Pain eating after surgery?

[LisaM 3]

So I am officially sleeved as of Monday, the 8th. I've never had any surgery except when I was two, so it was a surreal experience to say the least.

However, I'm having issues eating or drinking right now. I take very small sips and small bites of soft food and it hurts when it reaches my sleeve. It feels like a ball in my chest, like I'm having a painful contraction as it goes down. Is this normal? How long does it take for this to go away? It's very uncomfortable, it almost makes me dread eating anything.

Thanks for any thoughts!

[kwikwits 20]

So I am officially sleeved as of Monday, the 8th. I've never had any surgery except when I was two, so it was a surreal experience to say the least.

However, I'm having issues eating or drinking right now. I take very small sips and small bites of soft food and it hurts when it reaches my sleeve. It feels like a ball in my chest, like I'm having a painful contraction as it goes down. Is this normal? How long does it take for this to go away? It's very uncomfortable, it almost makes me dread eating anything.

Thanks for any thoughts!

I am sympathetic to your discomfort. Immediately after surgery and then again even one to two months post surgery I was having a lot of pain, nausea etc from eating. Here is what I did and it seems to have worked for me. Check with your surgeon, nutritionist etc.

First 6 weeks I just drank Protein shakes, sucked on ice pops, ate sugar free Jello. That was all I could tolerate without feeling awful. Remember they removed 85% of your stomach and you have a long staple line that needs to heal. Other people may be able to eat soft foods etc BUT I COULDN'T EAT ANYTHING THAT WASN'T liquid (SHAKES), FROZEN Water (ICE POPS) OR THICK Water THAT COULD DISSOLVE IN MY MOUTH.

Stop trying to rush eating. You will get there and have less issues if you just move very, very slowly. I am 10 weeks out of surgery (sleeved on 6/1/11) and still do best with broth, sashimi (rice and seaweed are hard for me), cooked fish, tofu, poached eggs, hard boiled egg yolks, soft cheeses in little bites. I still get sick from egg salad with lots of mayo and tuna salad etc. Those people who claim to eat a steak days after surgery are either not telling the truth or they stuck the steak in the blender. Oh, after you get totally crazy from the sweet shakes, try marinara sauces, cottage or ricotta cheese, and some melted mozzarella cheese together. GO SLOWLY -- EVEN SOFT food TAKES UP MORE SPACE THAN liquid FOOD.

Be patient. You will heal and unswell. You had major surgery -- drink the liquid Protein Shakes. Food will come when your stomach is ready. Your mouth doesn't call the shots anymore.

I am down 60 pounds from my heaviest weight, 50 pounds from my surgical weigh in, and 31 pounds from the day I was sleeved. I don't huff and puff when I walk. I have enormous amounts of energy and for the first time in years my cholesterol is below 200.

Please know you will be able to eat more soon. Hang in there.

[Silverlining 2]

Congrats for getting sleeved and taking a step towards a brand new life. Yes, eating and drinking issues are very normal. Eating was not allowed to me (I got sleeved on 15th July) for a fortnight, after that I started with semi-solids... Yes, initially for about 10 days you will feel pain in chest even while sipping liquids.... This will go off eventually after 15 days. But do not try to eat anything yet.

I also felt miserable and very bad with so many things... but now after one month I am much at ease... can eat some things and drink plenty of Fluid. Keep your calm and courage.. yes, first month is a bit tough but its worth it...

Take care and wish you a speedy recovery. Remember to take your Vitamins daily.

[Making a Difference 0]

So I am officially sleeved as of Monday, the 8th. I've never had any surgery except when I was two, so it was a surreal experience to say the least.

However, I'm having issues eating or drinking right now. I take very small sips and small bites of soft food and it hurts when it reaches my sleeve. It feels like a ball in my chest, like I'm having a painful contraction as it goes down. Is this normal? How long does it take for this to go away? It's very uncomfortable, it almost makes me dread eating anything.

Thanks for any thoughts!

I just was sleeved Tuesday the 9th. Mr doctor said liquid only for the next 30 days. I am using 4 oz of Boost with ice blended and sip until gone. I also can have a half of a yougert and all the Jello I can stand. I haven't had any problems except going to quick and develope chest gas which goes away in a few minites. Good luck ...

[Papa Jack 86]

You should not be eating soft food yet. You should just be drinking. Drink slow. Just sip wait about 2 minutes & sip again. You are 2 weeks away from soft food. Getting in enough liquid will be tough for now because your stomach is still swollen. Work on 1oz of Protein Shake at a time. Get a medicine 1 oz cup. Also take stool softer. It will make going easier.

[LisaM 3]

Thanks for the advice. The soft food I'm referring to is in the form of applesauce, cream of rice/wheat, creamy Soup. I think I'm going to find some good shakes for now.