Gas after surgery

[Nor_]

Hi all, I had my surgery yesterday and still have had trapped in my shoulders. What’s the best way to get rid of this?! It’s so uncomfortable

[JadeH92]

I found the Peppermint oil 200mg capsules from Holland and Barrett were a life saver two of them a day for the first few days really helped xx

[Char411]

Peppermint and a gentle walk. I was in agony after surgery with it trapped in my chest and I found walking around my bedroom at 1am helped move the gas

[Username12345678]

Lots of gentle walking. Peppermint tea really helps. If you dont like the taste, lemon and ginger tea with a slice of lemon in or teapots do a peppermint and liquorice which is really nice.

[SenoritaF]

Peppermint tea and oil rub! Defo try and do some gentle walking. I was gently lifting up my arms and that also seemed to help me. Hope you recover soon! All the best

[JulesUK]

Moving around unfortunately is the best way to fix this. It’s surprising just how painful it is.

[Avourneen]

It is really painful isn't it? But it will just disappera by itself in a couple of days. Take painkillers and remeber it won't last more than two or three days.

[Jenn2022]

I asked my surgeon about this. The shoulder pain isnt trapped gas though many people believe it is.

What happens is they fill your intestines with gas during surgery, it takes time to pass - *this* is trapped gas and peppermint tea will help your body push it out.

They also fill your abdomen with gas so they can see better during surgery. This gas stretches your diaphragm, and often damages it. The pain you feel in your shoulders is actually not in your shoulders, it's in your diaphragm. But because of the way your nerves run, your brain "feels" it in your shoulders. If you try to take a deep breath you'll find your diaphragm really hurts. This pain can last for several days. I had it really badly and they sent me home with liquid morphine for the pain - it was worse than the surgery pain!

There's not much you can do for the shoulder pain except keep on top of your pain medication. You've basically pulled a muscle and it needs time to heal.

[Dorea]

Peppermint tea is good for this. I'm sorry you suffer with it, it took me almost 3 days to get rid of it, and that terrible back-shoulder pain.

[bee109]

I had mine last week and found, peppermint tea and rennie (deflatine) I took two each time my pain killers were due x

[RubyHummingbird]

I second the suggestion of Deflatine. It made a big difference after my second laparoscopy. I didn't take it the first time and wish I'd known! Hope you recover well very soon x