After surgery

I just had surgery 1 week ago.  I have a very full feeling in my upper stomach no matter how much or little I eat or drink.  I also still have the CO2 gas in my shoulders and pain right under my left rib cage.  The pain on the left side rib cage is worse when I lay flat or on the left side and it is very painful.  Is any of this normal?

It's totally all normal! You feel full because your stomach is still swollen from the surgery. I think it was 2-3 weeks before the swelling finally started going down for me, but it will get better. The gas is best gotten rid of by walking altho I found gas x strips helped mine. Some it helps and others not so much, just have to give it a try and see. Another way to help the gas "move along" is to lay either on your back or your side and pull your knees up as fr towards your chest as you can. This "opens the way" for it to pass. A nurse told me that one time and it helps anytime gas is an issue. So give it a week or so and things will slowly get better.

It's very normal. Walk as much as you can tolerate to dissipate the gas more effectively. 

Hope you feel better really soon. Take care.

I wish I had a "like" button

Yes, as everyone else has said, it is very normal.

I also found that at different times of the day, different temperature food and water was easier.  In the morning, I could not take in cold liquids, but warm tea or hot cocoa worked well.

In the evening I wanted cold drinks --- so, iced tea or crystal light worked well.

Experiment (slowly) with different temps -- and with different textures (you are probably on all soft/mushy foods or even still full-liquids)

Walk, walk, walk -- that helps the gas move out of your body.

A heating pad may make you more comfortable when you are sitting or reclining

Feel better!!!

Yep, just keep walking and sipping.  Keep hydrated!  I wasn't able to sleep on the left side for a long time.  I wasn't able to sleep on either side at first.  You are very normal!

Have you already been cleared for eating solids?  I was on liquids for 3 weeks post op.  Every surgeon has a different protocol, just make sure you are sticking to your Dr.'s orders.  Your pouch is healing and should be aproximately the size of an egg.  1/4 cup portions is what my surgeon coaches once you are on solid foods.  Go slow, chew well and take all of this VERY seriously.  The rules are there for a reason.  I'm sure you're doing the right things.  All of your symptoms are normal and you should feel better every day.

Best~

Lisa

Well welcome and congratulations!

get   walkin!

who is your surgeon? are you eating "real" food already? Wow, things have changed greatly, I was on liquids for a while.

prek3

I didn't see that the OP was eating solids.  I was allowed thinned instant oat meal and strained creamed soup a week out four years ago!

Thank you all for  the responses.  It has now been a week and 2 days since surgery.  I actually had a double whammy because my surgeon, Rubin Nirmalan from Lafayette IN, found a pretty good size hiatal hernia while in there so he fixed it too.  I am feeling a lot better and glad to know everything is normal.  I have graduated from eating liquids only, to pureed foods for a week then if that goes well, on to soft foods.  The gas has subsided but the pain when I lay flat or on my left side is still present.  Walking and feeling great.  The 2 weeks prior to surgery I was on a very strick diet so in the last 3 wks I am down 20 lbs. 10 of which have been in the last week since surgery.  I now have hope for a healthier life.  :)