4 Days Post-Op, How Long Does Pain Last When Swallowing?

hope123
on 10/28/13 6:32 am, edited 10/28/13 10:35 am - MO

Hi Guys, I'm four days post-op with the sleeve on 10/24/13.  How long does the pain last when swallowing?  Whenever I drink something (slow sips), it hits me like a brick where the esophagus meets the stomach.  I feel like if I could move past this stage I'd be doing fine.  Did this happen to anyone else, and how long did it last?  Thank you everyone!  :-)

Kathy8429
on 10/28/13 6:45 am

Someone told me tiny sip, walk, wait, repeat. It helped a lot. Also warm liquids vs cool or cold. At about 2-3 weeks it got a lot better. I'm now about 2 months out and can take multiple sips at a time and can drink cooler liquids without the chest pain. I've always been a gulper so learning to sip has been hard for me

Chrissy W.
on 10/28/13 6:46 am - Indianapolis, IN
VSG on 07/01/13

Sounds like spasms. Did your surgeon give you something in case of spasms? If not, call them. Also, I found (through this board) that varying temperatures of water affect people differently. Try room temperature water and see if that helps. If it IS spasms, that may or may not help. As always, call your surgeon with any problems in case of a more serious issue. Don't worry about being a pest. That's what you're paying them for :) Good luck!!

VSG 7/1/13 with Dr. Jack Rutledge 28 y/o female - 5'10" - HW: 298GW: 174 - SW: 290 (-8) - M1: 262 (-28) - M2: 247 (-15) - M3: 235 (-12) - M4: 228 (-7 ~First Stall: almost 2 wks~) - M5: 218 (-10) - M6: 209 (-9) - M7: 199 (-10) Onederland on 1/31 - M8: 196 (-3) 100 lb total loss on 2/2 - M9: 192.6 (-3.4) - M10: 188.6 (-4) - M11: 182 (-6.6) - M12: 175.6 (-6.4) - M13: 173.8 (-1.8) CW (7/8/15): 167 - GOAL reached in 1 Year and 25 Days! - TOTAL WL - 131 lbs  

hope123
on 10/28/13 6:58 am - MO

They can give us something for spasms?  What is it?  Does it work?  Thanks!

Chrissy W.
on 10/28/13 8:26 am - Indianapolis, IN
VSG on 07/01/13

Oh yes!! I kept Levsin in my purse the first month. It's a teeny sublingual tablet that works like a charm! I found that when I ate/drank too fast, I'd get spasms - mine were in my throat, but your sound like the typical spasms that my surgeon warned about. I didn't know what they were for almost 2 weeks! Ask for something from your surgeon. Don't be uncomfortable. They may want to so follow-up testing to rule out anything sinister (like a stricture) but, regardless, they can get you comfortable again. 

VSG 7/1/13 with Dr. Jack Rutledge 28 y/o female - 5'10" - HW: 298GW: 174 - SW: 290 (-8) - M1: 262 (-28) - M2: 247 (-15) - M3: 235 (-12) - M4: 228 (-7 ~First Stall: almost 2 wks~) - M5: 218 (-10) - M6: 209 (-9) - M7: 199 (-10) Onederland on 1/31 - M8: 196 (-3) 100 lb total loss on 2/2 - M9: 192.6 (-3.4) - M10: 188.6 (-4) - M11: 182 (-6.6) - M12: 175.6 (-6.4) - M13: 173.8 (-1.8) CW (7/8/15): 167 - GOAL reached in 1 Year and 25 Days! - TOTAL WL - 131 lbs  

hope123
on 10/28/13 8:47 am - MO

I did some more research online, and I think it's Dysphagia (since I also had to have hiatal hernia repair, which is right where the esophagus and stomach meet).  It says this can last anywhere from 4 days to 4 months...sigh...lucky me, LOL!  That's something I'll have to learn to handle, but hopefully I can get in "enough" water intake, because I know I can't get as much water as they want me to.

Chrissy W.
on 10/28/13 8:56 am - Indianapolis, IN
VSG on 07/01/13

I'm sorry :( If it were me (take it or leave it) I'd still report the discomfort to my surgeon, just in case ;)

VSG 7/1/13 with Dr. Jack Rutledge 28 y/o female - 5'10" - HW: 298GW: 174 - SW: 290 (-8) - M1: 262 (-28) - M2: 247 (-15) - M3: 235 (-12) - M4: 228 (-7 ~First Stall: almost 2 wks~) - M5: 218 (-10) - M6: 209 (-9) - M7: 199 (-10) Onederland on 1/31 - M8: 196 (-3) 100 lb total loss on 2/2 - M9: 192.6 (-3.4) - M10: 188.6 (-4) - M11: 182 (-6.6) - M12: 175.6 (-6.4) - M13: 173.8 (-1.8) CW (7/8/15): 167 - GOAL reached in 1 Year and 25 Days! - TOTAL WL - 131 lbs  

hope123
on 10/28/13 10:21 am - MO

I will, I see him in 9 days, which is my first post-op appointment.  If it gets worse before then, I'll call him beforehand.  Thank you for the advice and support!  :-)

freckles1973
on 10/28/13 7:45 am - Canada

I am 3 weeks post op this Wednesday. I had the exact same thing with pain during swallowing around the esophagus area during the first week after surgery. I have an incision mark around that area so I know they went in there laparoscopically. I believe this is perfectly normal in the first week. For me..by the second week this went away. Just continue with small sips and swallows..hope it passes quickly.

 

hope123
on 10/28/13 7:47 am - MO

Thank you Freckles, I hope so too!  :-)

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