Ball of trapped wind in my chest, stretch or will this get better? 8 months post IL

[Cavalier3]

I spoke to my consultant at my last check up and he discussed having an endoscopy and a stretch. I’ve recently stopped having milk and the horrid feeling of pressure in my chest has got better but not gone. I still feel like I swallow air all the time. So my question is if you’ve had this does it get better over time or is a stretch my best option. I said I would think about it and see how I go and talk about it at my December check up. Thank you all xxxxx

[Hidden]

Hi I'm 7 years post op and yes I often get that problem, normally if I've overeaten, it feels like a tennis ball sized air bubble and although it eases when I burp a few seconds later it's there again. I think it could be stomach contents with some saliva causing a colic like syndrome I guess and to be honest as long as I don't overeat I don't get it. May be the same thing, hope this is of some help.Martin

[Cavalier3 in reply to Hidden]

Yes that’s exactly what it is like Martin.. thank you. I read that milk turns to solid in your stomach and since I’ve cut out my cereal it’s much better but I still get it. I will be more careful with the amount I’m eating. There is no feeling of being full so I guess we have to keep learning what works. Thanks again xx Sue

[Hidden in reply to Cavalier3]

Wow finally I've met someone else has no appetite gauge, most other people have little or no appetite and have to force themselves to eat but it sounds like you're the same as me (hungry when I sit down to eat and just as hungry when I leave the table). Yes I also get the same issue with milk, it seems to sour very quickly in my stomach and then come back at me in the most disgusting way. As regards overeating it is so easy to do especially as because we have no appetite satisfaction I find myself some days getting so hungry by the end of the day if I'm not careful I can end up binging. Nice to meet you Sue

[Cavalier3 in reply to Hidden]

Hello! Sorry I’ve only just read your reply! Wow yes I’m the same. So this isn’t a usual thing to want to keep eating but you know you have to stop!! Haha. I haven’t felt full since my surgery. I keep myself very disciplined with small frequent portions but it’s hard when the food is so tasty! Nice to meet you too! Sue x

[Hidden in reply to Cavalier3]

You do get used to it, I often wonder what it was like to feel overfull and bloated like when I'd go to a all you can eat Chinese buffet for example, I'm so used to leaving the table hungry and the only solace being looking forward to having space so I can eat again. I guess now it's all about taste and texture. The other thing and I don't know if you've found this but it's really hard for other people to understand, my wife will often say "did you get enough to eat?" or "don't know about you but I found that really filling" all in innocence as they are things she's said to me for over 30 years and old habits die hard but of course as soon as I say "well I really don't know" she'll realise. Martin

[Cavalier3 in reply to Hidden]

Yes I absolutely only eat really tasty food now.. no grabbing anything when your hungry anymore.. my space is precious 😂 I think this ball of whatever in my chest has been me being a bit full. That’s where my stomach is so it makes sense. I don’t know though.

[Hidden in reply to Cavalier3]

Yes I've also had a tight chest when I overeat which apparently is fairly common with a normal stomach so being as ours are much higher up isn't surprising either.

[jay2908]

I get the same symptoms sometimes also if I over eat, or if I drink liquids after eating. I think it’s because it causes a blockage which then prevents food and air going down. It’s a common symptom and not much can be done about it as far as I am aware, other than being careful with the foods I eat.

I find that ‘glupy’ foods such as yogurt can block my throat on it’s own. You could try Bio-Cult tablets, which for me reduce the bloating. I take just 1 tablet and the following day my stomach is more settled.

[Cavalier3 in reply to jay2908]

Thank you Jay, I’ve been eating an activia every day too thinking it’s good for my stomach. I will try some Bio-cult tablets.. thank you x Sue

[Molly14]

Hi - I’m 6yrs on and have had nothing but daily troubles with trapped air right in the middle of chest - I actually have to release it by sticking my finger down my throat and a mass of air will come up and the feeling goes but that happens to me several times a day - I had loads of checks done to find a cause but just new plumbing - at first it really got me down it was SO bad - I’ve learned to live with it and funnily enough this year it hasn’t been as bad - there are so many things we have to learn to live with after the surgery - but you also need to take advice from your team - they checked to see if I needed a stretch but I didn’t need one - they say I swallow air to - not sure about that one ! - all the best x

[Cavalier3 in reply to Molly14]

That sounds exactly what I’m like and yes it was/is getting me down a bit. My recovery has been amazing so far this being my only real problem apart from a bit of dumping in the first couple of months. I can feel the air get trapped when I swallow. Thank you for your reply Molly. I hope it carries on as this year and stays better!!!

[Molly14 in reply to Cavalier3]

I’ve only come across a few people over the years that have this problem - at first I felt a bit of a freak - but there are others with this and it’s put down to the new plumbing - the air that comes up when I release it is unbelievable - my husband used to always joke - that’s not natural - we were lucky we could joke about it but that aside it does get you down - all the best xx

[AussiePeterInLondon]

Hi,

Like some of the others who've already replied I still get this feeling some 7 years after surgery - had it yesterday and, (unfortunately) it was almost certainly connected with eating a little too much. I think we forget how much smaller our stomach's are post-operatively and it's easy to overeat specially when at a friends where they've loaded your plate and you don't want to be rude !

[Popsic]

Hi Cavalier,I had this, exactly the same as you, I had an endoscopy and my consultant suggested a Stretch, I was quite scared about having it, but I am so glad I did, I had it two weeks ago and since then I have had reflux twice but both times my fault ! I have been able to sleep on my left side for the first time in 8 years without reflux, I havnt had to take any gaviscon before bed, although I have 40 mg of omeprazole. But the improvement overall is amazing, so I would definitely recommend it.