Pain and Gas After Surgery - When Does It End?

I'm 4.5 months post-op and still have pain with gas. I had back-to-back open surgery, so I thought maybe my insides were still swollen. Shouldn't the swelling have gone down by now?!?! Sheesh!! Does pain with gas ever go away? I'm still scared to try new foods because of gas pain. I use the heating pad a lot for relief. Just wondering if gas pain diminishes after a while.

Hello MoeMoe,

If possible, arrange to get a CT scan and colonoscopy. Pain is not normal, especially pain that persists. Make sure that "gas only" is causing your pain.

Most gas should flow through your stoma without too much trouble. Usually results in an inflated bag.

Let us know what happens.

I get pain with gas too, but as soon as it comes out, it's over.

Thanks, friends! I will most definitely talk to my surgeon this week. I had two CT scans at two months post-op and was told the colostomy went well and all was okay in regards to the surgery itself, but that the two surgeries left major swelling in my mesentery, which I feel and can physically see that it's still swollen but it's getting better (slowly). The pain goes away when the gas comes out, but it's painful until then and it isn't all the time. I haven't been able to pinpoint what causes painful gas and what doesn't. Also, I've noticed it's only happened twice, but I have pain on output and the pain is where the mesentery is… left side next to the stoma. Calling the surgeon on Monday, keep you posted. Thanks so much!

In my youth (many years ago) I was told to put an ice pack on my stomach when I suffered a “gas pocket.” It would always help. If it is truly gas, then maybe this would help rather than heat. If you are unsure about it being gas, then you should probably seek medical advice. JB

My Ostomy Journey: Keyla | Hollister