I am having a hard time drinking liquids, even a teaspoon at a time. I get a bad pressure/pain like I have to burp but the air can't come up. Also it hurts to breathe deeply and all the pain is in the same location just at the end of my breast bone. My doc thinks it might be swelling.

Did anyone else go through this the first week after surgery?

I didn't go through that. Everything stayed down just fine until I started getting fills. However, I think your doc. is right. Surgery probably caused swelling. Take it easy and try to get some fluids in. You don't want to get dehydrated. It will get better!

Hi:

In my experience (banded twice) I found that sugar free popsicles did the trick for me to get fluids down when I was still swollen. Also, warm tea went down better than anything cold.

Best wishes to you newbie!

Sue

I had that feeling as well and I used the ice pack that they gave me and kept in on my stomach for the first week after surgery anytime that I started to feel any discomfort. It wasn't so much pain as it was discomfort. Continue with the small sips and try hot instead of cold, it may go down better! Good luck!!! :smile:

I will be trying ice packs and pops today. Last night I did notice that since my incision pain has lessened that laying flat on my back makes all that pressure and pain disappear. I can breath without pain and effort. I am still going slow and steady on my liquids. I am grateful that I can get them down, it just hurts like the dickens to swallow anything and it takes an effort of courage to go ahead and take sips of anything.

The great news is that I am down 8 pounds since Tuesday. My hydration levels are normal (according to my scale) and I am getting lots (75g or more a day) of Protein. I am not hungry and the smell of real food makes me a little nauseous still.

I had decided to take a shower (48 hours after surgery) and as I was removing my bandages that were over my steri-strips, one of them came up. The nurse said to use some butterfly bandages and to stay out of the shower. I really want to shower!

I was fine with the pain and discomfort until today. I expected pain and discomfort, but really expected to not be able to feel the band pressing on stuff inside me. I really want this sensation to go away. If I didn't feel this I would be sore, but very happy.