gas pains

I've read a lot about the gas pains in the hystersister guide book and I'm embarrassed to admit I'm not sure if they are the gas pains I remember after having my tubes tied where the gas inside my body had no where to go but up and the pain in my shoulders was incredible...................or is it gas pains from your bowels?? and why is it that some doctors require strict liquid diets the day before and a cleansing of the bowels and some dont require any changes?

megnanne,
I was told it would be the gas pain in your shoulders (FYI ask for a heating pad and try a low setting to relieve the pressure). I do remember from a previouse surgery that the gas maybe other places too. try to get rid of it regardless of the embrarrasment, I know it will make you feel better. I have a doctor that requires the clensing and liquid deit the day before (which will be tommorrow) I am not looking forward but I was told that it help afterwards. I am afraid that I will be unable to post before your surgery since that is the day I will be getting home. Good luck and remember the heating pad it really does help--on low!!
Good Luck!!

There are two kinds of gas pain following surgery.

One is the kind you describe in the shoulders. They pump the abdomen full of gas to get a good look at things and the body reabsorbs the gas and it can cause pain in the shoulders.

The other gas is the intestinal kind. It is caused partly by swallowed air from being intubated and possibly from the bowels being empty and the gastric juices and probiotics making gas and could be the fact that the bowels stop moving when you're anesthetized. For some reason the gas is really painful ... and sometimes there's lots of it and it can go on for weeks after surgery.

Be sure to ask for GasX as soon as you're allowed to have meds by mouth. It really helps to get rid of it. There are also great tips for avoiding gas as well including avoiding sodas, don't drink from straws and avoid gassy foods. I thought that all this talk on the forums about gas pains was silly, and then I had surgery ... whoo! It was definitely more painful than my incision!

Take care.

The cleansing of the bowels the day before is in case it is nicked during the surgery.Fecal matter can get inside your body and cause an infection.I don't know why some DR.s don't require it. I was on liquids for 24 hrs. followed by an enema.
Sandy

As I live in Australia and we don't (as far as I know) have a product called "Gas-X" here I was wondering if someone could tell me what kind of medication it is (ie. what is in it ) so I can ask for the Aussie equivalent. I have enough problems with gas normally so I dread to think what I will be like after my op! I want to be prepared, even if it means buying my own and taking it with me to the hospital. Is it an over-the-counter-medication (ie. not needing a prescription)?

Has anyone else had a problem with Codeine before their op and then found they reacted badly to Morphine while in hospital? I took Codeine for muscle spasms in my back and it made me nauseous after a while. As it is related to morphine will it have the same effect on me and should I ask for anti-nausea medication as well from the word go? I want to give it a go as I like the thought of being in control of my doses. Any experiences in this area?

crazy artist,

Gas X is Simethicone. I asked my doctor at pre-op if he planned on leaving orders for me to have gas meds in the hospital and he said we'd play it by ear so I packed it myself. My nurses took poor care of me so I might never have gotten any if I didn't bring it myself. I found for me though, that the few bouts that I have had with it happend in the weeks after leaving the hospital and I too have a history of it because I have IBS. Hope this helps.

From previous surgeries I have had I experienced the gas pains in the shoulder area and it was a real booger. But like someone suggested..........the heating pad helps alot. And another thing that helped......or at least I thought it did........was having that area rubbed.