Sleeved on Monday at UCLA

mking82 · June 9, 2011

Hey everyone! I'm new to the forum but have been estalking in the months up to my surgery which was Monday (6/6/11), I'm really impressed with the amount of information on here and everyone's experiences. I was sent home yesterday and they said I was doing remarkable well recovery wise. I'm 28 and started at 316 pounds. So I'm on day 4 (last day) of clear liquid diets (broth, Jello, water) and tomorrow I start full liquids until day 16 when I moved to pureed foods.

I feel good but have just two concerns. The first is pills. I have been crushing them up and taking them and the taste makes me so sick to my stomach that I end up swallowing a bunch of air to stop myself from throwing up, then I deal with gas pains for a half hour to get rid of that air. It's so bad that I've refused my wellbutrin and am just preparing myself for the withdrawal effects, the antacid I will force down because I can feel it helping and don't want to risk damaging the new pouch. My doctor said even though he doesn't like the idea of cold turkey he is thinking this surgery will get my off the wellbutrin eventually anyway. I have seen people that started taking pills the day after, 3 weeks out etc, on here. UCLA is strict and they say never unless under 9mm in size, but I know that isn't true for everyone as I've talked to many post-ops with the same surgeon that take all their pills now.

My second concern. I'm not too worried because the sleeve is so new, but did anyone else has mild discomfort when sipping the first few days? I wouldn't call it pain, but definitely tightness or discomfort when I drink my Water. I know the lemon crystal light in the hospital was the worst and I assumed it was the tartness, but with jello and water there is so definite tightness when I swallow, it does get better with baby sips, but I can still feel it. Did this happen to others and when did it go away? I am excited to see where my sleeve takes me and I dream of July when I can return to small portions of real food again, but am not willing to risk anything early...I've come this far!

Thanks fellow sleevers!

KellyL · June 9, 2011

Congrats on being sleeved!!! Glad you are doing well. I didn't have problems taking pills or the discomfort with swallowing, but I've seen both mentioned, so hopefully those people will speak up. I hope you have a speedy recovery!