Newly Sleeved As Of 12/28/2011, Some Concerns

[Biggie 3]

Hello eveyone, new here. I had my sleeve done on 12/28/2011. Feeling lots of soreness and pain mainly on the left side of my belly. Doctor prescribed nexium for heartburn just in case but ever since then I've developed lots of belly gas. It's quite bothersome. Anyone else on the same boat? Also I'm not sure how much I'm supposed to drink in one sitting. I'm so afraid of overdoing it and throwing up that I don't think I'm taking in enough liquid. When I do drink liquids I can't tell if the pain is just from the stomach coming into contact with it or if it's that I'm full. Sorry for being such a noob

[RosieSweetie 40]

Don't worry- the pain will go away. I was sleeved on 12/13- Dr gave me loratab for the pain- also you can use liquid Tylenol (CVS also has a liquid acetaminophen if you can't get liquid Tylenol). I also used Gas-x strips, which I think helped. A heating pad can help too. The first few days are the worst. Try to get as much liquid in as possible- I found it was easier to drink warm or room temp liquids (I use zero cal Powerade stuff and chicken/beef bouillon also, crystal lite with a vial of Protein in it- and then just sip slowly. The most important thing is to avoid dehydration (If you get dehydrated you will feel weak and may need to go to the ER-with a copay!) As time passes, you will be able to drink more and you will be more comfortable. Good luck & hang in there- (It will be worth it) -Rosie

[2bfit 62]

Big Rick, I was also sleeved on 12-28! Congrats to both of us for taking the plunge! I am at home now and am experiencing the pain as well. I am on liquid Loratab and am living on chewable Gas X. I find that the more I walk around the better the gas comes up. Other than that I am sore on the left side where the drain was. I bought measured cups before the surgery and know that I need at least 48 oz of Fluid so I am sipping slowly and keeping track as best as I can. Find something that doesn't sit to heavy. Right now I am loving the Crystal Light Cherry Limeaid. Keep your chin up. I hope it's gets better for both of us!

[Biggie 3]

Thank you Rosie and 2bfit for the replies. I do have little messure cups I can use to guide my liquid in take but I'm just afraid to overdue it. I will try to use Gas-X and see if that's any better. I've never had heartburn before and this is the first time taking nexium.

[Lisa :) 231]

Walk, walk, walk!!!! It really will help with the gas pains and will speed your recovery!! I think I lived on SF popsicles in the first few days after being sleeved to get my fluids in. Hang in there....it gets better. Oh and the pain on the left side is probably where your stomach was removed. I had an internal stitch that bothered me up until about the end of week two.

Good Luck!!!!

[GonnaBHotMama 18]

Hey there and Congrats! I havent had my surgery yet, but from what I have read on Fluid intake, it's usually baby sips over time. I dont think there is any set amount you have to drink at one sitting, just make sure they are small sips and that you get that fluid in! Good Luck and I hope you have awesome results!

[smallgirlsxthree 23]

Congrats on your new sleeve!! You're going through the worst part now, after the hospital and before "normal" starts. I had a big sports bottle with measurements on it so I could break it down (I have to drink at least 50 ounces in 8 hours, so I have to get in 6 1/2 ounces an hour, an 1 1/4 every 15 minutes...and so on) You aren't really going to over do it and drink too much, your new tummy will stop you. I had problems with my outlet being really swollen for about a week after surgery, so stuff wasn't going through very fast. If it doesn't go through, you will "burp" it up a little bit. I didn't puke at all. I didn't drink enough the second week and had a raging UTI and was soooo dehyrated. I still have to make a conscious effort to drink and drink and I'm 2 1/2 months out now. I buy the cases of bottled Water now and don't even put them in the fridge so they are room temp. The burping and gas pains are best relieved with the heating pad, I was in love with it after a while!! I had a sore spot on my right side-in the spot where they took my extra stomach out- that was so sore for almost a month. It all goes away after a while, so keep plugging along!! Good luck and happy losing!

[Biggie 3]

Thanks for the advice. I agree with walking more. It actually hurts less when I walk rather than sit. I still feel pain in my stomach. I can't tell if its from being full or from being hungry. Such a bizarre feeling.

[thebionicbroad 127]

Hey Biggie,

Welcome to the forum. The first 5 days, I was convinced that I had made a mistake. I hurt (gall bladder came out, too), I felt like a balloon, and I was scared to drink too much. I had a real turn-around at day 8, and I've felt great ever since.

Gas-X, lots of walking, and I don't measure my Water. I drink to keep my urine clear or very pale. Probably TMI, but it works for me.