I am 6 days VSG post op with a small hernia repair.

On day 1 after surgery I was surprised I could finish 4 oz of their thinned cream of wheat the hospital served me per doctor recommended menu. I was heavily medicated through IV however so if I had any pain from it I didn’t feel it.

On day 2, I had lunch before they discharged me. A cup of thick blended beef stew. I was able to finish that with some tightening/cramping of my stomach at the opening, followed by gurgling noises like air bubbles coming up. I took a few sips at a time but food never tasted so good after two weeks of pre op liquid only diet. Even if food was blended, it was thick and savory.

Day 3 to Day 6 now is where this gets interesting! With hospital Pain meds wearing off, I started feeling pain on my left side if I tried to take a full breath, much like a person would feel if they suffered fractured ribs. I thought this was normal since I’m feeling soreness because our stomachs are on the left side of the body and it’s very likely my stomach is swollen and it may be impeding my lungs to hold air at full capacity. That is until I message my doctor on day 4 and told him and he said for me to go to the ER?! I had no nausea, chest pain or fever and didn’t feel like it was an emergency situation so I didn’t go. I have the same discomfort now at day 6, it’s Sunday, so I will call their office tmw but DID ANYONE EXPERIENCE THIS left side pain where they felt they couldn’t take in a full breath of air without pain/discomfort like a bruised/fractured rib feeling?

Day 4- I wanted to test the limits of my pouch and see if It can handle thinned out rice porridge yet. I just couldn’t handle another day of liquid only. I was able to drink in 20 ounces of this thick soup! I had some pain just at the entry point of my stomach followed by gurgling and bubbles to which my doctor said is normal for 1-2 weeks post op but other than that I’m shocked I could drink/eat that much on day 4! Have I stretched my stomach to failure?! Have any of you tried eating/drinking more, earlier than you should and what resulted? It seems at day 6 my pouch is at full capacity to handle a full size meal if it can take in 20 ounces within 15 minutes

This is my last post. I understand people’s concern if a dr recommended you to go to the ER, I also would recommend they to go but this was not the purpose of this thread per my original post. I had two questions and only 2 people actually helped to answer one of the two questions I had while others are quick to question my decisions.

To the naysayers, I did go to the ER today after further discussion with my dr and the result is...I’m fine. Thank you to all who were genuinely concerned for me.

After a chest X-ray, bloodwork, and CT Scan of my abdomen they said the reason for my abdomen pain from an attempt on taking in a full breath is simply because of spleen infarct. Patients who undergo bariatric surgery are 25% at risk of getting a lesion and is not considered an emergency issue, but one that will resolve on its own.

I hope this post will assist someone else who may have the same experience I did and looking for possible answers. Of course any kind of symptom not previously disclosed to you to expect is scary and your dr should be informed.

Obviously every doctor has different methods and recommendations and every patient has different needs so while we may have some similarities please don’t assume your way is the right and only way! Do share your experience. That’s what this website is for, but leave it up to others to make up their own minds on how they want to proceed.

I’m told by the physician assistant that the top part of your spleen is removed because your stomach is attached to it so this is somewhat common occurrence for 25% of the people, though not everyone feels the pain. I did.