Healing....and am I paranoid?

[shizwiz 197]

Hola! I was sleeved on 1/16 and am one week post op.

The first few days after my surgery, whenever I drank something or had my broth or Soup, I could tell that I had enough (which was a very small amount) because my stomach would have a weird cramp-like sensation. It wasn't painful, but it felt like my stomach clenched and released. This would be after a few spoons of soup/broth or a couple drinks of liquid (right around 1/3 cup of liquid I would get the sensation). Then I would feel full and kind of like I had to burp. That was my que that I got used to.

However, it is now 1 week post op and I do not have that feeling after I eat my soups/broth or drink. I am sticking with the sips and my 1/3 cup servings, but I do not get that signal and I was even still hungry after my broth. I wanted to have more, but am terrified of bustin' a leak.

Is this normal? Is my stomach just healing and eating is less crampy? I kind of liked the cramp because I knew for sure that I reached my limit.

I hear of people overeating or drinking and getting ill, so I don't want that, either. And I reeeealllly don't want to strech out my new tiny stomach.

Am I just paranoid? Am I overthinking this?

[Pac-woman 325]

Hi there! No worries. First, measure you food. Even if it means eating out of a measuring cup until you get the hang of it. When you eat, since you have to eat slowly, pay attention to what is going on. Did it go down okay? Is it stuck in your esophogas? Your stomach will make funny noises and you can tell it is receiving the food. Believe me when I tell you, you will know when to stop. One second your eating the next second your going to look at your utensil and say, ugh. Enough.

The worries about stretching your stomach is premature. I think that comes later on, when we have adapted how to eat, we know what we can eat and what we can get away with. But if you keep measuring your food and sticking to the right amount and the right foods, you should have no issues.

I believe out of surgery the space in your tummy is 1-2 ounces. Then it increases to 3-4 ounces. I believe the max it will fit when your like 6 mths away is 1cup per sitting. Just to give you an idea.

[AvaFern 3,516]

Don't worry...as long as you are only drinking liquids, you won't stretch your stomach or bust a leak at only one week post-op. As long as you aren't getting sick, then you're just fine on how much you're "eating". If anything, it's good that you are able to consume a reasonable amount of liquid without an issue because some people have a hard time not getting dehydrated the first few weeks. Also, it is totally normal to be hungry right now- you've basically been on a liquid diet for a minimum of what, two weeks now? Anyone would be hungry, lol. You aren't going to hurt yourself by slowly drinking a bit more and if anything it might make you feel better. The stretching of the sleeve generally comes when you are eating real food, so not something you have to worry about yet.

Bottom line- don't worry, you're fine.

[shizwiz 197]

@@Pac-woman & AvaFern Thank you!!! I am now less/not paranoid Off to the next adventure!! Ya'll are awesome.

[Pac-woman 325]

@@shizwiz YOU GOT THIS!!!

[CheleLynn45 615]

I was worried in the beginning because I seemed to be able to tolerate anything I tried. I followed my docs orders pretty much to the letter. I was so afraid of being in pain.

I am now 12 weeks out and make sure to measure everything. I usually do about 2-3 oz of food at one time. Now certain foods (chicken, ground beef, etc) will make me full faster, and I can feel that fullness. I can pretty much tell when to stop and when NOT to take that one more bite. I have not gotten sick yet, thank God, but I have felt very full a few times and usually that is because I forgot to eat slowly. I feel it right between my breasts, ouch.

Hang in there it will get easier as you go along to figure things out. I sometimes joke with my husband when we eat out, I wish I had my food scale with me. But I can pretty much eyeball it now, and because we got out so infrequently I figure I am doing ok.

[shizwiz 197]

@@CheleLynn45 THANK YOU for that insight! I have heard from so many people saying that once I am off full liquids I will feel that full feeling, which is good. I am going to start measuring my drinks just to make sure I am not over-doing it. My NUT did call today and I asked her this question and she said that most post-op people have these same feelings. Wheeeew, I felt better after that.

Thanks again!!