POsy surgery help

April 18, 2005

Am I feeling right? I was banded on Fri 15th and I am feeling some pain still, what I feel is major heartburn? Like every thing is up top? Is this right? Does anything help?

DeLarla · April 18, 2005

I've heard several people complain about heartburn. Doctors often prescribe some type of antacid. You should ask your surgeon.

As far as feeling bad after only a few days, that's totally normal. Some of us take longer to heal, so give yourself a couple weeks before you expect to feel great again.

Alexandra · April 19, 2005

Ann, yep, lots of people feel discomfort in the banded regions for days after surgery. How are you doing with drinking? You're probably still on liquids now, I'd imagine, so is it the liquids that are giving you trouble?

It's hard to say with any certainty. It might be heartburn but it might also just be the sensation of restriction that you're not familiar with. As time passes it will either fade as your swelling goes down, or you'll become used to it and won't notice it anymore (depending on what is causing it).

Feel2Young2B40 · April 19, 2005

Hi! I had that same issue on liquids. It always felt like I had something stuck even though I was staying within my liquid allotment of 4oz. My doctor said I was a "gulper". Meaning, I gulped air in with my liquids as I drank. He suggested I keep my tongue at the top of my mouth when I swallowed. BOY, did it help! I didn't even realize I was swallowing air. I noticed when I went back to solids that I did the same thing so I need to be very careful when eating or drinking. If I am careful - no problems. The moment I forget it starts all over again!

Good luck and make sure you don't use a straw either. You bring in too much air with them! Take care and keep us updated. Laura

the best me · April 19, 2005

From my experience, the sensation of restiction is a little uncomfortable, or tight, but heartburn HURTS, I guess it's the reflux, the liquid going up into the esophogus since it can't go down fast enough. BE CAREFUL and sloooow down. And when you slow down, slow down some more. I have taken up the habit of taking a sip, and swallowing it in 2-4 swallows, so not all of my sip makes it down at once. That seems to help me.

I have seen on an Upper GI screen a live picture X-ray of my stomach ABOVE the band squeezing the liquid up into my esophogus. Take it easy and cut out anything acidic (coffee, Tomato juice, V-8, whatever you might be drinking) and that should help with any irritation from refux, if that's what you have. My Dr also said take Prilosec, crushed in juice. But check with you doc for instructions. Good Luck!