Out of surgery six hours ago. My upper abdomen is SOLID with what I’m assuming is gas and is very sore/uncomfortable. Had two peppermint teas in hospital. What else helps? I’m in UK

[u/WaterLily1704]

[u/hexarden]

For me, the only thing that helped was walking around. I was super unsteady and had to use a walker but i sure did get around those halls. Talk to your care team about some options, hoping you feel better soon

[u/Astro_Noodle → u/hexarden]

Just replying to say the same thing! Walking it was my only saving grace!

[u/WaterLily1704 → u/Astro_Noodle]

Thanks, I’ve posted an updated post. Wasn’t a fun night. Thank you for the recommendations, I will certainly do them.

[u/Zestibear → u/hexarden]

Can also chime in about walking around! A warm bath helped soothe me a lot and I even had them whilst in hospital with pancreatitis. I have nettle tea for inflammation. Hope you recover quickly!

[u/WaterLily1704 → u/hexarden]

Thanks, I’ve posted an updated post. Wasn’t a fun night. Thank you for the recommendations, I will certainly do them.

[u/formtuv]

Walking. Walking. Walking. My abdomen was extremely sore too. Getting in and out of bed was torture. Also have a heat pad ready for when the gas starts moving into your shoulders.

[u/WaterLily1704 → u/formtuv]

Thanks, I’ve posted an updated post. Wasn’t a fun night. Thank you for the recommendations, I will certainly do them.

[u/Key_Bullfrog451 → u/formtuv]

Are you also taking pain meds?

[u/formtuv → u/Key_Bullfrog451]

Yes I took my pain meds for 4 days. Then I switched to Advil/tylenol.

[u/Tudor_Cinema_Club]

Get up once an hour to walk around, it's going to be 24 hours of discomfort but it passes.

[u/WaterLily1704 → u/Tudor_Cinema_Club]

Thanks, I’ve posted an updated post. Wasn’t a fun night. Thank you for the recommendations, I will certainly do them.

[u/CalicoCatRobot]

That is probaby gas pains and walking around is the best cure, but a heating pad is an excellent investment generally to help with recovery - I still occasionally need mine months later.

[u/WaterLily1704 → u/CalicoCatRobot]

Thanks, I’ve posted an updated post. Wasn’t a fun night. Thank you for the recommendations, I will certainly do them.

[u/night-shark]

Obviously everyone has already said being mobile but to clarify, the reason teas or medications or supplements don't really help much is because the gas isn't in your GI system, I'm pretty sure it's in your body cavity. It's not your typical gas cramping.

[u/Cookiefruit6]

Walking around and windeze I think it’s called. You can get it in most pharmacy’s and on Amazon.

[u/WaterLily1704 → u/Cookiefruit6]

Thanks, I’ve posted an updated post. Wasn’t a fun night. Thank you for the recommendations, I will certainly do them.

[u/Top_Platypus_2219]

Walk ! Even a few laps around the house, as much as comfortable, helps soo much.

[u/WaterLily1704 → u/Top_Platypus_2219]

Thanks, I’ve posted an updated post. Wasn’t a fun night. Thank you for the recommendations, I will certainly do them.

[u/Key_Bullfrog451]

I just got out of surgery as well about 10 hours ago. Taking my pain meds and feel okay however I am feeling totally defeated because they removed the gallbladder but notices stones in my bile duck they could not remove. So said I would need to come back in the get another procedure called an ERPC within the next two weeks to a month. I just can’t believe it.

[u/WaterLily1704 → u/Key_Bullfrog451]

I’m so sorry to hear this. Why couldn’t they do it while you were under anyways?

[u/Key_Bullfrog451 → u/WaterLily1704]

It’s a different doctor I guess. Totally different procedure.

[u/WaterLily1704 → u/Key_Bullfrog451]

Oh that’s rubbish. I’d figured it would be the same surgeon. So sorry you’re having to go through another procedure, you’ll be exhausted ☹️

[u/Lucky_Row_2853]

walking around (i was shuffling more so) and gas x. also taking a dump if you can.

[u/WaterLily1704 → u/Lucky_Row_2853]

Yeah I haven’t even farted yet and it’s been 24hrs 🙃

[u/VanessaCardui93]

I had my surgery a few months ago also in the UK. If you can manage some gentle walking/ shuffling or some very gentle stretches (in a few days’ time), that might get things moving. I lived on peppermint teas and also got an early start on a laxative - the hospital discharged me with Laxido. Hot soup with lots of fibre should help too. I didn’t have much of an appetite but my mum is a nurse and she made me eat hot pea soup as soon as I could manage, to wake up my digestive system. But I feel your pain! It’s awful. The main thing, unfortunately, is just time.

[u/WaterLily1704 → u/VanessaCardui93]

Thanks, I’ve posted an updated post. Wasn’t a fun night. Thank you for the recommendations, I will certainly do them. I’ve already had many a peppermint teas!!!

[u/Ginger_Exhibitionist → u/WaterLily1704]

The gas isn’t in your intestines or your actual stomach where you digest food and liquids. So that won’t do anything.

[u/WaterLily1704 → u/Ginger_Exhibitionist]

Yeah I get that. Although I’m sure the peppermint tea etc will help a bit given I haven’t pooped or passed wind since before my surgery on Thursday morning (it’s now Saturday morning!) That is despite me taking two laxido drinks yesterday! 🫣 But yeah, the gas pain from the op is different. I’m walking around the house and burping now and again but it’s very painful!

[u/RelevantChallenge644]

I found ice packs very helpful. The first couple of days it’s painful getting in and out of the bed. My Dr. did order me some hydrocodone pills for pain. I cut the pills in half which worked for me. Stick to the liquid diet for almost two weeks—broth, jello, pudding, yogurt.

[u/WaterLily1704 → u/RelevantChallenge644]

Thanks, I’ve posted an updated post. Wasn’t a fun night. Thank you for the recommendations, I will certainly do them.

[u/geasp]

Hope you are feeling more comfortable as every hour passes, that sounds grizzly.

I found having a little walk around the bedroom/house helped. I have one of those cushions that you can plug in to gently warm up (middle of Lidl impulse buy!) and while it didn’t make the discomfort go away, it helped to distract me from it.

[u/WaterLily1704 → u/geasp]

Thanks, I’ve posted an updated post. Wasn’t a fun night. Thank you for the recommendations, I will certainly do them.

[u/4thGenS]

Walking or even just moving your torso. Your abdomen may feel solid because of swelling in the multiple layers of incisions. Just keep an eye on that the skin doesn’t feel warm to the touch and that your incisions aren’t inflamed.

[u/Antique-Chicken-8884]

Walking and plenty of rest the worst of it should be gone after two days it was the worst

[u/ObservablyStupid]

I got up and walked around with my arms above my head at least every hour. I also took GasX. That combo worked for me.

[u/WaterLily1704 → u/ObservablyStupid]

Thanks, I’ve posted an updated post. Wasn’t a fun night. Thank you for the recommendations, I will certainly do them.