Burning like reflux?

[Lauren]

I am 3 days post op from having my Lap-Band and port removed and a conversion to a gastric sleeve. I had a horrible time of it after I got home until about a day ago. After my swallowing study was completed and my surgeon came around to tell me it was perfect...I ate 1 popsicle and had 2 sips of water. He told me no more than 60 mls at one time. I was miserable for 6 hours!!!! Was that too much to start with? For the next 24 hours, anytime I tried to sip anything I would get this burning feeling in my upper chest, this painful fullness, and have to go throw up. Most of the time it would be pure yellow bile but the last few times were just dry heaves. I have been taking compazine 10 mg by mouth every 6 hours for nausea and have managed to keep that down somehow. I started sipping on my protein drink (pure protein clear and fruity) and have consummed about 8 ounces of that since yesterday afternoon. I know that's not enough, but I'm so scared I'm going to have that horrible feeling again. Any suggestions?

[FlowerGalTX]

60 ml is the same as 2 oz.

A popsicle is slightly more than 1 1/2 oz.
Not sure how much water you intake in a sip. =)

My guess is total consumption was NOT too much. Or maybe minimally more than recommended.

What is probably going on is an issue with mechanics. When we swallow various parts of our digestive system do different functions at different times. The Cardiac Sphincter (aka Gastroesophageal Junction) at the top of the stomach acts as a gate to the contents of the stomach and opens during the swallowing process as the esophagus opens and entry to the windpipe closes. The burning feeling comes from stomach acids ascending the esophagus. At the same time you are trying to swallow other gastric juices are coming up. That does not make for a pleasant situation. Once the bile rises to the point you can taste it or you feel that burning there will be some irritation to the lining of the esophagus. This irritation is further aggravated for hours as you attempt to swallow more fluids.

I would consult with your doctor and see what he/she thinks, especially since yours is a higher risk procedure having the lapband removal and conversion to gastric sleeve in the same procedure.

This could be nothing and simply be the result of an over-production of stomach acids in combination with one of your first attempts to drink post-surgery. Most people when they have such an unpleasant experience of vomiting tend to then be afraid to eat/drink as we don't want a repeat of the stressful/painful episode. My daughter (12) still talks about the one time she threw up when she was 5.

Keep on your nausea meds unless they are not of benefit to you. Compazine doubles as an anti-anxiety drug so that may (or may not) help you deal with the stress better.

[Lauren]

Thanks so much for such a thorough reply. What you said makes perfect sense. Luckily I have not had that feeling since yesterday morning and have actually been able to drink 4 ounces of chicken broth with unflavored protein powder (for 26 mg of protein) in 1 hour with no problem. Also, I have been able to drink about 6 ounces of my clear protein drink (12 ounces of protein) throughout the day so far. I am feeling encouraged now! I will see my doctor Tuesday and will add this to my list of questions. Thanks again for the reply!!