Questions

[Bellagirl]

As I’m sitting here, bored watching TV yet another day recuperating, I started to wonder about a few things. All of these pills that I am breaking in half and taking every 10 minutes, will I eventually be able to take them normally? It seems like I spend all day long doing nothing but taking pills. Also, does anyone know the reason why you cannot chew gum? I understand it may have something to do with air, like no more straws, but it seemed to me that it should only be during recovery, not permanently. That was one of the discharge instructions from the hospital.

[Sandra3]

Hi Lisa,

It's only day 5, you will feel much better after two weeks.

I don't know what are all those pills you are taking. Vitamins?

I was taking mine from day 3, I did pick smaller omegas because my previous were huge, but all my other vitamins were normal size and I never had to cut in in half (not in my guideline, I only took liquid vitamins the first three days). Taking vitamins was sometimes difficult but I used to take it in the morning with my protein shake.

Gums is for the air, same as straws. But I was using straws from may be week 2 or 3, I was careful with it (I was allowed to use straws anyway...) not to get too much air in my stomach because I knew it could be a problem. I was using the large ones to drink my protein shake because drinking from a glass made it more difficult...go figure...my nausea was very bad..straws did help me to drink.

I had a barium test two months ago, and at 3 years, my sleeve is still very small, 210 ml. I never pushed food or eat when full. I always try to eat less than half a plate, if the food is dense, 1/3 of a plate. I think that's more important. I did use straws, but don't drink sparkling water often, never chew gum...

Nothing is permanent, and from my side, 3 years out, I'm still dealing with some food intolerance, but it's better today.

Nobody could tell I had bariatric surgery from looking at my plate. I do eat a small portion, do not drink during meals but many people don't...

[sraebaer]

Yes, it won't be long before you can swallow any size pill. My multi-vitamins are huge!

I had never heard of the gum rule, however I don't chew gum. I'm sure it's not permanent.

[Bellagirl]

Was anybody hungry after the surgery? My stomach is growling so loudly, so I don’t think it’s a mind hunger. The doctor decided not to advance my diet to soft foods (like Greek yogurt or cottage cheese) since I am having a weird sensation of a “lump” in my chest every time I drink. She feels I may be really tight. I can manage to get in 2 protein shakes but I am way behind every day in drinking my liquids, even with constant sipping. She has suggested 2 oz. every hour of protein shake in addition to my fluids. It takes me over a hour to get in 6 oz, so my whole day is spent watching the clock. Am I just driving myself crazy with worry?

[Sandra3]

You just had surgery, and worry about this new stomach. But you will learn each day, and I think the most important is to get busy with a project (read a book, take an online class) it will keep you from worry too much.

Look at your stomach as if it is the size of a pencil. So only tiny tiny sips to avoid discomfort! (and later on with soft food, use those tiny expresso spoons, it does help).
Sometimes doctors are not really clear about that, but patient do have swollen stomachs, some more than others.
Since I was so sick at the beginning, I did stay longer on full liquids because my stomach couldn't stand soft food. It's all good! just listen to your body!

And you don't need to monitor each hour of the day. The important thing is to keep the stress away, know what is your goal for the day, and just sip all day to reach it.

I did that, had a hard time to reach my protein goal because I had very strong nausea, but on month 3 it got a little better and my protein intake was fine.

Give yourself some time to recover: listen to some happy music or watch a "feel good" movie. Stay positive! It will get better very soon.
The state of mind is always important in recovery.

Take care.

PS : most patients take a PPI for at least one month post-op to avoid reflux. If you are not currently taking a PPI, it's not hunger you feel...it's stomach acid.

[Stacey03]

I chewed gum al the time because I was worried that my breath was smelly. My surgeon said it was fine :-)

[Pudsley]

It will Get better!

You know you are dealing with your recovery from the surgery!

Look at it as in recovery from the surgeon's knife if you like.

Its had a trauma this is what you are dealing with at present.

Healing!!!!

Then when its healed you can expect to learn how your body adjusts to having a sleeve.
For me, it has been a journey of being careful and practical.

I don't have space for stuff like I used to it has a limit.
So be aware get to know your new sleeve but you can't expect to know this at this point as you are healing from the operation not looking at how it will be when its healed and will help you as your tool to work with in say 2 months time thats when you will discover what is working with your sleeve.

Then it may be an adjustment again in say another 2 months Give yourself Time.

I know its exciting and you want to know how it works but you are unable to gage that at this stage, It's like expecting to walk and run on a broken leg cos you have just had it fixed, and your sense of expectation is well I used to be able to walk or run and its had surgery so he we go. No ... Recovery and rehabilitation take time its Normal.

Hope this makes sense.

[Bellagirl]

Thank you all for your words of wisdom. I’ve decided to start getting out and walking every day, and turn the TV off. I know I’m not meeting my fluid goals but each day I try my hardest and I know eventually I will get there. Thank you for listening to me and letting me discuss my fears. I think I was not as prepared as I should have been and recovery has been more difficult than I thought. Unfortunately I do not know anyone who has had a sleeve so I feel very isolated at times. But with each day I learn more, I worry less. I have a 2 week follow-up on the the 8th, and I hope to have all my questions answered and fears relieved.

[Stacey03]

It is a bit of a journey Bellagirl. And I remember being a bit knocked sideways by it as I had never had surgery before. I was exhausted for 6 weeks but I went with the flow and it was all okay in the end. You will do great :-)

[Katrina]

I've always chewed gum (less now that I quit smoking, but still sometimes). I drink out of a straw. I did use a pill grinder for who knows how long after surgery. I swallow whole now, but it is challenging. Protein shakes - I drink one 15 oz. Shake from 8:30 am to 12 pm. I drink another one from 2 pm to 5 pm. I'm a great little bariatric patient until dark. Then there is a beast that comes out and must eat ALL the food. I'm ALWAYS hungry after I take that first bite of food. It's been 4.5 years, and it is still a pain in the ass for me.

[KiwiGal]

Hey Lisa.
Walking will certainly help you feel a bit better........and each day will be better and better.
I'm glad that you come on here and ask questions. I only knew one person that had been sleeved before me and this forum has been invaluable for support and advice.
Sip that water, walk when you can and rest up. I bet by the time you go for your 2 week follow-up you will be feeling much better.
Hang in there x

[EllisM80]

Was anybody hungry after the surgery? My stomach is growling so loudly, so I don’t think it’s a mind hunger. The doctor decided not to advance my diet to soft foods (like Greek yogurt or cottage cheese) since I am having a weird sensation of a “lump” in my chest every time I drink. She feels I may be really tight. I can manage to get in 2 protein shakes but I am way behind every day in drinking my liquids, even with constant sipping. She has suggested 2 oz. every hour of protein shake in addition to my fluids. It takes me over a hour to get in 6 oz, so my whole day is spent watching the clock. Am I just driving myself crazy with worry?

I was hungry after surgery and I felt that same feeling in my chest. It turned out to be indigestion. The doctor gave me a 2nd PPI for 1 week and that went away. I also thought I was hungry but it was really just that I needed fluids. I set a timer on my phone for every 15 minutes to drink 1 ounce of water. I let myself get dehydrated ONE time! Never let it happen again! It's not like pre-surgery. It really is worse after surgery! I am almost 6 months post op, down 80 lbs and I can now take my handful of pills at the same time in the morning. You will get the hang of it.

[Christie13]

The air can irritate your stomach. But I drank with straws early on with no issues. It is how I had to drink my water. I also started to chew gum after a few months with no issues. As for pills, I started to take my BP meds a week post op whole bc I cannot stand crushing them. Most surgeons say after 30 days it is ok to take pills.

[JessNP]

I'm a great little bariatric patient until dark. Then there is a beast that comes out and must eat ALL the food. I'm ALWAYS hungry after I take that first bite of food. It's been 4.5 years, and it is still a pain in the ass for me.

OMG - I have the SAME issue! Once the sun goes down, it's like a switch gets flipped and I am ravenous and nothing can satisfy it. Once I take the first bite of food, its all over. Eating leads to more eating. Been like this my whole life - drives me crazy!!