Post Op & It Feels Like My Stomach Is Growling?!

[2bfit 62]

Hi all! I had surgery on the 28th. I am having feelings of being "hungry". Like a growling in the stomach. Is this normal? It literally feels like I am starving like I would be when I had a normal size stomach. Then when I drink fluids it feels like pressure going down and then I burp a bit. Am I not sipping slow enough?

I am trying to get my fluids in but the best seems to be the SF Popsicles and Decaf flavored tea. As for the incision site I was having some pain but the hospital sent me home with an abdomen binder which really helps. I am taking the Loratab and am trying to stay on top of the pain. Also, I still haven't had a BM (I know TMI) but is this normal? I am passing gas. I can't believe I just posted that but I want to make sure I am on the right track!

Other than that I am just hoping that I am doing this right. I hope you all have a happy new year! I will be ringing it in with chicken broth!

[MoonSiren 48]

Yes that's how I felt too but at week 2 when yo u can have full liquids such as Protein Drinks, it gets better.

[Indymom 132]

It may also be excess stomach acid. Did your surgeon prescribe a PPI (Nexium, omeprazole, Prilosec, etc.)? My surgeon requires me to take a PPI for a year. Excess acid/reflux can mimic the feelings of hunger.

The pressure when drinking is normal - just make sure to sip slowly. Enjoy passing that gas! You'll feel much better once it's all out of you.

I can't comment on not having a BM yet because I had issues in that area (unrelated to my surgery) - but I think a lot of people have posted that they were constipated for at least a few days following surgery. Also, you may find that your BMs are quite loose in the early weeks - liquid in, liquid out.

[Nicole76 1]

lol My belly is very loud to. Try an ant-Acid

[TheGerm 1]

Had surgery on the 16th of Dec. My stomach was noisy for the first week. It's calmed down a bit. Most people get constipated from the Narcotics and other drugs. I was for about 3-4 days. Best of luck.

[ProudGrammy 8,322]

Hi all! I had surgery on the 28th. I am having feelings of being "hungry". Like a growling in the stomach. Is this normal? It literally feels like I am starving like I would be when I had a normal size stomach. Then when I drink fluids it feels like pressure going down and then I burp a bit. Am I not sipping slow enough? I am trying to get my fluids in but the best seems to be the SF Popsicles and Decaf flavored tea. As for the incision site I was having some pain but the hospital sent me home with an abdomen binder which really helps. I am taking the Loratab and am trying to stay on top of the pain. Also, I still haven't had a BM (I know TMI) but is this normal? I am passing gas. I can't believe I just posted that but I want to make sure I am on the right track! Other than that I am just hoping that I am doing this right. I hope you all have a happy new year! I will be ringing it in with chicken broth!

hi all

i spent 2 wonderful nights in the hospital By the end of 2nd day, the nurse asked me if i had a bowel movement? I was thinking about saying yes, but i told the truth and said no, she said ok, tomorrow ( 6:00 am) you are going to have a suppository . Oh joy i know that due to all those pain meds you can have a problem in the bathroom. (just like you said JoyGerm ) BTW, if we can't talk about "bowel movements" amongst our family, who can we talk to '

I'll be toasting 2012 with my DH and a Protein shake.

kathy

[Kimmie-sleeve 34]

My doc also prescribes a PPI (protonix) so I haven't felt physically hungry since surgery (12/19). I was in the hospital until 12/21, and had my first bm the morning after I got home. I had some pumpkin puree mixed in with my sf cheesecake pudding, and I think that might have helped with the fiber... I had a couple of normal ones, and then some loose, but mostly normal since then... every day, or every other day. Ringing in the new year tonight with a shake and a smile (and my mom, son and wonderful hubby!)

Kimmie

[Foxbins 625]

I know that when I was newly sleeved I confused the "growling" with hunger, too, but it turned out that I was not really hungry, my stomach was just making noises that I associated with being hungry. It does it now, too, almost a year out. I agree, try Prilosec or Pepcid to see if that calms the growling down a little but it probably won't make it totally go away.

I didn't have a BM until 6 days post-op so I wouldn't worry just yet. You haven't had much to eat the past few days and it's unlikely there's much in there. If you are taking your Lortab regularly probably you should take a stool softener like docusate sodium just to counteract the narcotics and the fact that you aren't drinking much or getting much liquid from your food. Oh, and I burped everytime I took a sip of liquid for nearly a month. The kids next door thought I was a riot!

[2bfit 62]

Thank you for the suggestions! I will definitely try them all!