New To This

[nixi 38]

To anyone out there who reads this. I just had sleeve surgery on friday so i believe today is my 4th day post op. I'm on a clear liquid diet so far which i'm doing well with so far but everytime i swallow i feel a weird sensation in my chest. Has anyone else experienced this? And also theres one stitch thats sore so i can only sleep on my back.

It would be great if someone could send me some positive notes on how they felt after surgery and how long recovery took.

[Shemy-away 83]

What you are going through is totally normal!! I'm 2 weeks post op today so its still fresh in my mind. Just 2 days ago I was able to sleep on my side again and I still have a little bit of incisional pain. The weird sensation in your chest is from the swelling in your stomach. Take it easy and give the fluids at leas a minute to get through the opening before sipping again. This will go away as the swelling in your stomach subsides. I'm much better now at getting fluids in, although I have to remember to go slow. Congratulations by the way!!

[emily_0192010 168]

I also agree that that "weird feeling in your chest" is your stomach! Right now it is swollen and uncomfortable, but try to remember where you are feeling it, because it will help you learn your new stomach later on

congrats on being sleeved and welcome to the loser's bench by the way!

I promise it gets easier and easier from this point on.

Many people can only sleep on their back, but have you tried the side opposite of the sore stitch? And since it is sore, just make sure you watch for any signs of infection.

In the meantime, relax and enjoy the beginning of this amazing journey!

[Jesusislove 26]

Hi, this is normal, as others have said, it gets easier as the days go by.

[hope2Bfitand40 37]

I am two weeks post op, and I am still using a pillow to support me when I sleep on my side. It really helps, but honestly, I was about 6 days out before I could lay comfortably in any position. At day 6, though, it was like a light switch and I started feeling better all around.

Hang in there!

[nixi 38]

Thanks guys its great to know that theres this great support network out there. I cant wait to start wearing smaller sizes and getting noticed instead of always being the bigger bubblier girl.

[Dooter 1,457]

I hammer on this a LOT on here: WALKING will help you feel better faster!! People who do their hourly lap faithfully report feeling great 2 weeks out! You will daily notice nice improvements if you are good about walking. Keep using your spirometer too! You know about drinking, so I won't even go there

OH, and when you do feel like you can sleep on your side...put a pillow under your belly. Helps a lot. Go get 'em!!

[nixi 38]

@ Dooter whats a spirometer? I had my surgery in delhi, india and dont believe i have one and as im from kenya where i dont believe there is a doctor performing such surgery it wont be available. But walking i can do. Been doing lots from day 2 post op. How long do u walk for?

[Dooter 1,457]

The incentive spirometer is a little device they give you to help you take really deep breaths to prevent you from getting pneumonia and it also oxygenates your blood and helps get the anesthesia out of your system. If you don't have one, just take ten really deep breaths once an hour.

That first week I was walking for maybe ten minutes. I was in a hotel, so I'd walk from one end of the hallway to the other 3 or 4 times. Or as long as I could. I was told that within 2 months I should be walking an hour a day. (i'm still working on that )

[nixi 38]

Oh ok i have one of those but only use it once a day. I'll start making better use of it. Thanks a lot for the prompt reply.