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Post-op gas/bloating

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Posted 3/24/2017 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
I'm 4 days after surgery now and the abdominal pain is becoming more manageable. However, the gas pains moving around my torso are becoming extreme. I've only pooped a tiny bit, doesn't count for much. I've taken two simethicone gas reducers. Not much happening. I'm only ingesting Jello, ensure clear and broth. Any suggestions?
Posted 3/24/2017 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Coldrice,

Walk! A night nurse at the hospital told me to walk whenever I got up to go to the bathroom, and it was the best advice ever! I walked those halls, pulling my IV pole along with me.

At home I got up and walked around the house as much as I possibly could. I was lucky enough to have a treadmill, so I started on that after a few days...very slowly at first, gradually increasing speed as I felt able.

The more you walk, the less gas will bother you.
I don't know if you've seen my early recovery journal, but it might be helpful to read it. I remember Day 4 to be a challenging one. The first two weeks are the roughest, but hang in there. It gets better!!!
Here's a link to the journal, just in case:

www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=2183443

Happy healing!
Denise
Posted 3/24/2017 3:04 AM (GMT 0)
Ha. I actually stumbled upon it and read it right after writing this post. I'm going to have the wife drive me to the park tomorrow, put a leash on me and take me for a walk. I've been walking around the yard a little bit I've been pretty low-energy and sluggish, I think because my diet is so lackluster. I'll force myself tomorrow and plan to nap afterwards. I'll let you know how it goes. Thanks!
Posted 3/24/2017 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
Great plan, coldrice! Give it a few days. I found the more I walked, the less gas bothered me. Out of curiosity, do you have the shoulder pain that is so common with the surgery? Walking helped that as well.

I'm assuming you are being careful with what you're ingesting...no carbonation, no gassy foods, (Taking Beano works great for when you're ready to become more adventurous.) Try not to swallow a lot of air (no straws, don't talk while eating, etc.)
Good luck!
Denise
Posted 3/24/2017 8:32 PM (GMT 0)
Part of using Dr Park for this procedure means that you are committing to his 8 week post-op diet plan. Right now I'm only having broth, Jello and ensure clear. I've lost 11 pounds between the start of the pre-op liver shrinking diet and now. I do have the shoulder pain, yes, though it's not bad. I'll keep walking and hope for the best.
Posted 3/25/2017 1:04 AM (GMT 0)
Hi coldrice,

Does Dr Park require liquids for the whole 8 weeks? Wow! That is strict. Is it intended as a weight loss plan? I lost 20 pounds just from eating less. For the first few weeks the stomach swelling makes you feel full after a very small amount. This swelling reduces over time and you can eat more. Does he just want to avoid the risk of someone eating the wrong thing and getting it stuck. If you read my journal you know that my surgeon was much more liberal about eating.

Hope your walking works for you! It's a win-win--helps with gas and also helps you regain strength.

Best wishes,
Denise
Posted 3/25/2017 1:54 AM (GMT 0)
No. The diet transitions to mushy. Next week I can have yogurt and ice cream, runny pureed oatmeal, mashed potatoes and overcooked pureed vegetables. Basically baby food. It scales up from there for 6 more weeks and finishes with bread and normal stuff. I think his concern is causing undue stress on the surgical site and possibly lessening its longterm efficacy. If you are interested to see the diet plan, leave your email address and I'll send it to you.
Posted 3/25/2017 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
If you click the envelope link to the left under my name, you can email me. I would find the diet interesting.

I did not eat anything that couldn't be chewed to a liquid, so my teeth acted as my blender. It puts much more responsibility on the patient to select foods that chew to a liquid consistency. It worked well for me.

Thanks for sharing the diet!
Denise
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