4 days post-op epiglottis is huge! gagging all the time

Had RNY laproscopically on tuesday 11/11/08.  While my mouth & throat were really dry after surgery, I made it through that time with nothing but some cinnamon toothpics.  Leak tests on wednesday were fine, so I got to start sipping water Wed late morning - halelujiah! 

I knew the back of my throat was really irritated but figured that would get better as I was able to get some moisture back there.  Not so.  It feels like my epiglottis (sp) (that thing that dangles down in the back of your throat) feels like it's twice as long as it should be and I have the gagging reflex like constantly.  I can cough and flop it up on my tongue which is really gross.

I understand there were tubes down my throat during surgery - one must have caught the epiglottis and stretched it or something - HA!  And there's probably nothing the Drs. can do about it - that's not what I'm looking for.  I'm just wondering if anyone else had the same thing happen and how long it took for that little appendage to go back to normal and stop making me gag all the time.  I want to know there's light at the end of the tunnel and have some idea of how long it might take to get here.

Am doing pretty good in every other respect.  Still sore, coughing hurts, liquid Lortab tastes bad but I choke ('er gag) it down when I have to, getting my daily water intake in.  So everything else is tolerable except this throat deal.  Kinda wasn't expecting this.  Would love to hear if anyone else has some insight on this. 

Thanks!
Dena

Sorry, it's not the epiglottis, it's the uvula that's the problem.  That's the little thingy hanging down in the back of one's throat.  I posted this on the main RNY forum as well, but no one else has had this problem. 

Hi, Dena.
That is your uvula, and it may be an allergic reaction to something you're taking. I had the same thing happen to me (not related to WLS, though). Although my incident was more related to nasal drainage, I was put on Benydryl and the uvula shrank back within 24 hours. Call your doctor to see if you can take liquid Benydryl. I was so concerned and every time I swallowed, I "swallowed" my uvula, then I'd have to cough it back up. It was horrible. The ER doctor had never seen anything like it. I was at the point that I would have given her permission to cut it out, literally! Until you can get your doctor, ice water will feel good.
Good luck, and keep us updated, please.
Blessings & Prayers,
Mary

Adding a PS to my reply:
I was given a benydryl shot in the ER, then continued with Benydryl at home, which may be why the uvula shrank so quickly.

Thanks so much, Mary.  I have my one-week followup appt with my surgeon on Monday 11/17/08, so I'll get to ask him about it then.  The alergic reaction thing is a very good point - I've had lots of new meds from pain things, to anti-nausea meds, etc.  Will definitely post after I see him.

Thanks again!
Dena

Hey, Dena.
How did your appointment go? What did your doctor say? I hope you have a normal-size uvula by now.
Blessings,
Mary

Dena,

I would be careful with the liquid Benadryl. I dumped on it. It was the first and only time I have ever dumped!

Just a follow-up:  Uvula is fine now.  Took about 2-3 weeks for it to get back to normal.  At my 1wk appt, when I told surgeon about it, he just smiled and said it would get better.  Luckily it did.  Ice chips did help.

Thanks all,
Dena