Got my sleeve!

[Fitforlife1978]

I had my sleeve surgery on Tuesday an I was released from the hospital yesterday. I am having difficulty drinking and eating my liquid diet. I keep having a gurgling sensation in my throat when I sip. I'm worried that I won't get my protein or water intake. I still have a lot of pain in my abdomin, but I'm getting around okay. My tube is out and I'm free from wires now. Does anyone know if this gurgling is just trapped air or if its something I need to get used to having around. Also, when does the pain totally subside? Any other advice is appreciated.

[slags68]

I didn't have gurgling in my throat after surgery. But my stomach/abdomen area gurgled loudly for the first week. Even my husband could hear it sitting 6 feet away! lol But that has subsided for the most part. Now it's just occasionally.

As for my abdominal pain, it probably lasted a week to week and a half and then after that it just hurt if I leaned or bumped my incisions. I had a drain in until my post op visit. My pain decreased a lot after I got the drain out.

Best wishes to you!

[shemarie]

My belly gurgles sometimes still, if I drink water too fast, it sounds like there is something alive in my stomach! Since you just had surgery 2 days ago, I would say that it is too early to be worried about not getting in all of your protein and fluids. Just work on sipping away and getting as much in as possible. I know that my goal was 50grams immediately after surgery, and it just wasn't possible. I am 3 weeks out now and am so much better. It will come, you just have to be patient with it sometimes.

[alice1]

The healing process will take around two weeks, however, everyone is different. You need to sip very slowly and take a few seconds break in between. I remember during my first two weeks post op, my waking hours were consumed by drinking, you'll get used to it. Follow the surgeon's instruction regarding the pain management and contact him/her if you need a stronger script.
Take it easy and wishing you a speedy recovery!

[Fitforlife1978]

Thanks for the responses. I haven't had much gas in the stomach. I guess in still trying to figure out how much liquid I can take in at a time. My protein goal is 70 and there is no way I will reach that. I am concerned that this surgery will not help me because I still feel hunger all the time. Probably because I am being over cautious and not taking in enough. It's still a learning process.

[Little Verbena]

I would say my pain was gone by the end of the fifth day. But I was so tired the second week I was glad I took two weeks off work. The gurgling is not something I had when I was sipping but my tummy does a little deep growl when I am getting full. If I stop eating then I am very satisfied.

The only advice I have for you is move around as much as you can. Get up and walk and walk and walk. That helps you systems heal and gets out any trapped gas.

[slags68]

Thanks for the responses. I haven't had much gas in the stomach. I guess in still trying to figure out how much liquid I can take in at a time. My protein goal is 70 and there is no way I will reach that. I am concerned that this surgery will not help me because I still feel hunger all the time. Probably because I am being over cautious and not taking in enough. It's still a learning process.

Are you taking an acid reducing medicine each day? Many people say that the acid in your stomach makes you feel hungry. My surgeon has me on a daily dose for at least the first year of this medicine.

[Fitforlife1978]

I was taking something for acid reflux prior to surgery. I noticed on my paperwork that my surgeon told me to continue taking it, but suggsted another type that's over the counter. Probably due to size. I'm really struggling to get my protein down. I've managed to have about 50grams and I'm supposed to get 70. I'm trying. When I take sips I get this pain sensation in my stomach and then I burp and it goes away. I just hope this gets easier.

[Fitforlife1978]

Well some good new, the gurgling has virtually stopped. I am still a little gassy, but that may just be me getting used to how fast I can take in fluids. I was able to drink almost two whole protein shakes today. I do actually feel hungry, which is disappointing. I've had a couple of sugar free Popsicles and that's helped. I've also found a great unflavored protein powder to mix with my sf kool aid. The pain seems to be getting better by the day. I cannot wait for the day that I can eat a salad or actual meat again.

[karenl3]

Fitforlife, here's to a speedy recovery and I'm glad the pain is getting better for you.

[Fitforlife1978]

I must say I am so sick of laying on my back and sitting on my butt. I get up as much as I can and I'm trying to stay busy. My belly is still swollen and my incision sites are itchy. I'm struggling to get my shakes down and I know I'm not getting enough water. Thank goodness for unflavored protein powder and crystal light. I'm still tolerating the chewable vitamins okay. I walked 40 min on the treadmill and all I wanted to do was gulp water. It was hard to control myself. I am being a good girl and sip sip sipping away. I'm getting a little acid reflux so I need to get meds for that. I'm only taking pain meds once a day. Feeling pretty good. I'm so ready to chew on something with texture. I'm still sick of sweet stuff. I didn't realize liquid for two weeks pre-op and 2 post-op would be so hard.

[bubblequeen]

fit for life,
slow down a bit girl! just take it slow, you'll be able to get it all in eventually. little sips. try some broth, and clear soups that are strained. I got tired of the sweet stuff too. just pace yourself and don't push it with the foods, your new tummy will revolt on you and you don't want that. once you get to pureed and then soft it gets better. pureed mush stage was actually baby foods, sf puddings etc. moved onto cottage cheese, scrambled eggs, canned tuna and chicken from there. slowly tried other foods something new each week, some times tummy liked and other times it was a big fat "hell no!"
You'll find things that you cant eat. mine are things like processed carbs: white bread, tortillas, white potatoes. Ground meats are a big fat nooooo....not sure why... any way good luck with the process, just take your time and you will get thru it all!

[Chrisyytina]

I had my sleeve on the 3rd so I'm almost a week out. I have the gurgling sound in my throat and it's painfully annoying. I'm hoping mine goes away soon. I'm still in too much pain to exercise. Kudos for treadmill walking!

[Fitforlife1978]

You might try the gas X strips. They worked for me and I'm not making the gurgling noise anymore. Good luck!

[Fitforlife1978]

Thanks! I'm feelin pretty good today. I'm am feeling hungry which is annoying. Im not sure if im eating enough or if i am being too stingy. My only concern is getting my water and protein for the day. I startes feeling acid reflux last night. I am a bit concerned about that because my dr mentioned that the sleeve can cause that and sometimes she has to do a revision to a bypass because the acid it too bad for some. I definitely don't want to go through this again. I got some acid reducer and hopefully that will take care of it. I know I need to slow down, I am sooooo ready for the purée stage. I want to walk as much as I can too.