HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Gas bloat

Support Forums
>
GERD & Acid Reflux
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 10/27/2013 1:56 PM (GMT 0)
This December will mark the 2 year anniversary of my Nissen Fundo.  I have noticed over this past year, and especially as of late, that I get terrible gas bloat.  Clothes do not fit correctly, and by the end of the day I look like I am 6 months pregnant.  It is so miserable.  I do eventually get a bit of relief with incredible amounts of gas finally exiting the body in the most embarrassing way.

Does anyone else experience this, and if so, is there a specific diet you follow, or a med you can take?  My GI said all of the over the counter meds are simply placebos.  I have not seen him in a year, but I think I should go back and let him know the bloat has gotten worse.  He pointed it out during an upper GI last year and said he may stretch my esophagus while in there.  I begged him not to, because I never what reflux to the level I had it ever again!!!

I would appreciate any advice thanks!

 

Posted 10/27/2013 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
I am 6 months post op and this has been my biggest problem since the surgery. I can completely sympathize with you about the discomfort. I hope someone has some advice on this because I too have tried all of the over the counter remedies without any success. I feel like I traded reflux pain for severe gas and bloating pain. Also, I feel even worse every time I eat and it doesn't seem to matter what it is....do you find this as well?
Thanks,
Stacey
Posted 10/27/2013 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
Yep, me too, seems like no matter what I eat, I get terrible gas bloat.  The pressure even causes breathing issues - so miserable.

I used to love salads for lunch.  I'm one of those weirdo's that actually likes veggies, but OMG, talk about a huge issue 2 hours later.  I work with the public, so I have learned no salads for lunch.  Still have issues with other foods, but not near as bad as the salad lunches I miss.

I do not use a straw, I do not drink carbonated beverages, chew gum, or eat anything with sorbitol, or sugar alcohols (found in low carb, low sugar energy bars or diet products).  These all the think they told me to avoid.  Still have major issues.

I take probiotics and enzymes (lactaid & beano).  Just cursed.  I've struggle with my weight since the surgery also.  I lost about 20 pounds right after, and put that plus another 20+ on since the surgery.  I'm just so frustrated trying to figure out how to eat. 

Hope someone reaches out with some answers for us!

 

Posted 10/27/2013 9:55 PM (GMT 0)
I am only about 3 months out from surgery and gas is one of my major complaints.
I have had to give up dairy and any uncooked vegetables and beans to manage it.
Diet has done wonders for me, but still occasionally I will get the gas bloat for no reason at all and even gas x doesnt work well for me. The only thing that does is a lot of walking.

Two changes I made that were not really obvious to me at first was giving up my morning starbucks. They foam up the soymilk in my drinks and I was drinking too much air, and also sipping on water during the day. Before surgery I would fill up my water bottle all day long and just drink and drink. I stopped doing that and notice the bloat decreased. Also chewing gum or sucking on hard candies will cause you to swallow more air.
Posted 10/28/2013 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi StephanieJean,

Wow, just 3 months out, I remember those days. Sounds like you are doing well.

I do have a morning cup of coffee or two, if I don't, I usually cannot have a BM, which my GI said is an important part of reducing some of the gas bloat.

I did stop breath mints and turned to breath spray. I am a bank manager and work with customers all day, so I need fresh breath :-)

Wow, not sipping on water would be hard, how do you get your water intake, which is very important for regularity as well?
Posted 10/28/2013 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
Coffee really helps me too with that.
I try to drink more water at once than sip all day long.
I am feeling pretty crappy today because I had to take zofran and it constipates me terribly.
Posted 10/28/2013 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
Regardless of the gas bloat, I'd much rather live with that than the pain and suffering from GERD and reflux. What I find works best for me (I'm 6 months out from my Nissen) is a good long walk after a meal. I haven't really changed my diet much and haven't had any problems other than being gassy because I can't burp. It's harder to do after lunch during the week if I've got meetings back-to-back, but I still make it a point to at least walk around the building...away from people ;)
Posted 10/29/2013 5:10 PM (GMT 0)
Chamomille Tea an hour or so after eating helps me along with a walk. It can be really painful.
Posted 10/29/2013 6:25 PM (GMT 0)
Weight loss, once healed from surgery, is really tough, I agree. My lung doc suggested I lose another 10 pounds, in addition to the 10 I lost post-op. Well, eating a big salad as a meal - like you enjoy, also - would be really helpful. Eating more veggies at dinner would be helpful. But, it's just not really possible right now.

Ugh - I sympathize with you. The gas problems concern me, but most of us knew going into the NF that could be a problem we have to deal with. It's better than the acid attacking us, though.
Posted 10/31/2013 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
lajenner, I hear you about weight loss, it's insanely hard.  For some reason seems more difficult as time has past from my surgery.  I think I am just playing around with certain foods to see what will help me feel better.  But also, in all fairness, I had to foot injuries at one time, and they operated on one foot this past year, so that slowed me down for sure.  Putting on more weight.

I agree with Tony G. it's better than having reflux; however, I have acquired gastritis along with this gas bloat, all within this 2nd year?  It is pretty painful as well.  I probably need to go back to the GI and get his advice. 

I have not eaten lunch today because my breakfast has left me bloated out.  I love egg whites with a bit of salsa and avocado.  Seems rather benign, except the salsa which is probably not good for my gastritis.  Ugggg!  I hope we all figure out the best way to live "wrapped"  First year seemed a bit better, with exception of the first few months.

Still glad I had the surgery!!!  Just have to figure out this newer symptom.  Maybe it is unrelated??  Not sure.

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply