LOUD stomach noises are causing problems at work!!!

**silvertaurus** · 08-07-2013 02:01 PM

I am about 4 months out of surgery, and my stomach is extremely loud. It is so loud that it constantly makes noises that are very audible to everyone in the room. I tried for a while to shift, make noises, cough, clear my throat when it happened, but that started to get ridiculous. So, I have mentioned a couple times, "Excuse me, my stomach is being gurgly today for some reason."

However, this is extremely awkward. I am a professional in a fairly elevated management role, and I spend a great deal of time in meetings or running them. I have NOT shared with work any details of my surgery and I don't intend to do so, as I know in my environment it would backfire.

So, does anyone have advice? Are there any tips or tricks on how to reduce this? The only thing that works is not eating or drinking at all (and that doesn't always work). I make these noises from food or drink, and for what seems like several hours after food or drink. As you well know, we need to keep drinking, so the noises are almost constant.

If my mouth happens to be open when they come up, they are even louder.

This is really reaching bizarre proportions, and I talked to my surgeon but he just looked at me like I was crazy and he had never heard of such a thing. Help???

**drisner** · 08-07-2013 02:26 PM

I haven't had that problem. My suggestion would be to track what food causes the noises to be louder and avoid those during the work day.

Also, you're probably doing this, but make sure you're not drinking anything for 30 minutes before you eat, while you eat and for 30 minutes after you eat.

**barrbdoll** · 08-07-2013 02:27 PM

Happens to me all the time and I am almost a year and a half post op..... and yes... every time I take a bite or drink it's almost as if my belly is saying "thank you"...... Probably not the answer you wanted to hear but.... it's a reality.... as least for me.... and just for the record... I am an executive for a large banking institution and understand high profile meetings/presentations.. I try not to eat before heading into a presentation for that reason alone..

**silvertaurus** · 08-07-2013 02:38 PM

Thanks! I wish I could say that only certain foods or drinks cause this, but it really is everything, so that makes tracking simple (unfortunately!).

I hear you, barbdoll. That's where I am right now (avoiding food/drink for a while before really important meetings). Unfortuantely, since my whole day is eaten up by meetings most of the time, I can only do that for the really important ones. (And who knows what to do when they all seem important.)

I appreciate that someone at least knows what it is like! I also just get sick and tired of hearing them sometimes, as they're just annoying. :P I was just hoping (still hoping?) that someone had found some special way of chilling it out for a bit and making it hush up.

**abequa2000** · 08-07-2013 03:26 PM

mine does also and i have tryed tracking foods dosnt seam to matter what i eat or drink i am 4 months with the sleeve and was almost 3 years with the band it was the same with the band

**barrbdoll** · 08-07-2013 03:49 PM

my favorite **I'm being sarcastic** is when I open my mouth to take a bite of food and the noise comes out.... My throat seems to like to play right along with my belly..... ugh!!