too.  So I guess everything starts anywhere so who really know.  I pray for you to have a safe surgery and a speedy recovery.  I had mine done one week and started College the next week, I did not feel like it but it was ok.

For me I have had so dang many surgeries that I call that a easy one...not much recovery time and the pain was tollerable.  So I hope the best for you.

Your new friend Leslie...if ya need help your in the right place.... turn

Posted 1/4/2011 4:30 AM (GMT 0)
kimber9807
You know what you can try is pepperment tea, it not only clams your intestines it helps with the gas.

Leslie
Posted 1/4/2011 1:44 PM (GMT 0)
Aww thanks so much Leslie, Im really happy I came accross this web site because while reading some posts I have found some answers to my questions. Thanks for the reply :)
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Posted 2/17/2011 1:09 AM (GMT 0)
I'm new to this forum, I'm always in the ulcerative colitis forum which I have the misfortune of living with. Anyway, I've been diagnosed with multiple stones and the surgeon asked what I wanted to do. Found that strange. I said to remove it, isn't that what they do or can only the stones be removed? He said no, the stones get removed themselves only the gallbladder. So I am at a loss what should happen exactly? but they do have me on their list for lap gallbladder removal and I am a bit scared. I'm not sure how all this will affect everything, especially the UC!

So I am reading more on this from this forum....
your input would be great and I will keep reading.
thanks,
Posted 2/21/2011 11:41 PM (GMT 0)

Hi All. I am very relieved to have found this site!!  I am 25, I had my GB removed 3 months ago, by lab. Everything went fine with the surgery, however for the past 3 months I have been waking up at night, after 5-hrs, with horrible pain in my upper abdomen . I get up walk around, sometimes will pass gas, and usually within 10-20mins the pain gets better, is this just trapped gas, why does it only happen at night??  I stop it from happening every night. Tried tons of teas, gasx, ibs supplements, I even tried yoga lol! Any advise would be really appreciated!!

Posted 4/2/2011 10:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hi lill,

Have you thought that your problem could be associated with acid refux or heartburn. This is what i was mis diagnosed with for 3 years before they finally did a scan and found out it was gall stones. It usually comes on at night because you are lying down and the acid can rise up your oesophagus. Standing up and walking around will help the acid back into your stomach because of gravity. From reading around this is also quite common to get after cholecystectomy.

Just an idea! If you go to your doctor they might provide you with some PPI's (omeprazole/lansoprazole) to calm it down.
Posted 1/18/2012 12:34 AM (GMT 0)
I had my gallbladder removed laparoscopically 5 days ago and have had severe gas pain. I was advised against any medications to help alleviate the gas. The only thing that helps is walking and also putting a pillow against my belly and slowing rocking. I also find that a pillow under my belly comforts for me to lie on my side.

I still have discomfort and pulling around my incision areas when I sigh, sneeze or cough. Some family members have bragged how they had the surgery on Friday and went back to work on Monday. Sorry...I think the majority of us are not that miracuously healed. I anticipate at least 2 weeks.

I also coughed up some fresh blood this morning...has that happened to anybody else?
Posted 1/24/2012 3:56 AM (GMT 0)
I had my gallbladder removed at 10 this morning.  But with this being my third lap surgery in the past 18 months I know the rountine all too well.  As soon as I left the hospital my first stop was the drug store for the pain meds and Gas-x chewables (starts working quicker).  I have noticed that I have been able to belch out a little of the air pretty quickly after taking them.  I'm now feeling some air getting trapped in my neck and shoulder (which to me is the worse places) but also in my abdomen a little.  The air being trapped is definately the worse part of any lap procedure and surpasses any soreness or surgery pain by far.  An important thing to keep in mind is that the more you sit around and especially at night while your sleeping, are the most subseptible times for the air to get lodged in places because you are in one position, not moving around, and it finds its way to settle somewhere.  Pain medicine does not help that much with this type of pain.  And I also think that carbonated beverages (in which I have been hypocritically chugging since I woke up from the surgery)  provides even more air to get trapped and makes it worse...so drink plenty of water and MOVE!!  Moving also helps with the soreness of the surgery tremendously!
Posted 7/16/2014 10:17 PM (GMT 0)
Had my gall bladder removed 6/21/14. No gall stones, no pain. Just sudden onset of gas. Went to ER. ONE HOUR later I was being prepped for surgery. Had lap surgery. Perfect, only the pain in ER was at #10. Could not be stopped. Taken to my room. 2nd day after Jello the pain from gas was HORRIBLE! They located Maloxx. It is now taken off of the market but u can order it from Amazon.com for up to 300 dollars for one bottle - regular sized. Got home and one week later the gas came on and I was literally passing out. Went to ER thinking that something had gone wrong with my surgery. They debated about admitting me. My surgeon finally said give me the REAL form of this medicine: ZOFRAN. IT WAS 37 dollars for 6 pills. Works in seconds!!! It also stops that "I feel like I am dying pain." I went back to be released from his care And fussed at him about the cost. He said he had no idea that it was that high. He then gave me this generic one: ONDANSETRON ODT 4MG. IT IS 2.99 a pill. It is MUCH BETTER THAN THE prescription! Plus, it seems cumulative. You seem to pass so much gas that u see yourself getting better with days passing. What is the downfall? U can only get it by getting your doctor to prescribe it. There are no refills. It is manufactured by Glenmark. I also get in the pool and do water aerobics and just walk and dog paddle and I use water weights to help move the chest cavity. Be careful with some friends. Do do soft drinks. I am not a soft drink drinker but I tried a few sips. Did not help. The meds I just prescribed also get rid of the nausea. God bless you. If you need to know where it is sold, try Walgreens. They will also you get in touch with your doctor. You can contact me at smittie22@icloud if u need more information.
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