Laparoscopy is a diagnostic procedure in which a thin, flexible tool is placed inside the abdomen to examine its organs with a camera. A surgeon makes an incision in your belly, which is then filled with carbon dioxide. After surgery, a person may feel nauseous, constipated, or bloated.
So, how to get rid of bloating after laparoscopy?
It is possible to make yourself better with medication, home remedies, or even a gentle walk and good food. In this article, I’ve provided complete information on how to get rid of bloating after laparoscopy? You’re sure to benefit from these!
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How To Get Rid Of Bloating After Laparoscopy?
As part of the recovery process, most surgeons recommend bed rest. During this time, you cannot move like you usually do. But this causes excess gas to build up in the stomach. Further, the medication and IV fluids you receive after surgery can make you bloated.
Here are some simple ways to eliminate stomach and intestinal gas without complications:
You Can Take Medication To Help You Pass Gas
Gastritis after surgery is caused by intestinal gas retained after the surgery. However, some over-the-counter medicines can help to get rid of gastritis. These are safe and effective to cure bloating as well as improve digestion.
Below are a few medicines that you can take over the counter or by prescription.
Take A Short And Easy Stroll
Walking can regulate bowel movement. Although, patients are not allowed to walk after surgery. But complete immobilization may cause you severe gas. Therefore, you must walk a few steps on your foot to avoid gas buildup and improve digestion.
However, brisk walking, running, and strenuous activity are completely prohibited after surgery. You can wake slowly while taking short steps for 15 minutes. If you’re unable to walk, you can take help from a nurse or a folk.
Running and brisk walking may interfere with your surgery incisions; thus, you may need more recovery time. That’s why it is important not to do strenuous activity other than walking.
You Can Massage Your Stomach Or Rub It To Ease Gas Discomfort
Gentle massage and rubbing over the stomach can improve stomach activity. Thus, you can make a smooth bowel movement and prevent yourself from bloating. But keep in mind that massage and rubbing should be gentle. Avoid too much pressure; otherwise, you can get more discomfort or have trouble healing.
Drinking Peppermint Tea
Peppermint tea is one of the most effective remedies to cure indigestion and gas problems. It not only smooths the digestion process but also relaxes stomach walls and makes you feel light. For better gastrointestinal activity, you can add laxatives to tea.
Apart from these, it would help if you asked your surgeon before drinking peppermint tea or any other beverages.
You Can Get Better Results If You Chew Gum
Chewing gum can be as effective as peppermint tea to prevent bloating. No matter what gum flavor you chew, the chewing motion helps you avoid constipation and regulate bowel movements.
While chewing, you should close your mouth. If you open your mouth while chewing, you will fill your stomach with gas.
You Should Not Drink From Straws
When drinking from a straw, you might swallow air or even cause painful gas bubbles in your stomach. To avoid gas buildup, you should drink from open bottles or containers until your stomach discomfort is gone and you recover.
Wear Loose, Comfortable Clothes That Won’t Irritate Your Stomach
A comfortable outfit contributes to tummy comfort. Fit and tight clothing can make your stomach ache worse. It can put pressure on your stomach muscles.
That’s why surgeons recommend loose attire for two weeks after surgery to reduce stomach issues.
Use A Heat Pack
The heating effect can relax the abdomen muscles, and the gas will pass. Eventually, you will feel relaxed. You can use a heat pack or a towel soaked in hot water for this purpose.
Yet, you should consider it carefully. Avoid overheating, wetting, or putting too much pressure on the stomach. Otherwise, you could experience complications from your surgery.
How Long Does Bloat Last After Surgery?
Your caretaker may ask you if you have passed gas or not. It is a sign that bowel movements are returning to normal. In general, gas pain relives within 1 to 2 days.
Swollen or puffy tummy is common after surgery. It is also uncomfortable to feel bloated or gassy. It takes 12 weeks to 12 months for these symptoms to completely subside.
However, post-operative swelling and bloating generally subside over time.
What Relieves Bloating Fast?
Attempting to induce gas release or pulling on your anal to fart might cause stomach discomfort. That’s why your doctor recommends you make digestion easy for your stomach. Also, they prescribe medicines to prevent constipation and gas buildup.
Here are some other options for bloating relief besides laxatives and stool softeners.
- Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated
- Choose mild foods that are high in potassium
- Make asparagus a part of your diet
- Walking on your feet can help to ease bloating
- Drink dandelion root tea
- Magnesium pills can help you avoid constipation
- Anti-gas pills can help
- Essential oils are helpful, but you should only use them after consulting a doctor
Food Can Help Relieve Bloating
You should avoid eating foods that can irritate your stomach lining and cause gas. As various oligosaccharides, starches, sugars, lactose, and milk products cause bloating.
Moreover, you should avoid food that can cause inflammation. You can choose from the following food groups to improve your bloating condition.
- Green beans
- Cucumbers
- Fennel
- Yogurt
- Berries (blueberries, strawberries, blackberries)
- Green tea
- Apple
- Kombucha
- Bananas
- Apricots
- Rhubarb
- Kiwi
- Papaya
- Oat
- Pineapple
The Fastest Way To Recover From Laparoscopy
Just like other surgeries, you are sure to suffer from pain and discomfort after surgery. In the case of laparoscopy, this condition can last up to 5 days or even several weeks. It depends on your treatment plan.
Here are a few easy methods to heal laparoscopic incisions.
- Getting enough sleep
- Walk daily (try to walk slowly and then gradually increase your walking pattern)
- Avoid intense activity (riding, weight-lifting, jogging, aerobic exercise)
- Do not lift anything that strains your muscles (grocery bags, child, backpack, vacuum cleaner)
- Keep your wounds hygienic and dry
- Avoid taking a bath for at least a week after surgery
List Of Foods To Avoid After Laparoscopy
As food helps to recover from laparoscopy, some foods can worsen your condition and lead to surgery complications. Indeed, you should avoid food that can cause constipation and gastritis that can cast pressure on your incision.
During the first week after surgery, only take liquids. Furthermore, you can speed up your recovery by eating soft and nutritious food. Moreover, avoid overeating and try to make digestion easier.
Here is the list of foods to avoid after surgery
- Dehydrated food (beef jerky, potato chips)
- Milk and Full-fat dairy products (sour cream, ice-cream, cheese)
- Processed Food
- Carbonated drinks (soda, cola, seltzer water, sparkling water)
- Meat (beef, red meat of all kinds)
- Sweets (cakes, pastries, candies, sweeteners)
- Alcohol and chemical drugs
- Popcorn and chips
- Spicy and fried food
FAQ
How Long Does It Take For The Gas To Come Out After Laparoscopy?
Anesthesia can slow down bowel movement, thus leading to constipation and gas buildup in the stomach. Stomach gas can, however, be passed out after 48 hours. During this interval, even small gas gaps can occur.
Furthermore, the condition of bloating went away entirely after 12 weeks of surgery. Certain anti-gas medicines and home remedies can help speed up this process.
How Long Does It Take To Heal Internally After Laparoscopy?
Depending on the surgery you’ve had, you may experience an internal recovery. For instance, the body can heal a surgery spot internally in three weeks of undergoing appendix removal. If you’ve had major surgery, such as ovary removal or kidney transplant, you need 12 weeks to recover.
Moreover, diet and medication can speed up your healing process. Negligence during or after surgery can exacerbate your conditions.
How Soon Can I Run After Laparoscopy?
A three- to four-week waiting period is recommended before starting certain strenuous activities. It also depends on the extent of surgery and your general health. You can then walk, run, and do vigorous exercises.
But, if you feel discomfort and pain, you need to refrain from these activities.
What Causes Gas Production After Surgery?
The following factors cause gas production after surgery
- The lymphatic system has been surgically disrupted
- Post-surgery medication may slow down your digestion, which leads to stomach gas.
- Post-operative constipation may result in bloating.
- IV-fluids may make you bloated.
- Fluid retention may cause swelling and bloating in the stomach.
What Is Gas Pain After Laparoscopic Surgery?
During the laparoscopic process, carbon dioxide is used to inflate the stomach cavity. This carbon dioxide can trap the breathing muscles and irritate the phrenic nerve. Indeed, this irritation is gas pain.
This gas pain can cause cramps, pain, or bloat. Moreover, it can cause intestinal gas and shoulder pain. Yet, it is short-term and can be better after pooping or passing gas.
How Do I Debloat My Stomach ASAP?
Bloating in the stomach can cause gas pain, stomach cramps, or even nausea. But, it can be cured if you treat your constipation or regulate your bowel movement. Moreover, some medicines and home remedies help to pass stomach gas.
Here are some ways to improve your stomach’s health:
- Chewing bubble gum can speed digestion activity and help to pass gas.
- Drinking a cup of peppermint or caffeine tea can help to regulate bowel movements.
- Yoga and leg raise workouts help to pass gas.
- Intake high fiber food to regulate digestion
- Relax your stomach muscles with heat pads
Apart from these, taking probiotics, a low sodium diet, and fluids help to regulate your gut activity.
Is there any alternative to laparoscopy?
Following are the few alternatives to the laparoscopy surgical process.
- Air insufflation
- Gasless laparoscopy
- Pelosi minilaparotomy hysterectomy (most effective substitute for laparoscopy)
Getting To The Bottom Line
After surgery, some side effects are sure to occur. But luckily, these are short-term and can go away without causing much health risk—same in the case of bloating. Indeed, you have learned “How to get rid of bloating after laparoscopy.”
However, the healing power of everyone is different. But, if you follow all pre and post-operative instructions, you can recover soon.
