Question:
7 DAYS POST-OP?(LAP RNY)
WHAT ARE ALL THE GURGULING SOUNDS THAT MY STOMACH MAKES WHEN I DRINK SOMETHING? ALSO DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO MAKE MY TIME WITH THE G-TUBE A LITTLE MORE COMFY? HOW LONG BEFORE I CAN SLEEP ON MY SIDE?MY BACK HURTS SO BAD IF I LAY ON IT TOO LONG. THANKS IN ADVANCE FAM...SMOOCHES. — latreshar (posted on August 19, 2008)
August 19, 2008
Congratulations on your surgery! Just remember you just had major surgery.
You pouch is sore and swollen and the little noises you hear will go away.
As far as being comfy with the tube, that is a mystery to me. I hated my
tube but don't worry it will be out soon. Just rest and let your body heal!
Good Luck!!
— Shopgrl714
August 19, 2008
Congrats & Welcome!
The gurgling sounds become less noticeable after a while. Good Luck!
— AprilJM
August 19, 2008
I gurgled when I drank water and still do. My Surgeon said I am water
intolerant, and it happens alot and they don't know why. Is it only
happening when you drink water? If so try adding flavoring or a smidgen of
juice it changes it's molecular structure and I don't gurgle. Just a
thought. I was able to sleep on my side in 4 weeks....I know it's a long
time but it will go by fast! Congratulations and good luck!
— k4rizz421
August 19, 2008
Try propping your head and shoulders on folded light weight blankets to lie
at a different level. I happened to have a wedge cushion which helped me
and also it is very good to put a pillow under your knees as it will take
some of the pressure off the lower back. When on your side, slide a pillow
between your knees. It will also support the spine and your feet and legs.
I was able to sleep on my right side within a week and it was about 2
months before I could sleep on left side or tummy...I am a tummy sleeper
and it seemed like forever. Good luck
— Gena L.
August 19, 2008
That's your new plumbing , darlin'! Loverly, sounds... isn't it? Your pouch
is like a clogged drain...so as water and air goes down into your
pouch.....air bubbles come up to let the water go down...The result...Noisy
pouch sounds. I still get it on a totally empty pouch when I drink
water....I know nothing about tubes...sorry...I had open RNY with
staples...But congrats and welcome to a totally new life...I wish you many
warm and healthy blessings...
— .Anita R.
August 19, 2008
The gurgling sounds are normal! I had them also! I do not believe that
you have a G-tube. It is called a JP drain. A G-tube is a tube inserted
so that you can get tube feedings by gravity or machine and this will
defeat the purpose for your WLS! It is a route for a nutritional deficit.
If I am wrong and you do have a G-tube, please forgive me.
— [Deactivated Member]
August 19, 2008
The sounds may be called, "borborygmi". This is also known as
persitalsis. It is the contractions of the stomach and intestines to move
food throught the digestive tract. The sound may be exaggerated because of
your recent surgery.
— janpmck
August 19, 2008
To one of the previous authors who was questioning if you had a g-tube or a
drain, it is not common, but some surgeons still do insert a g-tube with
all of their RNYs for about 6 weeks as a "just in case" mechanism
for emergency hydration/nutrition. It is old school and not done that
often. A dear friend of mine had one and hated it too.
Do you have it taped down to your stomach? If not, try placing a piece of
tape on your stomach and then placing the tube over the tape, and tape it
down to the first piece of tape... reason being... what does tape stick to
the best? Tape. Being a nurse and having had many patients with g-tubes,
there really isn't much you can do except tolerate it. Time will go by
quickly so hang in there.
As far as sleeping goes, I felt the same way. I hate sleeping on my back
and it gives me a horrible backache. I tried sleeping in my recliner, I
was able to nap on and off but not sleep. We had a Craftmatic adjustable
bed in storage from when my Mother-in-law was ill and we ended up rounding
up 4 men (wicked heavy beds) and parking it in the middle of our living
room. It was great!!! You can adjust the head and foot where you are
comfortable and it really helped with my back pain. It was queen sized so
I had lots of company... my kids would watch tv and lay with me, the cats
would nap with me, my husband would either sleep with me or on the couch
next to me. I'm not saying you have to purchase one, but perhaps you could
rent a hospital bed or something for a couple of weeks or borrow one from
someone if they have one. Look on Craigs list as well. This may sound
drastic to some, but going without sleep for extended periods of time and
chronic back pain in addition to your post op pain is not good for your
rehab.
Gurgling noises, with RNY it is from the new plumbing and the stoma
sometimes lasting for a while, sometimes forever. With LapBand, it is from
the stoma and the actual band itself will make squeeking and squawking
noises without even drinking anything. It's strange, I can be on the phone
and my band will start talking.... my friends and family recognize the
noise now. Funny. Normal. Lasts as long as you have the band. Some
people have noises, some don't.
Good luck and welcome to the loser's bench,
Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC, CLC
— DawnVic
August 20, 2008
My gurgle noises were a lot less noticable about a month out. I don't know
if I got used to them or if they quieted down! I could sleep on my side
about 3 weeks after surgery. I am a side sleeper so i was happy to take
pain meds for the first few days to help me sleep then after that I just
dealt with it, but it will go by faster than you think. Welcome to the OH
family! Good luck!
— tuckerheather
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