5 Days Post-Op- Sick, Tingly, Hard to Swallow

[AvaFern 3,516]

I had my surgery Monday (9/9) and I woke up miserable. After spending 24 hours super sick, they realized the narcotics were contributing to the nausea, so that seemed to fix that a little bit. Despite this, ever since surgery I feel like I was hit by a bus. My incisions don't hurt, and I haven't needed any pain meds, but I feel awful. My feet and hands get tingly when I sleep, I can't choke down enough of the Protein shakes to get anywhere near the goal, but my biggest problem is that everytime I take a sip of anything I can feel the Water (or whatever) making its way down the entire length of my throat, chest, and stomach. It feels like it gets hung up a little at a few places, and it's almost painful at points.

Is this normal?

[BelindaK 11]

I had mine Saturday, so I'm less than a week out. Remember that you just had a big surgery with anesthesia. There is swelling inside where you can't see it. There may be gas/air built up inside your body (walking helps) and you've got anesthesia in your system. You were probaby intubated so your throat might hurt. Drink as much Water as you can (I know...it feels weird but mine is getting better by the day) and do some deep breathing to oxygenate your blood. And rest! This is all passed on to me by friends and it does seem to help.

Best of luck!

[AvaFern 3,516]

Thanks! I just feel like I'm gagging on everything. My doctor told me to take some prevacid and basically suck it up, so I guess we'll see how that goes, lol. I hope your recovery goes smoothly!

[Rdytolose 18]

I was sleeved on 9/9 too. Those first few days truly were awful. I read on someone's post that liquids go down much better if you are sitting up. I tried it and find it really works. Anytime I am laying and sipping, I get that weird painful lump in my chest.

[zachprice502 16]

I was sleeved on 9/10 and this swallowing sensation is really weird. liquid goes down air seems to come up. Is anyone else experiencing this?

[ldybzkt7 26]

I was sleeved on 9/9. I spent two days in the hospital before I came home. My first day home I felt like I could lift a car off the ground. Today....not so much. I felt ambitious and went to walk around Target and immediately regretted it. Panic set in and 8 felt so weak. I practically ran back to the car for fear of throwing up. My tubes from my drain are painful and I have the worst heartburn. Does anyone else get the wicked heartburn? It really is horrible. My dr suggested Mylanta and I just tried it. I am really hoping tomorrow is a better day. Today I laid on the couch and watched 90210 in between crying and sipping. My tongue still feels numb and I am super weak..but I'm not having trouble swallowing. Disappointed that I had such a great day followed by such a terrible day. I hope that your recovery is better tomorrow my friend. 9/9 club!

[BelindaK 11]

I was sleeved on 9/10 and this swallowing sensation is really weird. Liquid goes down air seems to come up. Is anyone else experiencing this?

That's exactly what's happening to me! LOL! Swallow...burp.

[zachprice502 16]

I was sleeved on 9/9. I spent two days in the hospital before I came home. My first day home I felt like I could lift a car off the ground. Today....not so much. I felt ambitious and went to walk around Target and immediately regretted it. Panic set in and 8 felt so weak. I practically ran back to the car for fear of throwing up. My tubes from my drain are painful and I have the worst heartburn. Does anyone else get the wicked heartburn? It really is horrible. My dr suggested Mylanta and I just tried it. I am really hoping tomorrow is a better day. Today I laid on the couch and watched 90210 in between crying and sipping. My tongue still feels numb and I am super weak..but I'm not having trouble swallowing. Disappointed that I had such a great day followed by such a terrible day. I hope that your recovery is better tomorrow my friend. 9/9 club!

I went walking in Target today. I felt kind of weak but that's only natural. Our bodies have been through a traumatic experience. Try to look past all the hard stuff and think about the benefits. I hope you have a great day tomorrow.

[AvaFern 3,516]

Thanks for the input everyone- I feel much less alone. I keep reading these stories of how people feel awesome the first week after surgery and I'm like....why do I not feel awesome!? I also feel weak and kind of wobbly and I can't seem to choke down the Protein shakes in anywhere near the amounts I'm supposed to. Swallowing still feels uncomfortable, but maybe that's just part of the deal for the first week or so.

I hope everyone starts feeling better soon!

[nyorker 67]

Sleeved 8/21 i feel great. I play with my kids now. Take Multivitamin chewables, B12 subliminal, carafate liquid ( prescription ) and 20mg omeprazole twice a day. And chocolate Calcium chewables from target. Dont like coffee anymore i drink green tea. Went to costco bought frozen fish in boxes. Filet and salmon. Kids love filet with keychup go figure. I only lost 27lbs but feel so different.

[Bethzy143 164]

I was sleeved on 9/10 and this swallowing sensation is really weird. Liquid goes down air seems to come up. Is anyone else experiencing this?

zachprice502 i was also sleeved on the 10th and i completely agree with the swallowing sensation liquid going down and air coming up is just weird, i just can't wait to feel better i too get that lumpy feeling at the top of my ribs and omg an excrutiating sharp chest pain sometimes but i think it has to do with gas uggghhh it sucks big time =(

[peachie86 63]

Unfortunately, I keloid and will not get a breast reduction for that reason. I will risk the keloids for the sleeve only.

[Mommas159 10]

Thanks for the input everyone- I feel much less alone. I keep reading these stories of how people feel awesome the first week after surgery and I'm like....why do I not feel awesome!? I also feel weak and kind of wobbly and I can't seem to choke down the Protein shakes in anywhere near the amounts I'm supposed to. Swallowing still feels uncomfortable' date=' but maybe that's just part of the deal for the first week or so.

I hope everyone starts feeling better soon! [/quote']

I was sleeved 8/28. My recovery was OK, but I wouldn't call it great. liquids were such a problem in the beginning. I was lucky to get down 1/2 a Protein shake and even then, that took me hours. I found I tolerated Water better if it was flavored with MIO or Crystal Light, or better yet, a splash of G2 Gatoraide. I also really like sugar free Popsicles. I even froze my 'left over' Protein Shakes and ate them as Popsicles. I was like that for the first 7-9 days, then, truly, it got easier. Day by day, sip by sip. Now, 18 days out, I am drinking two 30g Protein Shakes a day and drinking at least 62oz of Water, plus a few bites of an allowed meal. I wasn't sure, on day 4, that I would ever get here. Just keep trying new things, new ways, new textures and tempatures until you find something that feels less painful. Then stick with that for a few days and then try again.

Good luck!

[AvaFern 3,516]

I was sleeved 8/28. My recovery was OK, but I wouldn't call it great. Liquids were such a problem in the beginning. I was lucky to get down 1/2 a Protein shake and even then, that took me hours. I found I tolerated Water better if it was flavored with MIO or Crystal Light, or better yet, a splash of G2 Gatoraide. I also really like sugar free Popsicles. I even froze my 'left over' Protein shakes and ate them as Popsicles. I was like that for the first 7-9 days, then, truly, it got easier. Day by day, sip by sip. Now, 18 days out, I am drinking two 30g Protein Shakes a day and drinking at least 62oz of Water, plus a few bites of an allowed meal. I wasn't sure, on day 4, that I would ever get here. Just keep trying new things, new ways, new textures and tempatures until you find something that feels less painful. Then stick with that for a few days and then try again.

Good luck!

That makes me feel better- thank-you! I may try freezing the protein shakes, that sounds more tolerable than drinking them. I feel like the only thing doesn't make me miserable is flavored water. I'm at 7-days post-op so fingers crossed there is a light at the end of the tunnel!

[zachprice502 16]

I was able to get down 3oz of cream of chicken today and it was great. I am 5 days post-op and feeling pretty good. According to my scale I have lost 24lbs since the day of my surgery(9/10). Am I losing to fast? I can tell losing because my knees and back feel great.