Hi All,

I recently got a sleeve done (12/31/24 and im having trouble drinking.

Every time a take a small sip of water or protien shakes, my stomach feels lkke it's FULL of gas and I am actively in pain while this is happening.

Has anyone else experienced this? If so, does it last long?

Did you have a problem drinking while you were in the hospital? I was lucky that I did not but It’s not uncommon to have to take super super tiny sips for a little while but usually they won’t release you until they see you can get down some fluids. They gave me tiny little medicine cups to measure out I think it was one ounce of water and then I was supposed to take tiny sips from that. If smaller sips don’t help It can’t hurt to call and run it by your doctor though especially if the pain is intense. I think any new pain or pain that gets worse after the hospital should be reported to them just in case. They should have a surgeon on call after hours if they are closed for the holiday. Also, keep track of your fluid intake for the next few days and ask them if you should arrange for fluids if it continues to be really low (your probably good for a couple days if you spent any time in hospital on an IV but I’m not sure you did if your surgery was yesterday Especially if your having any diarrhea on top of not getting your fluids. I had no clue they could do this as an out patient and it was just a copay. Was way better than waiting until it got out of hand and ending up in the ER. Sugar free popsicles may help get fluid too. Also different temperatures if fluid sometimes help. Room temp or warm (not too too hot). Another thing that comes to mind is whether you are on a PPI. That may be something to ask about if not.

Edited January 2, 20251 yr by ShoppGirl

It’s likely from swelling from your surgery. I had trouble swallowing for a good three days after surgery. I also produced a lot of saliva and carried a sick bag for a couple of days to spit out the excess spit. All from swelling my surgeon said. I found warm drinks soothing on my tender throat and tummy though some people say the colder the better. So try both to see which you find more soothing. And yes sip slowly leaving a couple of minutes between each sip.

If it persists call your team.

PS The surgical gas is pumped into the abdominal cavity and very little is actually in your tummy. You may feel bloated and you’ll develop shoulder pain as the gas moves up and is absorbed into your lungs to be breathed out. Takes about a week or so to be breathed out. Take little walks often. March on the spot. Raise your arms up and down and do some long slow deep breathing to help it move more quickly.

You are three days post op. Most things will hurt. I could only have 30mls of water by syringe for the first two days and only once every 15 minutes. Then the swelling stopped and I have about double that and start drinking broth.

As everyone else says, take little walks and try to move as much as comfortable to get the gas out.