Hello All,

I had my sleeve just last week on Wednesday (October 19th). Yesterday and today I have found that I have had a lot of pain right in my sternum. I am following my liquid diet requirements to a T, taking small sips and ensuring I don't take in too much at once. Is this pain just the stomach healing? I am still taking pain medication a few times a day for it, but I am still quite uncomfortable.

Any advice?

I had this for several days. It would happen if I either took too large of a sip or I drank too fast. Each day it is better and I can drink a little more normally.

It is likely one of two possible things, referred pain or pain from irritation of nerves due to the CO2 used during the operation.

Referred pain is sort of a phantom pain, the internal organs are largely devoid of regulr pain receptors, so when they get irritated the "borrow" pain receptors from other areas of the body, usually those closer to the surface.

The gas used to bloat up the body and give the surgeon more room to work can sometimes irritate the nerves running through the abdomen, this pain usually presents as a throbbing or sever ache.

Unfortunately the only "fix" for either of these issues is just time, since neither of them can really be addressed with pain killers, as the "pain" is not really there.

If it persists then see your doc, if it becomes sever then go IMMEDIATELY to an ER.

I had mine on the 19th too and I have the same problem... it's too big a bite/swallow or one too soon after. My pain comes from the shoulders too, which is weird.