1 Week Post op - Is this normal?

[mommyle]

I had my surgery last Tuesday. I can move around fine but am still having a lot of pain. I get these really sharp, shooting pains in my left side and I keep getting horrible stomach cramps. I have been taking pain meds at home and they are helping but I don’t want to take anything stronger than extra strength Tylenol when I have to drive or be at work / school. Also, I’m having a lot of trouble drinking water or anything that thin. It hurts going down. I can handle the protein shakes and I had a little tomato soup tonight but the water is awful. Is this normal? I am supposed to see my doctor again on Monday but I don’t know if something is wrong and I need to go in sooner.

[Dream Free]

I needed the hard stuff for a few weeks. Then I couldn't handle taking it anymore. Maybe take a 1/2 dose just to make it through the day. The pain subsides within a few weeks. You will feel like a million bucks one day and exhausted the next. Give it time. Cramping yes, you just had 3/4ths of your stomach removed. As far as the shooting pain...maybe call. If it's only when you don't take the pain meds...then maybe you need them.

I remember lying in bed staring at the glass of water and wanting to cry. In the beginning, I would go days without drinking any. But I suffered for it. It does hurt more than anything. Still don't know why. Just learned how to handle it better. Sip, let it sit in the mouth, trickle down the throat and then repeat 500 times a day and then you should be good. Reusable water bottle and sip ALL day long.

Keep up the good work, there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

[hind]

this is normal I guess, but eventually it will go. get well soon and be stronger than the pain

[Viv42]

I'm 3 weeks post op tomorrow and would say if the pains you are experiencing are mainly when sitting or sitting to standing or twisting then they are normal! I was most comfortable when standing or walking, getting up off the sofa or in and out of the car nearly brought me to tears. It's only this last few days when things have really settled. I had same issues with water for first week or 2. Hot drinks seemed better but milky drinks, jelly, yogurt and soup went down the best. I am much better this week and am managing 500-750mls of water a day on top of hot decaffeinated drinks. It's early days yet, give yourself time to heal x

[steve392]

does anyone know why it hurts to drink water? Is it tap or bottled? Im about to finish everything I needed to do before scheduling my surgery.

[Viv42]

I don't think it makes any difference if its tap or bottled. To me it just felt like it dropped straight down to the bottom of my stomach where as other liquids, tea with milk or milky drinks slid down gently. Jelly was my saviour, it slid down beautifully. My surgeon said to take really tiny sips and persevere, you still need to get fluids in but they can be in the form of milky drinks, jelly, decaf tea or coffee. I can now manage water much better and drink about 500-750 m&s lain water a day on top of other drinks.

[Debbie-Doo]

Hi. I was sleeved 1/3/13 and feel a lot what you are feeling. I saw my doctor this week and he said its very normal. I have that same pain in my left middle stomach too. If I bend or go from sitting to standing its a deep, sharp, burning pain. I'm still taking liquid lortab for pain. I'm supposed to go back to work on Monday. Still not sure how ill make it. Hang in there and good luck. It does get better little by little everyday.

[makeupbar]

Have you tried water at room temperature, it is easier to swallow. Or you can get your liquids via ice and Popsicles too!

[JennHug]

Did you know that Tylenol is an aspirin product? Aspirin upsets stomachs. I am on a one a day regimen but there is no way on earth I could use it for pain. Tylenol makes my tummy hurt, can't you try ibuprofen instead?

[Cindola]

Mommyle, you have had lots of suggestions here and they are well thought out. Your body is still recovering and every body heals differently and at different rates. When I had my surgery we were given G2 Gatorade to help keep us hydrated in the hospital, once I was at home I used it for a couple of days instead of water and then started mixing it with my water. It made the water go down easier and was able to transition to 100% water in a couple of days. I also drank lots of ginger tea and other teas that were non caffeine based to help. I know that when I had pain walking helped, thought that I'd wear a path in the house. Hope that things get better soon.

[Viv42]

I was told not to take ibuprofen after having the sleeve because of potential problems with stomach lining. I was advised to stick with paracetamol and to take it regularly at first even if not in pain as it would keep discomfort under control.

[Augie]

Tylenol is acetaminophen, not asprin. Ibuprofen is an NSAID and they are not allowed after surgery. I was sleeved in mid December and I still do not like plain water, it just doesn't feel good- hot, warm, cold- no good. I have read about many, many people who have trouble with plain water and I have not had trouble with any other food or liquid but plain water is a no go for me. It's kind of weird.

[Peach]

The pain is awful ,,,,, Im sorry ,,, was just talking of that tonight ,,,,, it DOES get better ,,,, I promise,, as for the water,,, I am 90 days out ,, and its still hard for me to drink all the water,,, but I drink crystal light,,, 4c iced tea to go ,,,, and even sugar free hawaiian punch ( there is a GOD ) .

Mix it up ,,play with the temperatures,,, for a while ,,, it was just chamomile tea,.... then just juice,,,, as long as its wet,,,,

I hope you find your niche ,,,,,

good luck ,,,

[steve392]

uggh, I drink water like crazy now and at work. I hope im able to drink it sooner rather then later once I have my surgery. Has anyone had coffee without issues or is it a no no?

[Dudu]

Pain is normal, I'm 6 weeks out and still feel pain when anything reaches my stomach, basically in the upper left side of it. I try to eat slowly, sip my water, and walk, walk, walk. It gets better!