I was sleeved the morning of 3/14. I’ve transitioned to protein shakes, pudding and creamed soups. My gas pain is pretty intense. I’m able to release gas a little but mostly my stomach is incredibly loud with gas. I’m taking GasX strips. Is the loud sounds of internal gas normal? Also, I’m able to take in more fluids than I thought I could. Am I stretching out my sleeve? I expected it to be more obvious when I had no more room in my new stomach. Thanks for any and all comments and opinions.

Let me congratulate you sir and say welcome to the family! Please do not worry about the amount of liquids that you are able to consume at this stage. I can assure you that I was EXTREMELY worried until I started doing some research and found out that you are able to drink more because water just slides through your pouch. Pretty much the only thing that will "hold" you will be your protein, and anything with a thick consistency. I am a little over 6 months out and I can consume water VERY easily. But when I try to drink a protein shake I have to stop after a few sips and let things settle. It takes me about 15-20 minutes to finish a 20 oz shake. I can absolutely KILL a 16oz bottle of water in 3 minutes or less!! Stomach noise is somewhat normal as well, some more than others! My MIL had a bypass and after she eats she sounds HORRIBLE! I normally don't have any noise but it depends on what I eat but noise is rare. Give it a little time it may work out that you will be "normal" in a bit, you are less than a week out and are still swollen. If you still feel the same after a week or so then you my want to talk to your surgeon and tell them about the stomach noise and the pain that you are experiencing. Normally you will have the gas pain for 3-5 days post op. Just hang in there you will be over this soon! I know that it sounds crazy but this is the worst part, once you get over this hump it is all downhill from here! (journey is a lifetime and you will have a lifetime of good choices to make and trying to keep the weight off but as far as the pain goes its all downhill!!)

Let me congratulate you sir and say welcome to the family! Please do not worry about the amount of liquids that you are able to consume at this stage. I can assure you that I was EXTREMELY worried until I started doing some research and found out that you are able to drink more because Water just slides through your pouch. Pretty much the only thing that will "hold" you will be your Protein, and anything with a thick consistency. I am a little over 6 months out and I can consume water VERY easily. But when I try to drink a Protein Shake I have to stop after a few sips and let things settle. It takes me about 15-20 minutes to finish a 20 oz shake. I can absolutely KILL a 16oz bottle of water in 3 minutes or less!! Stomach noise is somewhat normal as well, some more than others! My MIL had a bypass and after she eats she sounds HORRIBLE! I normally don't have any noise but it depends on what I eat but noise is rare. Give it a little time it may work out that you will be "normal" in a bit, you are less than a week out and are still swollen. If you still feel the same after a week or so then you my want to talk to your surgeon and tell them about the stomach noise and the pain that you are experiencing. Normally you will have the gas pain for 3-5 days post op. Just hang in there you will be over this soon! I know that it sounds crazy but this is the worst part, once you get over this hump it is all downhill from here! (journey is a lifetime and you will have a lifetime of good choices to make and trying to keep the weight off but as far as the pain goes its all downhill!!)

Thank you so much for taking the time to provide so much useful feedback. I’m so impressed by the kindness on this forum. I’m glad to know everything I’m going through right now is somewhat normal. I haven’t lost any weight yet and it’s been a half a week, but I’m hoping that’s normal as well. Thanks again.

Yes, I am not sure what your numbers are but you can see mine in my profile. I did not see any weight loss for about a week or two and then it all started FLYING off. I had a few stall weeks but on average I was loosing about 10-20 pounds a month. You will not see much loss at the moment because of all of the swelling in your abdomen, once the swelling goes down and your body starts reacting to the change it will not take long. I assure you that if you follow the plan that your Dr gave you, that you should be down 10 or more pounds during your first 3-5 weeks. If you start exercising (walking, or riding a bike) you will loose even faster. Just please abide by any and all rules and regulations that your Dr has put in place! You will be fine!