DFW Bariatrics and General Surgery, Dr. Sachin Kukreja’s practice, posted this video on its YouTube channel on May 1, 2025.
From the video’s description on YouTube
Let’s talk about it: Gas pains after bariatric surgery. There are different types of gas pains that can occur after surgery, and they differ in severity.
1⃣ Pain from the carbon dioxide used to inflate your abdomen during surgery. This usually shows up as pain or soreness in the shoulders. It’s uncomfortable, but generally harmless. This gas pain goes away within a few days.
2⃣ Pain from gas stuck in your intestines. During surgery, there’s a chance your intestines will slow down or temporarily “go to sleep,” which traps any gas in your system. Get up and moving as soon as possible after surgery to help reduce this. You can also try medications for gas, like simethicone.
3⃣ The last one is both the most severe and the most rare. Anytime we use staples in the bowel or stomach, there is a very small chance that the staples don’t hold. This risk can be increased if you are a smoker, take steroids, or have uncontrolled diabetes. If the staples don’t hold, some of the gas or fluids that are usually in your GI tract can escape into the rest of your belly. This pain can be cramping or stabbing, constant, and might also come with fever, chills, or nausea. If you experience this, contact your doctor or go to an ER.
Reminder If you are experiencing pain levels you can’t tolerate or that don’t go away, contact your doctor. You know your body best, which makes you your best advocate.
More videos from the practice are on Dr. Sachin Kukreja’s profile.
