Hi all,

I am 5 days post op sleeve surgery. I am doing stage 1 Clear liquids and I have a couple questions/concerns. My instructions say to try to drink 4 ounces of liquid per hour to get in enough for the day. In the first two days, I realized I was taking too large sips and it was difficult to finish the 4 ounces per hour. I started taking smaller sips and no longer have the uncomfortable feeling in my stomach.

I have added 2 Protein shakes per day as per my instructions and that is going ok too except that I am able to drink more than the 4 ounces per hour. Is that ok to do? Or will I stretch my stomach by doing that? Is there such a thing as too many ounces per day in clear liquids stage? Should there be a break between liquids? I feel like I'm drinking the whole day long. I know that once I start adding foods, I can't eat and drink at the same time, but right now I am drinking chicken broth and sipping Water at the same time. Just not sure that I am doing this right and I want to do it right.

I'm worried that I'm not getting that full or uncomfortable feeling after 4 or even 8 ounces. And I do feel hunger pains.

I appreciate any help/advice understanding this.

Kate

You aren't going to stretch your sleeve with liquids. Liquids go right through your pyloric valve and into your intestines. The reason some people have trouble drinking enough early on is because they have a lot of post-surgery inflammation, swelling, and bruising in their stomach tissues, which makes it hard for even liquid to get through. If you don't, that means your surgeon did meticulous work, you are a great healer, and you should be happy because you are not at risk of dehydration.

The four ounces per hour guideline is meant as a minimum for people who are struggling, not a maximum to avoid stretching your sleeve.

Unless the liquids you are consuming are not enough, are causing you distress, or are loaded up with carbs and sugar, you are doing it right. Don't overthink it.

As for hunger pains, are you on a PPI? Many people deal with excess acid immediately after sleeve surgery and your stomach gets confused and starts relaying "hunger pain" signals to the brain.

I am also day 5 and my surgeon did not put any indication on maximum quantities you can drink. I can do broth and water at the same time too. Only the protein shakes are harder to digest for me. Regarding hunger pain, I am on Omeprazole to take when it happens and works great. I also notice it does not happen if I keep my schedule on drinking and "eating" at the right hours. Take care, Mico

@@Bufflehead Is 100% right. If you can get in more fluids than the minimum, then that's awesome!

And if you aren't on a PPI, as your surgeon about one tomorrow.

Thank you all so much for your replies to my questions. Another issue for me is that I have not had a bowel movement in over a week. I took stool softeners and a laxative and I am walking daily, but no results. Any additional suggestions?

Thanks again.

Drink your liquids and try to take your proteins....then be patient. Took me 6 days without medication.

How long were you on pain meds post-op? They can cause constipation. Plus the fact that you just aren't eating much now means you don't have much waste building up to pass in the first place. Hang in there and get your water. If it remains an issue, you could try something gentle over-the-counter or call your surgeon's office and ask what they would recommend.

Try Milk of Magnesia if you haven't already. If MOM doesn't work for you, get in contact with your surgeon's office. You don't want to let things go too long. Better to have a possibly awkward conversation with the surgeon's office than to end up in the ER with some stranger trying to use their fingers to dig out an impaction.