I'm one week post op lap band surgery. These last couple of days I have been feeling uncomfortable. I am not sure if it is still gas or something else. for example, this morning I had 1 cup of Water 2 hrs later I had a 8oz shake. I feel pressure on my chest as if I need to burp? my nose got a little runny? I'm not sure what this all means, but it is very uncomfortable. Am I drinking too fast? thanks guys. I thought fluids just went through?

They go through as long as the stoma(hole) is open? Sometimes even the stoma can swell shut from all the trauma from surgery. And, your lower stomach can swell making it difficult to eat and drink much. If you're on pain meds, the sphincter from your stomach to the small intestine can misbehave causing food and drink to remain in your stomach for many hours.

If your pouch were stuck, you would only be able to drink 1 or 2 ozs before an intense pressure and pain would cause you to stop. You should be sipping all liquids slowly and if you're taking pain meds, you might want to stop or take fewer pills? Have you had a BM yet?

I had trouble with shakes post-op and still do if I try one in the morning or after a fill, etc. We are all so different but then we find these things in common. When it was time for me to have full liquids I did fine with potato leek soup but not a protein shake. This is such an individualized experience. You will find your way at your pace, and that will have a lot to do with the noticing that you're doing now. It's all about the esophagus squeezing and sending signals to the brain. With the band, we slow down and let that happen, then miraculously we find satiety. Okay, not a Miracle but science and to me it is amazing. You are doing beautifully and you will get this! It takes a bit of time so just work with your doctor, keep on it and you will go through the stages and find your green zone. It's an amazing thing to have the appetite shut down and to be able to make good choices. Listen to your body.

I got "stuck" on protien shakes 5 days out...it was painful... I must have been really swollen. My surgeon told me it was normal to swell the most 4-6 days out from surgery. I just had a fill yesterday and am swollen again... Nothing has gotten stuck like before, thank goodness. Just sip slowly...try a warm tea. Warm liquids seem to help.

Thank you all for all your help. The pain went away about 5p. I've only had 1/4 c yogurt and feel fine. 2muchfun, I did start a new multi Vitamin gummie today? I might just try a liquid vitamin. Thank you everyone. I appreciate all your comments.

I have never gotten "Stuck" with liquids in the true definition...but I have, and still do, experience unpleasant results if I drink too much too fast, not giving the liquids time enough to "Circle the drain" (growling-gurgleing)

Think of a funnel with a wide opening up top, then narrowing down....pour Water in slow and steady, no problem...pour water in too fast and what happens? It overflows...

The thicker the liquid, the slower it passes through.

Introducing liquids while food is still there is much worse, for me....cannot do it. Although it is a trick I used when I used to get stuck, often, during those early learning months.

Edited July 11, 201412 yr by B-52

I was told to sip everything liquid. It teaches you to not gulp, therefore, there's not as much going down. We are such a fast paced society, that we chug and shove everything down so quickly, that most times we don't even taste the food or drink we ingest. That's what's wonderful about this surgery. It teaches you to SLOW DOWN. I was told that I need to learn how to take small bites, sip, and savor.

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