Need advice from the experts...trouble drinking water 1 day post op...

[pmommy 0]

I had surgery yesterday and have been having some issues with Water. When I drink it I feel discomfort, and a tightness in my chest. It only last a minute or two and then passes.

1. Is this just because my surgery was so recent and there is swelling?

2. Am I taking too big of sips or drinking too fast?

3. Is this being "stuck" and is it bad for my band?

4. Will I be able to drink bigger sips/ faster after I heal?

I'm just realizing how hard it's really going to be to drink and eat slow....I thought I was already. :wink2:

TIA!

[Cocoabean 430]

I had surgery yesterday and have been having some issues with Water. When I drink it I feel discomfort, and a tightness in my chest. It only last a minute or two and then passes.

1. Is this just because my surgery was so recent and there is swelling?

2. Am I taking too big of sips or drinking too fast?

3. Is this being "stuck" and is it bad for my band?

4. Will I be able to drink bigger sips/ faster after I heal?

I'm just realizing how hard it's really going to be to drink and eat slow....I thought I was already. :wink2:

TIA!

Hi pmommy,

Take very small sips and see how that goes. If that doesn't go down, call your doc. It could be swelling, but you should be able to get sips of Water down.

You should be sipping about 1 oz every 15 minutes, I think is the rate I was told by my surgeon's office.

Edited March 13, 2010 by Cocoabean
To add the last sentence.

[Humming Bird 275]

Keep an icepack up high and to the left on your belly to help the swelling go down. This is what really helped me. Very tiny sips of ice cold Water and ice chips help too. This is why they say eat popsicles too.

[pmommy 0]

my Protein Shake (a very liquidy one) caused me about 30 minutes of discomfort. Not like to Water as much but hurt my tummy. I think I am drinking too fast. How long should I be taking to drink a Liquid Protein shake, or a cup of water?

[pmommy 0]

oh and by discomfort, it left me feeling like I had to burp, but couldn't. I'n beginning to think I will lose a ton of weight with the band because I'll never enjoy eating again!...it seems too painful. I need a mentor.....

[SoccerMomma73 1,867]

oh and by discomfort, it left me feeling like I had to burp, but couldn't. I'n beginning to think I will lose a ton of weight with the band because I'll never enjoy eating again!...it seems too painful. I need a mentor.....

I was very similar for about 72 hours then it got easier...then on day 7 I was starving. Take tiny sips and rest a few seconds/minutes between sips. I was told 3-4 ounces an hour so about an ounce ever 15-20 minutes...it's not much. If you can't get that much down you need to call your doc before you get dehydrated.

Good luck, it does get better!

[btrieger 21]

That have to burp feeling lasted me 3 days. The Gas-X helps. I had no problem guzzling Water though.

Good luck!

[pmommy 0]

oops - I drank my 10 ounce Protein Shake in about 15 minutes... I wasn't given any instructions other than sip slow...i thought that was slow. I will try to eat slower next time...

[texassparkles 0]

I had my surgery on Monday and today was the first day that I was able to drink without that pain: I dont know if I finally figured out how to drink slower or if the swelling went down! From Monday till today I have lost 10lbs though: so I guess it was kinda worth it!

[emily5674 0]

I had surgery yesterday and have been having some issues with Water. When I drink it I feel discomfort, and a tightness in my chest. It only last a minute or two and then passes.

1. Is this just because my surgery was so recent and there is swelling?

2. Am I taking too big of sips or drinking too fast?

3. Is this being "stuck" and is it bad for my band?

4. Will I be able to drink bigger sips/ faster after I heal?

I'm just realizing how hard it's really going to be to drink and eat slow....I thought I was already.

TIA!

Hi there, I was banded on 2/22/10 and for the first 4 days i lived with a heating pad on my belly. It really helped with the soreness and the gas. It really sounds like you are having gas pains. I had alot of discomfort the first few days when I drank something so my hubby called the dr, they suggested to take the extra strength gas-x, it worked like a charm. OH, and walk every hour atleast a lap around the house. Walking works the gas out. Take comfort in knowing that you are not alone and this will pass. Monday I will be 3 weeks post op, I feel fantastic and have lost almost 25lbs since surgery. I wouldn't give up my band for anything.

Good Luck and God Bless! :wink2:

Emily

Banded 2/22/10 Houston, Tx

[dontgoggilme 0]

i had my surgery yesterday and i, too, am having the pains that pmommy complained of. i'm glad to hear that it will hopefully go away. my doc did instruct me to be drinking 2oz of shake or Water every 15 minutes. i don't know howi i'll ever get four eight ounce shakes and 64 oz of water down in a day. it took me three hours to do one shake.i just kept feeling soooo full.

[Humming Bird 275]

The feeling like you have to burp but can't does get better over time. I know it feels very strange, but you will be able to burp like normal at some point.

[pmommy 0]

Sorry to be obnoxious but I am posting this question in both of the threads I started in hopes of getting an answer...

I am now 48 hours post op, and I have another pain question. Sometimes before I even drink or even after, I get this tight feeling in my THROAT. It lasts only a second and it's a tightness/shortness of breath feeling at the same time. Has anyone experienced this? I am really working on eating (liquids of course) and drinking Water slow but it's harder than I thought. Today I actually think I have hunger for the first time since coming out of surgery. I am just super paranoid about blood clots so I want to be sure chest pain is explainable!

[Humming Bird 275]

Let me start by saying I am not a lapband Dr./expert nor do I play one on T.V. I can only speak from my own personal experience.

You just had some major surgery on your digestive system. You need time to heal. Do not try to drink up to the amount the rest of us are required to drink. At 48 hours post-op I could not drink a cup of anything. Tiny sips over a long period of time was all I could do. I was only allowed ice cold liqiuds for the first 7 days. I believe it really helped the swelling go down.

As far as the feeling in your throat, I think that is very normal. For the first several months, that is where I also felt my full signal. At first feeling full is not a "belly fullness" it's a throat/chest thing.

Edited March 14, 2010 by Humming Bird

[TSurran 0]

I am trying to become more educated before my band as my doctor has some 'different' ideas then most it sounds. I have been reading all of this blogs and for some reason, I find comfort in the one I quoted here - "wouldnt trade my band for anything" - that gives me hope and happiness - while I am scared to death I almost feel like I found some friends - even though I know none of you - I sure with there was a support group around me somewhere =- anywhere.

Hi there, I was banded on 2/22/10 and for the first 4 days i lived with a heating pad on my belly. It really helped with the soreness and the gas. It really sounds like you are having gas pains. I had alot of discomfort the first few days when I drank something so my hubby called the dr, they suggested to take the extra strength gas-x, it worked like a charm. OH, and walk every hour atleast a lap around the house. Walking works the gas out. Take comfort in knowing that you are not alone and this will pass. Monday I will be 3 weeks post op, I feel fantastic and have lost almost 25lbs since surgery. I wouldn't give up my band for anything.

Good Luck and God Bless! :thumbup:

Emily

Banded 2/22/10 Houston, Tx