How to relieve gas after laparoscopic surgery?

September 30, 2025 •

4 min read

Following laparoscopic surgery, many patients experience significant gas pain and bloating, with studies indicating that it affects a large percentage of individuals. Understanding how to relieve gas after laparoscopic surgery is crucial for a smoother, more comfortable recovery.

Quick Summary

This guide provides effective, physician-approved strategies for managing and relieving trapped gas and bloating after laparoscopic surgery, covering safe movement, dietary adjustments, and medication options.

Key Points

Gentle walking is key: Regular, short walks stimulate bowel motility and help the body expel trapped gas effectively.
Adjust your diet: Avoid carbonated drinks, straws, and gassy foods like beans and broccoli in the first few days to prevent additional bloating.
Use heat therapy: Applying a warm heating pad or water bottle to your abdomen can help relax muscles and soothe discomfort.
Consider simethicone: After consulting your doctor, over-the-counter medications with simethicone (e.g., Gas-X) can break down gas bubbles and provide relief.
Stay hydrated and try warm teas: Drinking plenty of water and sipping on warm peppermint or ginger tea can aid digestion and ease gas pain.
Don't ignore shoulder pain: Referred shoulder pain from trapped gas is normal but can be eased by moving around and lying down.

Understanding Post-Laparoscopic Gas Pain

Gas pain after laparoscopic surgery is a common and often unavoidable side effect. During the procedure, surgeons inflate the abdominal cavity with carbon dioxide (CO2) gas. This creates a space to see internal organs and operate with tiny instruments. While most of the gas is removed at the end of the surgery, some inevitably remains trapped inside.

This trapped gas can cause a variety of symptoms, including:

Abdominal bloating and fullness: The most common and direct result of the CO2 inside the abdomen.
Referred shoulder pain: A unique symptom of laparoscopy is shoulder pain. This occurs when the residual CO2 irritates the phrenic nerve, which runs from the neck to the diaphragm and shares nerve pathways with the shoulder. The brain misinterprets the irritation from the diaphragm as pain in the shoulder, particularly when sitting or standing upright.

The good news is that this gas pain is temporary. Your body will naturally absorb the remaining CO2 over a few days, and the pain will subside. However, there are several things you can do to accelerate the process and manage your discomfort.

Practical Strategies to Relieve Gas After Laparoscopic Surgery

Gentle Movement and Activity

One of the most effective ways to encourage the body to absorb and expel trapped gas is through movement. While strenuous exercise is off-limits during recovery, gentle activity is highly beneficial.

Walk frequently: Short, gentle walks around your house several times a day are excellent for stimulating bowel activity and promoting gas passage. Start with 5-10 minutes at a time and increase as you feel stronger.
Change positions regularly: Sitting up, lying down, and gently rocking can help shift the gas pockets, reducing localized pressure.
Do gentle leg raises: While lying on your back, slowly bend one knee toward your chest and hold for a count of 10. Repeat with the other leg. This can help stimulate abdominal muscles to move gas.

Dietary Adjustments

What you eat and how you eat it can significantly impact post-operative gas production. After surgery, your digestive system is often slower, making it more susceptible to gas buildup from certain foods.

Avoid trigger foods: For the first few days, avoid foods known to cause gas, such as beans, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and onions.
Cut out carbonated beverages: Sodas, sparkling water, and other carbonated drinks will add more gas to your system, worsening bloating.
Chew slowly and thoroughly: Eating too quickly causes you to swallow excess air, which contributes to gas.
Say no to straws: Drinking through a straw also increases the amount of air you swallow.
Stick to small, frequent meals: Large meals can overload your recovering digestive system. Opt for smaller, more frequent meals to aid digestion.

Heat Therapy and Massage

Applying warmth and gentle pressure can help relax muscles and promote gas movement.

Use a heating pad: Place a warm heating pad or warm water bottle on your abdomen for 15-20 minutes at a time. This can soothe muscle discomfort and help ease gas pain. Always place a towel between the pad and your skin to prevent burns.
Perform gentle abdominal massage: Make a loose fist with your left hand and use gentle pressure to massage your right side, moving upwards towards your ribs, across your abdomen, and down your left side. This follows the natural path of your colon and can help stimulate bowel activity.

Medications and Hydration

Consult your doctor before taking any medication, even over-the-counter (OTC) options, as they may interact with other post-operative medications or be contraindicated for your specific procedure.

Consider simethicone: OTC medications like Gas-X or Mylanta Gas contain simethicone, which works by breaking up large gas bubbles into smaller, more manageable ones.
Try peppermint or ginger tea: Warm peppermint and ginger teas are traditional remedies known for their ability to soothe the digestive tract and relax intestinal muscles, helping gas to pass.
Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water is essential for preventing constipation, which can worsen gas and bloating. Aim for at least 64 ounces of non-caffeinated fluids per day.

A Comparison of Gas Relief Methods


Method	How it Works	Pros	Cons
Gentle Movement (Walking)	Stimulates bowel motility, encourages gas expulsion.	No cost, highly effective, aids overall recovery.	May be uncomfortable initially, requires effort.
Dietary Adjustments	Reduces the amount of new gas created by avoiding specific foods and eating habits.	Addresses the root cause of the problem.	Requires discipline, temporary food restrictions.
Heat Therapy (Heating Pad)	Relaxes abdominal muscles and soothes discomfort.	Offers quick comfort, easy to apply.	Does not eliminate the gas, can increase swelling if used excessively.
OTC Medications (Simethicone)	Breaks down gas bubbles in the stomach and intestines.	Fast-acting relief for some individuals.	Requires doctor's approval, does not remove the root cause.
Herbal Teas (Peppermint/Ginger)	Soothes the digestive tract, relaxes muscles.	Natural remedy, warm liquids can be comforting.	Effectiveness varies, requires doctor's approval.

When to Contact Your Doctor

While post-operative gas pain is normal and typically resolves within a few days, you should contact your healthcare provider if you experience any of the following:

Severe or worsening abdominal pain.
Fever or chills.
Persistent nausea or vomiting.
Increased redness, swelling, or drainage from your incision sites.
No bowel movement for several days.

Conclusion

Gas pain following laparoscopic surgery is a temporary but bothersome side effect of the procedure. By proactively managing your recovery with gentle movement, a mindful diet, heat therapy, and possibly doctor-approved medications, you can significantly reduce your discomfort. Staying hydrated and listening to your body are key. Remember that this pain will pass as your body continues to heal and absorb the residual carbon dioxide, leading to a more comfortable and swifter recovery. For further information on managing your post-operative recovery, consult a reputable source such as Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Johns Hopkins Medicine - Post-operative Care

Frequently Asked Questions

Gas pain from the residual carbon dioxide typically lasts for a few days after laparoscopic surgery and should subside as your body absorbs the gas. Shoulder pain, caused by irritation of the phrenic nerve, often dissipates within 48 hours.

The gas pumped into your abdomen can irritate the diaphragm, which shares nerve pathways with your shoulder via the phrenic nerve. This causes referred pain in the shoulder area, especially when you are sitting or standing upright.

For the first few days, focus on a bland, low-fiber diet. Avoid foods that cause gas, such as beans, cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage), and high-fat or fried foods. Gradual reintroduction of fiber and a return to your normal diet is recommended.

Many doctors approve the use of simethicone-based medications like Gas-X to break down gas bubbles. However, it is crucial to consult your surgeon before taking any over-the-counter medication to ensure it is safe for your specific recovery.

Yes, passing gas after surgery is an important sign that your bowels are waking up and beginning to function normally again. Early movement like walking can help encourage this process and prevent complications like a post-operative ileus.

Yes, applying a warm heating pad to your abdomen can help relax the muscles and provide comfort. Always place a towel between the heat source and your skin, and avoid placing it directly on your incision sites.

Warm fluids such as peppermint or ginger tea are known for their ability to soothe the digestive tract and relax intestinal muscles. Staying well-hydrated with water is also essential for preventing constipation, which can worsen gas.