Question:
its 5 wks out and my insides feel like ive been kicked in the guts. is this normal?

everything i eat and mostly everything i drink gives me severe chest pain lasting for 30 minutes. i can't tolerate any of the protein stuff.the pain is so bad its as if ur taking s heart attack. anyone else do this? how long before it gets better? should i think of revision?    — harleyhoney2 (posted on February 26, 2008)

February 26, 2008
That is perfectly normal. You have had a major surgery. I am a little over 2 months out and I still have problems eating and drinking certain things. Right after my surgery I had a really HARD time even drinking water. You may be drinking or eating too fast. It does get better, just hang in there. I have lost over 60 pounds and feel wonderful. I drink lots of water , but have a hard time getting enough protein sometimes. Just remember there is light at the end of the tunnel!
   — neewoods

February 26, 2008
Just chew your food really well. If it hurts, try slidder food that is easier to take. This could be can peaches, or cottage cheese. I was 6 weeks before I could eath the first solid food and I took one bite and chewed and chewed and it hurt. Each day it got a little better, but you had a lot of work on the insides and it heals slowly. Make sure that you are not getting Fat or Sugar, other than natural suger in fruit and vegatables. You will do great. I had several weeks of regret after surgery, that today are all behind me and I am ever so glad I have RNY WLS. Write if you got more questions. I am glad to share what I know.
   — William (Bill) wmil

February 26, 2008
Hi, I was so sore at first after surgery, right after surgery, I felt better as the days went on, but the amount of pain you are experiencing may be caused by what you are trying to eat or it may not be, you should call your surgeons office and discuss what is going on. It is always better to be safe than sorry. i occassionally had the chest pain after eating something, but that only happened a few times not everytime I ate something. So it may be nothing, just your body needs time to heal, or it may be something, call your doc. You may also not be getting in enough fluids or nutrients and they may be able to help you with that, especially if you are dehydrated. Lisa H. lap/rny 10-23-03 340+/180/???
   — Lisa H.

February 26, 2008
It sounds like gas to me but you might mention this to your Dr. I had a blockage after about 6 weeks that they had to go in an clear up. It was no big deal.
   — Claudia C.

February 26, 2008
If I drink to fast it feel like that to so maybe so down some
   — ELAINE44

February 27, 2008
5 weeks out is so fresh and new. Your body is working overtime to heal everything inside and needs to compensate for the changes. You have just rerouted your insides. You are probably feeling gas. Your body works twice as hard to absorb protein and must get used to it. Take it slow, journal all of the discoveries and emotions so that when you reflect, you never forget what you went through. Your journal will get you through your later post-op days.
   — bariatricdivalatina

February 27, 2008
You could be eating too fast, not chewing your food long enough, and drinking with your food can make the pain worse! Don't drink any liquids with your food for at least 30 mins before or after. Imagine your stomach is now a funnel...Large opening, teeny tiny exit. Now imagine you've eaten and all the food has to slowly pass thru the tiny exit (stoma) Add water and you have a clogged drain. Until it unclogs, it will feel like someone is standing on your chest with a high heel dug firmly in there. Stretch your meal out to last a little longer and eat slowly for now and see if that helps...Then as you can handle more food, you will begin to eat more normally. When this happens, try to get up and walk and that will help "unclog" your stoma. You're fine! Don't drink water...That just sits even heavier on top of all that food and ouchies!!! Chewing some papaya (get anywhere where they sell vitamins) Helps a lot! They have enzymes that help break down protein. Chew up to three when this happens and it also helps move it along faster. (They do have natural sugar in them so watch you don't chew more than 3) Good luck!
   — .Anita R.

February 27, 2008
Oh, I know that pain. I had it from day 2 to day 13...around day 7. I had lapband surgery on 1/23. I had my husband take me to the emergency room because I thought maybe it was a clot or something. The left shoulder pain was so bad I couldn't stand it. It felt like someone was hitting me with a hammer. I informed the ER staff about my surgery and they looked at the incisions and asked me about what pain killer I was given. The doctor said the pain meds don't get any stronger than what I was taking. (Hydromorphone) They did a catscan and gave me an iv pain killer and sent me home. The next day at the surgeon's office, they told me it's quite common and it will go away but to sip fluids very slowly and avoid very cold liquids as they expand as they warm up inside your digestive tract and can cause gas pain. They said the swelling inside can press on the same nerve that causes the shoulder pain that people get when they're having a heart attack. I go back to the surgeon tomorrow for a new pain that I've had about a week now in the left abdomin. It comes and goes so I am assuming it's gas from the enriched soy milk that I use to drink my protein powder or maybe the fact that I'm getting about twice the recommended amount of calcium. I puree roasted chicken, cottage cheese, eggs and fat free refried beans and measure everything with the measuring tablespoon. I tried pureed ham and baked turkey, but they don't seem to break dawn as much in the cuizinart. I tried pureed chili and that was a mistake. I get the impression a lot of this is trial and error to see what works for your body. I also use the Unjury Whey protein isolate brand of protein powder in soy milk. I mix all 16 oz in my shaker and drink half in the morning and half in the afternoon. I find that if I mix it a few hours early, it gives it time for the bubbles to work their way out and hopefully help me avoid more gas. I hope you can feel better real soon. Hang in there. Bigwyfan
   — Bigwyfan1964

February 27, 2008
I remember that pain... ouch! If your like me it was gallstones :( I also felt like I was having a heart attack so I really can appreciate where your at. If I were you I would just give my surgeon a quick call. Like my Dr. told me "When in doubt.. call" Good luck & feel better!
   — KimY

February 27, 2008
Hi Amanda, I am 7 months out and I still have that sensation with somethings that I eat and drink. At first I had a tremendous amount of nausea, that has gotten alot better, but I can not drink like I use to. Don't try eating and drinking together, that can cause major, eating softer food until it gets easier is all I can suggest and to let you know that is does get better, but it is a life altering change. I am able to drink regular amounts of liquid now, but it did take awhile. I still have trouble drinking bottled water, it tastes different, seems like the texture is weird.(sounds crazy) Fiju or the better bottled water is easier on my stomach, you could give it a try. Good Luck!!
   — avastrole

March 1, 2008
Amanda, I have had many times I thought I was having a heart attack. Mine was I either ate too much or too fast ... I would drink liquids too soon after my meal...Always check with your Dr. But I can tell you what my experiences are... DONT OVER EAT! DONT DRINK FOR 1/2 Hour Before and after meals.. Make sure you chew your food well too and youll be ok.. you are not out for very long. I am out for 12 months and still could have the pain, but I have learned my lesson the hard way .... E-me anytime [email protected]
   — obx100

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