Question about Gas X strips and heating pads...

[kimilee]

Ok so I admit that I may not be the brightest bulb on the block sometimes so please be patient with me... people talk about taking Gas X strips with them but how many packs? Is the heating pad for on your tummy or ???? I wouldn't have thought that it would not be good for your incisions... i.e open woulnds & bleeding, drains etc? Thanks for the advice on this matter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jamie_lanell]

I'm eagerly waiting for the replies because I have been wondering the same thing!

[ExGorda]

I'm curious also

[hugmedragonfly]

I didn't take any gas x with me as you can't eat or drink the first 12-24 hrs after surgery. In the hospital the gas pain was there but controlled with the pain pump, I loved that machine. As soon as I got home I did have to put some very mild heat on it and make sure you move a lot, even if it hurts, don't give in the gas bubble will go faster if you be the boss lol. You'll learn fast if its gas or surgery pain. I didn't have any surgery pain only the annoying gas, it took about 3 days for it to go away. Oh and the heating pad is for the areas where the gas bubbles sit, they moved from pelvic area all the way to my shoulder.

[ExGorda]

Does anyone know if you can get the strips in Canada?

[big-daddy of 10]

this is why i love this sit someone always ask a question befor i can....but i was told that alot of walking helps get ride of the gas with help of gas-x strips?this is the first i heared of heating pad

[tempred]

I used the gas x strips, not sure how much they helped. I used the heating pad on my tummy (low heat because I had the glue on my incisions) made my tummy feel soooo much better.

[Fluffy]

I'm having surgery on Wed and have my heating pad and 2 flavors of Gas X strips ready and my husband to burp me if needed LOL

[kildaere]

ExGorda - I found some yesterday at WalMart in Montreal. : )

[Rosey_W]

Yes, everything you've heard is true. Sometimes the shoulder pain following a laparoscopy is more painful than your incisions or your abdomen.
During laparoscopic surgery, C02 (Carbon Dioxide) gas is injected through a special needle inserted just below the navel. This is done in order to insufflate the abdominal cavity and allow the surgeon a better view of your organs. After surgery, most people experience shoulder pain, ranging from mild to severe.
The diaphragm and the shoulder share some of the same nerves - predominantly the Phrenic Nerve. The Phrenic Nerve arises on each side of the neck, and passes downwards between the lungs and the heart to reach the diaphragm. Impulses through the nerves from the brain bring about the regular contractions of the diaphragm during breathing. When the C02 gas irritates the diaphragmatic nerves, that pain is then referred upwards through the nerve connections, eventually landing in - and aggravating - the shoulder.
I experienced severe shoulder tip pain but walking helped a lot and I used heat pads during the night. Pain meds also assisted. From what I have heard, so get it some don't so Good luck.

[BBARB]

I think I read somewhere here in the website that the heating pads were useful for pain and gas but they recommended to not put on top of the incision.

[N2DVN]

I only took 1 box of gas-x strips and still have some left. The dissolve in your mouth, so, it's okay to have them when you are NPO.

As for the heating pad, I used it on my back and shoulders where the gas pains were. (I didn't have a pump or even narcotics.) As unbelievable as it is, my stomach has not hurt once.

[Tracy's Place]

I took the strips because of different things I had read on here... Never used them. They insert CO2 in your tummy to give room to perform the surgery. Gas X is for gas in the bowels. Not sure how they would relieve the pain in your chest or shoulders. I didn't have any gas pain. The nurses kept me elevated and would not let me sleep laying flat. They said it was because of the gas.

I had my gall bladder out in August of 2008, I figured that the sleeve surgery would be similar in pain, and I didn't have any then, so I didn't expect too much with this either. So I didn't pack the heating pad. I didn't need it. I ended up over packing. lol

With all of that said....everyone is different and each surgery will be different and the way each person reacts will be different. Go with what feels best for you and you will do great. Blessings on your journey.

[Stacey1216]

My doctor wouldn't allow a heating pad on my incisions, I didn't have stitches on the outside, only glue so he didn't want them heated up. I never had gas pain and I brought Gas X strips but didn't take them. They are good to have around the house and at the hospital just in case. Bring Chapstick or something similar because you cannot drink usually on the day of the surgery. Your lips will be dry from the anesthesia tubes.

I did use the heating pad on my back at home though, all my other muscles got sore from walking a little hunched over guarding my tummy the first few days and from overcompensating from getting up and down differently.

[Bonboun]

I took a heating pad... had it on medium on my back got a pain shot feel asleep lying on it..... burned the hell on my back..... still have scabs 3 wks
out. Be careful