Hey everyone! I'm new to the forum but have been estalking in the months up to my surgery which was Monday (6/6/11), I'm really impressed with the amount of information on here and everyone's experiences. I was sent home yesterday and they said I was doing remarkable well recovery wise. I'm 28 and started at 316 pounds. So I'm on day 4 (last day) of clear liquid diets (broth, Jello, water) and tomorrow I start full liquids until day 16 when I moved to pureed foods.

I feel good but have just two concerns. The first is pills. I have been crushing them up and taking them and the taste makes me so sick to my stomach that I end up swallowing a bunch of air to stop myself from throwing up, then I deal with gas pains for a half hour to get rid of that air. It's so bad that I've refused my wellbutrin and am just preparing myself for the withdrawal effects, the antacid I will force down because I can feel it helping and don't want to risk damaging the new pouch. My doctor said even though he doesn't like the idea of cold turkey he is thinking this surgery will get my off the wellbutrin eventually anyway. I have seen people that started taking pills the day after, 3 weeks out etc, on here. UCLA is strict and they say never unless under 9mm in size, but I know that isn't true for everyone as I've talked to many post-ops with the same surgeon that take all their pills now.

My second concern. I'm not too worried because the sleeve is so new, but did anyone else has mild discomfort when sipping the first few days? I wouldn't call it pain, but definitely tightness or discomfort when I drink my Water. I know the lemon crystal light in the hospital was the worst and I assumed it was the tartness, but with jello and water there is so definite tightness when I swallow, it does get better with baby sips, but I can still feel it. Did this happen to others and when did it go away? I am excited to see where my sleeve takes me and I dream of July when I can return to small portions of real food again, but am not willing to risk anything early...I've come this far!

Thanks fellow sleevers!

Congrats on your surgery. I was sleeved 6/7/11 and also started full liquids today. I had a Protein shake this morning followed by 8-12 oz of Water in the hours after that and another shake around 3pm. So far I've gotten 54 of my 60grams of protein in for the day so I'm concentrating on my water.

I never really had issues with drinking, just sipped and it went down. I pretty much can take a 2oz drink or close to it and it goes down fine now. My doc said to shoot the 2oz at once and you'll feel a tightness in your chest which is actually saying your full and then as it subsides the stomach is emptying. It's helped me, although it's hard to drink when you're not hungry or thirsty. Oh well...I'll just keep at it.

As far as pills, my doc also said ok to swallow anything that was as small or smaller than a pencil eraser. If it's bigger either crush it (yuck) or cut it to eraser size and then take it. I've taken my antacids since Thursday and my "happy" pills since yesterday and have had no issues. Of course, check with your doc since everyone is different but it's worked for me.

Look forward to seeing you progress. Good luck!

Kim

That's tough with the pills. I had a dissolvable acid reducer when I came home from surgery, but I hear it is only available in Mexico. I also had chewable tylenol, just in case I needed it. I didn't start Vitamins until the 2nd week and, when I did, I was taking a chewable Vitamin.

My throat was really scratchy and felt weird for at least a week or 2. I think it was the tube in the throat and some night-time acid that was keeping it raw.

Keep pursuing alternatives on the pills with your doctor. Also, you live in LA, it might be worthwile for you to drive down to San Diego and take a quick walk over the border to pick up some Nexium MUPS which dissolves in Water. I'll admit, after the 2nd week I wanted to gag on the dissolved tablets, but it worked and it was easy on my new stomach. I started "real" pills after 4 weeks, per my surgeons instruction.

Mking I had the same problem. I could not swallow for days after so they kept me in the hospital. The irritation was due to the throat tube. For me it was a little painful and I struggled swallowing everything. I have to tell you the pain does eventually go away. I am three weeks post of and that is one things I do not worry with any more. Now the gas is still here and I swear I feel it will never go away. I am taking the medicines the dr has perscribed and I have to say its getting better but still the worse gas I have ever had. I am still new at this but it will get better. I know everyone says this but it does.