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Gas and bloating

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 9/13/2015 4:35 PM (GMT 0)
I am 4 weeks post op now and feel like I am doing fine. No problems swallowing, I eat small amounts as I get full very quickly.

My biggest concern is the amount of gas and bloating I still am having. Each time I eat, it is followed by the bloating and then gas. Not sure what causes this at this stage, at first I thought it was just from the surgery but now definitely tied to eating. Do we not digest our food as well? If so, why?

Went to dinner with some friends last night, ate small amount but then just became miserable with gas and bloating, my waistband so tight it was very uncomfortable.

Thanks for any ideas and or is this normal still at this stage?
Posted 9/13/2015 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
Anyone else have or had this concern or should I contact my surgeon? Thanks
Posted 9/13/2015 10:45 PM (GMT 0)
Unfortunately it is one of the side effects. The fundus of the stomach use to hold all the gas but now it is tied around your esophagus. Any gas you do not burp has to go through the other way... and it is long and sometimes painful journey. I have taken GasX with meals that I think will be gassy. That has helped. But not always, sometimes it is just going to come out the other way. I do like that I can eat more spicy foods post surgery and not have bile come up. I guess it is a trade off. Good luck.
Posted 9/13/2015 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
It can take quite a while, months or a year or more, to start burping again, and even then a burp might not be as thorough in relieving the gas as it used to be. At least the acid stops coming up for most people. I'll take that over a bit of gas for a little while.

The best thing to do is look up "gassy foods" and avoid them. Also, don't use a straw because you swallow more air that way.

I tried all the gas meds and wasn't highly impressed. Some people do seem to get relief, so it's probably worth trying.

We don't have as much stomach as before, so yes, digestion may not proceed perfectly, but chewing food more thoroughly can help with that.

Anything like that that you had pre-op probably won't change.

Look through the archives - type some words into the search box at the top of the page. There are loads of good suggestions there.
Posted 9/13/2015 11:54 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for your answers, at least I know that it is normal for this to happen and why. Will search some more.
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