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Post-Nissen/LINX bloat caused by Laparoscopic Techniques

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Posted 1/25/2013 8:56 PM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

I have been reading quite a bit in this forum about Post-Nissen/LINX "bloat" from the CO2 gas which is used to inflate the abdomen when the Laparoscopic Technique is used. It almost sound a this is worse than the actual surgery. Do the surgeons have any way of purging that leftover gas before the ports are removed?

It appears to be very painful and I wonder how the body is able to rid itself of this on it's own.

Found this on a website - is it all true?

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 The “gas pain” you may experience within the first 1-2 days after laparoscopic surgery is not typically caused by gas within the bowel itself, but instead by irritation caused by the pressurized gas around the abdominal organs. Therefore, traditional therapies such as Gas X, Mylicon, or other over-the-counter remedies may not be helpful. Walking, movement, and time will allow the gas to dissipate and the muscles to become less sore. As the bowels begin to “wake up,” you may experience gas bloating or cramping that comes and goes – this type of pain may respond to anti-gas medications.

You may also experience pain in one or both shoulders for several days after laparoscopic surgery. This is most likely referred pain from an irritated diaphragm (the muscle that separates the chest from the belly), which is again caused by the pressurized gas used during surgery. This should slowly improve over several days.

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I'm going to have to handle this, so I want to be prepared. I mean, how do you get home and live?

Gastricman idea

 

Post Edited (Gastricman) : 1/25/2013 2:00:08 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/25/2013 10:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Gastricman,

We meet again. tongue Yes, there is gas pumped into the abdomen to open the field of view for the surgical procedure.  Yes, there is very annoying referred shoulder pain, which is usually the most difficult pain of all.  And it definitely can last more than a "few days".

I have heard of surgeons who do a great job of removing the gas before closing their patinet.  One member here--can't remember the name--said they had no problem because of that.  Bill, one of our moderators, found that his open procedure was the most comfortable of all because it didn't involve that pumped in gas.

Still, I found that walking worked great to relieve it.  The more I walked, the less it hurt.  I got rid of the pain permanently, sooner, because of my walking.  It works.

Really, though, it's not all that bad or painful.  Sure, the first couple of weeks are tough, but things improve greatly after that.

Not to worry...

Denise

Posted 1/26/2013 3:36 AM (GMT 0)
The first day the shoulder pain was bad, but relieved with the I've pain meds. After that, thanks to Denise's advice, I walked and walked. Still had a little shoulder pain, but it was bearable.
Posted 9/12/2013 11:07 PM (GMT 0)
How much walking do you do to help rid the gas? My doctor said walk but don't break a sweat or elevate heart rate. What kind of time do you suggest, basic increments and number of times a day. I just had wrap done 2 days ago and I'm feeling it around the middle of my back and abdomen.
Posted 9/13/2013 12:17 AM (GMT 0)
I had laproscopy for an inguinal hernia with co2 I believe now I had a hiatal hernia back then terrible shoulder pain and very difficult to breath constant burping like I'm feeling now but worse don't ever want that again !
Posted 9/13/2013 2:59 AM (GMT 0)
lajenner,

A very wise night nurse in the hospital told me to get up and walk whenever I had to go to the bathroom. In the hospital I walked the halls because of that advice.

I continued walking around the house whenever I got up to go to the bathroom. After a few days I started walking on my treadmill...no elevation and taking it slow at first, and very gradually increasing the length of time and speed.

I found that the pain in my shoulder improved in when I walked, and got worse again when I didn't. Walking is the key in my experience. That shoulder pain is is the worst, so walk, walk, walk!

Happy healing,
Denise
Posted 9/13/2013 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
I have had three Lap surgeries including my nissen, and two for PCOS, or Ovarian cysts.
I had terrible pain after the two cyst surgeries from the CO2, but my Nissen surgeon did an awesome job of removing the air after my surgery a month ago. Like Denise said, walking is the best thing you can do for yourself. It really makes the pain go pretty fast.
Posted 9/13/2013 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, the suggestion about using the bathroom to time it is good, makes sense. So far, I think the gas I have is just bloat. I'm hoping my surgeon did like Stephanie's doc. The gas pain in my shoulders following a lap assisted hysterectomy was bad. I had my gall bladder removed last year, it wasn't too bad either.

I 'passed' a lot of gas last night :o, making me believe it's bloat.
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