Advice needed...feeling the hunger!?!?!

[sys81 12]

Just had my sleeve on 9/20 & the next day I couldn't drink at all. Now it seems like I can drink so much and I feel like this isn't normal. I am worried that I'm stretching my stomach to quickly. I am worried!

[Justinh125 472]

Please don't worry! I had the exact same experience a few days after my surgery. Fluids will go right past the valve at the bottom of your stomach, so they just go right into your intestines. Therefore, you won't feel particularly full just drinking fluids. Sure, it's extremely important and necessary as your sleeve is healing. But it's only been a few days, and your new stomach is still healing...I can assure you 100% that no "stretching" is happening at this point.

As soon as you start with more solid food, you'll find that the feeling of "full" comes right back, and you won't be able to eat all you want, even if you can drink more Fluid than you might expect. It's largely a matter of the valve at the bottom of the stomach.

[sys81 12]

Thank you much. I know it is silly but I'm about to cry. Your words help me and thank you!

[Justinh125 472]

Not silly to be worried. It's normal. This is all new, and it will take time to get used to these different sensations. If anything, it's a good thing that fluids move well--it probably means there's not excessive swelling and clearly the path from esophagus to sleeve to intestine isn't obstructed. That's good, you want things to move in that order.

For the first few months after surgery, and especially the first few weeks, your sleeve is going to be swollen and your body is going to be working on healing it, and forming scar tissue around the staple line. For most, this reduces the volume of solid food you can eat (once you get there.) Over time, the swelling goes down and you can have a bit more. But fluids pass very quickly, and there's no way to "stretch" your sleeve out this early in the process.

As my doc. explained when I was noticing how easily fluids went down, he said that some patients do so well with fluids that they tell him they think he "forgot to do the surgery." I was wondering that myself until I was allowed to eat solid foods. I promise, once you switch to solid foods, you'll quickly learn that there's not much room in your sleeve.

If anything, that you can get fluids down well is a good sign that there's no stricture for the time being, and that's healthy. Just keep following your doctor's advice and recommendations, and I'm sure you'll be fine.

[kasiesalas 12]

It's normal. I can drink like no other and my dr said it won't stretch your stomach. Your stomach will stretch if you deliberately overeat. And it takes years to. Thats what my dr told me anyways.

[Justinh125 472]

It's normal. I can drink like no other and my dr said it won't stretch your stomach. Your stomach will stretch if you deliberately overeat. And it takes years to. Thats what my dr told me anyways.

Yep, it would be a very slow, very gradual process. And even then, your stomach will never get back to full size. Not even close.

[sys81 12]

Omg thanks to the two of you. I seriously felt like that... but I didn't want to say it out loud. I truly felt like I had my regular stomach and I thought it was just me. Thanks so much for the support!

[Justinh125 472]

Omg thanks to the two of you. I seriously felt like that... but I didn't want to say it out loud. I truly felt like I had my regular stomach and I thought it was just me. Thanks so much for the support!

That's what makes forums like this great. We can come on here and ask honest questions and get honest answers from others who have experienced the same thing. According to my doctor, one of the most common things he hears while people are on the liquid diet is, "you forgot to do the surgery!" He says his concern at that point is the people will start eating solid food before their stomach is ready.

I wasn't concerned after hearing that, and sure enough, once I was allowed to eat solid food, I realized that he most certainly did the surgery, and I can see the results when I tighten my belt buckle.

[sys81 12]

I'm glad , after debating to post it, That I did. You've really helped and this is a fantastic forum! I'm glad for your response and honesty!

[Justinh125 472]

I'm glad , after debating to post it, That I did. You've really helped and this is a fantastic forum! I'm glad for your response and honesty!

Don't ever hesitate to post on here. Lots of people are happy to share their experience with you!!! Chances are, if you've experienced it, someone else has too.

[Macy6 356]

I know they all have said it but I have been able to drink Water from very early on in unlimited supply.

[sys81 12]

Thank you! !!!!

[Gojogo 55]

Glad you asked this as I was rather worried that I could drink lot's. Thanks :-) helped me as well!