I had a lot a pain from the gas and alot of trouble breathing properly after the operation. I found that heat packs on my shoulders (particularly the left) worked really well. Also, one of the nurses at the Avenue in Melbourne gave me peppermint water which worked really well. Perhaps you could try peppermint tea - it makes you burp and relieves some of the gas pressure.
The gas that is pumped into your abdomen during the surgery is absorbed through the bowel and stomach lining this is what causes the need to pass wind from both ends. The gas is also absorbed up through your diaphragm into the area surrounding your lungs etc, this along with the nerve stimulation from around your stomach (from having the band put in place) causes the chest and shoulder pain.
You should also try taking some pain relief as it is realy important to be as comfortable as possible so that you can take deep breaths, cough and keep moving.

If it continues you definately need to call your surgeons rooms.

Good Luck
Amanda
Melbourne Australia
Banded 26th September 2006
Avenue Private Hospital
Lost 15.5 kg so far (34.1 lbs)