Four Days Post Op - The "is this normal" questions

[RozzieJ 18]

Hello everyone

I'm a Day 4 Post Op Sleever from Down Under and I had some queries that I figured you would all be best at answering.

My surgery was last Wednesday, 22 October and was a complete success. I was out of hospital on Friday and have very little pain from my incisions. My greatest amount of pain is from my IV site which hurts like a complete mudda four days on!! I have no idea what they jambed down that needle, but holy God, it's done some damage!!!

Now, I've got all my information of how I should be eating from the dietician. I am currently on a full liquid diet and can consume anything that can be sucked through a straw. Each day, I increase my quantities in ten milligram increments until I reach 100ml which is where I'll stay.

I've been very careful about not inhaling liquids too fast or having anything too thick, but I'm finding no troubles at all with what I'm doing thus far. I measure out my amounts and I eat my Soups or drinks using a spoon and always make sure that one spoon sip is taken and swallowed down before I embark on the next one. What I'm struggling with is that I don't seem to have any problems with my liquids. I don't get the feeling I'm too full or that I've drunk too quickly or anything. And this will sound strange to ask, but is that normal???? I'd have thought I'd have some issues at some point. Albeit, I'm not pushing the envelope here - I think down my liquids and can take regular sips without problem

My only side effect I seem to get is gas - a joyously happy sensation where I end up trying to mimic a mother rocking a baby, in the hopes that the wretched air bubbles come up.

So from everyone's experiences here, am I sounding like I'm doing ok?? Should I be feeling like I can't take in the designated mills that my dietician has advised?? I certainly have had no nausea and every day I feel better and better with little tiredness. I'm thinking I'm doing something wrong!!!

That said, I am losing weight. Since surgery, I've come down about 3-4kgs. I'm just worried that I'm doing something amiss and will bugger up my new tummy and make it too big.

So please forgive the early day paranoia talking, but would love to hear everyone's opinions/advice.

Thanks kindly

RozzieJ

[Bufflehead 6,358]

You are doing great. Lack of restriction with liquids is very normal. Liquids go right through your pyloric valve. Some people struggle to get liquids in at first, but that's because their stomachs are so swollen and bruised. If you are not having that problem, congrats -- you have a skilled surgeon who did meticulous work and you have a body that heals well

You will feel restriction when you move on to solid foods, I promise!

Keep following your plan with respect to how much to eat/drink and how fast. You will have lots of success.

[RozzieJ 18]

Haha! thanks for the heads up re solids!!!! I do think I've been very lucky. I have to remind myself to be careful as I really have very little discomfit.

One other thing I forgot to throw out there as well - hunger sensations. Is it really hunger or the stomach acids I've heard about? I seem to always feel some hunger but not desiring to eat. It's a confusing sensation!!!

Thank you for your comments. I really appreciate it. It's a whole new world for me at the moment and I certainly don't want to bugger anything up!!!

[KarenF1972 78]

I've had some of that sensation also where I know I can't be hungry but feel like I am. A lot of it for me is the "head hunger", meaning someone else is eating something or it's at a time I would usually eat/snack so my body thinks I should be eating. I just try to talk myself out of it. Sounds like you are doing great!

[BeagleLover 1,020]

Haha! thanks for the heads up re solids!!!! I do think I've been very lucky. I have to remind myself to be careful as I really have very little discomfit.

One other thing I forgot to throw out there as well - hunger sensations. Is it really hunger or the stomach acids I've heard about? I seem to always feel some hunger but not desiring to eat. It's a confusing sensation!!!

Thank you for your comments. I really appreciate it. It's a whole new world for me at the moment and I certainly don't want to bugger anything up!!!

I was sleeved on Sept. 26th. My surgeon prescribed Protonix for 1st thing in the morning to minimize the amount of stomach acid produced. That helps the stomach heal quicker.