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In the beginning, Did you follow all the recomended precautions like the liquid diets a few weeks ahead and then clear liquids? I was instructed to follow a high protein/ low carb diet for two weeks before surgery, then all liquid Protein the week before (I had Water and shakes). Clear liquids were necessary the day before surgery. Did you do pre op and post op test? Did your dr. check over for leaks, if so when? I did the usual pre-op tests, like an EKG, urinalysis, blood panel. The post-op tests did include a barium swallow study, only because I was so nauseaus and had vomited in the hospital (no leaks found). I did have one test of my j-tube drainage to test for stomach acid, to be sure there were no leaks into my abdominal cavity. Did you follow the reccomended liquid diets after? and the blended solid diet there after? I followed a full liquid diet for two weeks. This mainly consisted of water, soups, and Protein shakes. I have advise for you - drink water! I became severely dehydrated and landed in the ICU two weeks post op with clots in my legs and lungs. After the two weeks, the first thing I ate was a few bites of baked potato. That was too thick..... the only things that have made me throw up since surgery (over 2 years ago) is rice, and fresh baked bread because they are too sticky and get stuck. I don't know if they would still get stuck, but after a couple times of that excruciating pain I don't want to try and find out! Did you pick up heavy things or over do it? No. The only thing I'd do differently is drink more water. When I got home, I could barely take anything in. My nausea was HORRIBLE and I probably only consumed about 4-5 oz/ day. Who was your Dr.? Dr. James Kemmerling in Green Bay, WI What kind of reaction did you have and how did you know something was wrong? Severe nausea was my worst immediate post-op complication. It took a lot of different meds to help with it and even then it was still bad. It lasted a couple weeks, and I never hope to experience it again. Also, like I mentioned I was dehydrated and got blood clots..... My eye sockets were sunken in, my legs hurt/cramped really bad, I was barely urinating, I was so lethargic/listless. Good luck! Teri

I've had things like rice or warm bread get stuck. It is the WORST feeling! I realize that I need to avoid them all together, and haven't eaten rice in almost two years. If I feel like something is getting stuck, my doc once said that some sips of soda will help - he said the carbonation might help break the food up and help it pass. However, when I feel like something is stuck, it is very hard for me to put more down there. Other times, if I do some stretching backwards and side to side that helps to get it moving. And of course when all else fails, there's only one way to get it out and it's not down....

I am 2 years post op. I had such severe nausea since immediately after surgery that lasted a few weeks. In the hospital, the nausea was so bad that when the wave came on, I couldn't move or talk. The nurses had to keep running in because my heart rate went dangerously high every time I got a wave of nausea. None of the oral or IV nausea meds worked. The only one that helped was a Compazine suppository, and they sent me home with some too. Luckily, it does go away. And the others are right; you need to stay hydrated. I got so dehydrated that at 2 weeks post op I was directly admitted to the ICU with DVT's and a massive saddle pulmonary embolism. Nothing to be messed with, 4 different doctors told me that when I passed out it should have been me dead and collapsing to the ground. Good luck to you!

I am 2 years post op and if I eat too much, I get pain in my left shoulder area. The only explanation I've ever been given is that when the stomach is full, the esophageal sphincter begins to expand a little and this is connected to a nerve that causes the pain in your shoulder. The shoulder discomfort is a sure sign that I need to stop eating; however, sometimes I have a very delayed (like 20 minutes) response and by then, it's too late.

Hi Bonnielass, It took time for me to be able to drink more. Every day I was able to drink a little more. Looking back, I think I should have been more persistent with making myself drink. I was so focused on getting in my 4 oz Protein shake that that is basically all I drank. It took me an hour to drink two ounces! I was scared to drink any more for fear I would bust something open, I think. Maybe I could have forced myself to drink more, but I'm not sure about that..... I had terrible bouts of nausea for the first few weeks after surgery and what I could get in was, I felt, all I could get in. And my doc was right, the part of my stomach that told me I was hungry was not there any more and therefore I wasn't hungry (or even thirsty for that matter) so I guess I just didn't even think about drinking. Today I am able to eat anything (is that what you were asking?). Post op I was only on Protein shakes and strained Soups for two weeks. After the two weeks, I was able to eat anything I wanted.... boy it was so weird for me. Literally, I could only eat 5 bites of cream of wheat and I was DONE. I actually was in the ICU the day after I could start eating, and I remember them sending me an entire tray of food and only 3-4 bites got eaten (I'm kind of surprised they didn't realize I didn't need all that food?). The only things I avoid right now is rice and couscous. I had 2 bad experiences with them... Come to find out the little bit I ate obstructed and I didn't feel better until I threw up. The couscous was the worst; I thought I would need to go to the hospital because even after throwing up the bad pain was still there. Good luck with your surgery! Ask your doctor what your goal should be for liquid intake, and I hope you do well with meeting/ exceeding that goal! My daughter turns 16 on that day... oh boy. Teri

Yes.... I went home and wasn't able to drink more than 5 oz per day because everything filled me up so easily. I should also mention that possibly inactivity as well as the decreased Water intake could have contributed to it all. I was getting up every couple hours, so I didn't think it was a problem. One doctor said he couldn't rule out a "clotting disorder", but I have no family history of this. I am seeing a hematologist on the 26th to determine if I have a clotting disorder or not... I'm sure I don't, but at least this will rule out the "what if" factor. My bariatric surgeon said that now, moving forward, he is educating all sleeve patients the importance of adequate Fluid intake.

I had the sleeve 12/18/09. On 1/2/10 I was directly admitted to the ICU with bilateral DVT's and a massive pulmonary embolism.... Four doctors told me that when I passed out at home, it should have been me collapsing because I was DEAD.... Six months later, I'm on blood thinners (for life, because the IVC filter I had put in on 1/2/10 was not able to be retrieved in March due to it growing into my vein wall). If there is ONE THING I can advise to people, is to DRINK, DRINK, DRINK! I went from being overhydrated on IV fluids post-op, to about only 5 oz intake per day at home. I should have seen it coming (as a nurse), but rationalized all my symptoms to make myself think that I was ok..... sunken in eyes, little urine output, pain in the back of my leg, and a fast heartbeat. To all future sleevers, please take my advice. I'm glad to be alive to give it... Teri