Question:
Is a little pain normal when you swallow liquids?

I am 1 week out from my surgery. I spent most of it in the hospital because of swelling and no liquids draining through not even suliva. I'm home now and can drink, but I feel a small pain when ever I swallow any liquid. I even took the idea of using a sippy cup to make sure I don't gulp too much liquid at once.    — LadyTaurus13 (posted on August 24, 2011)

August 24, 2011
Drink real slooooooow. Do not drink out of a sippy cup. The small opening may cause an air bubble. It's like drinking threw a straw thats a no no. Try drinking out of a small shot glass. Good luck.
   — slvbullet

August 24, 2011
It is a shame that some Doctors do not tell their patients what or what not to do. Straws are a NO NO, slvbullet is right on the money. You need to call your Dr. and tell him your problems with swallowing. The first year was so rough for me, thank God I had a great Dr and NUT. You need all the support you can get! Good luck!
   — FSUMom

August 24, 2011
The pain is not normal. Both of the other posters are right. Contact your doc, drink very small amounts and space the sips out. I bought a kids place setting and used a measuring cup for my liquids (I was trying to track my liquids- which is very important because if you don't drink enough it will cause other issues and pain). Also have them check your gallbladder if you have still have one, when I drunk and had pain that was my culprit. Best wishes
   — taow95

August 24, 2011
First of all, congrats on your surgery!! I had some pain while swallowing right after my surgery and every now and then if I try to drink too much at one time, I'll feel it again, if it's bad enough, I believe it causes a wound, like a little stretch mark or something, because sometimes it'll be a little painful for a day or two after that. I drank too much at once while in the hospital and then spent the rest of the time in the hospital using spoons to drink from. I continued this at home for a few days til I got the hang of sipping tiny amounts. Call your surgeon/nurse, that's what they're there for. Hope you get to feeling better soon!!
   — Clumsybarbie

August 31, 2011
My bypass surgery was June 27th and what I'm learning is, just like eating it has to be small and slow. Too much food/liquid or eating/drinking too fast, sometimes causes me pain. If it's food, it may take up to 20 minutes to pass. The hardest thing for ME is (and I'm still learning 9 weeks out of surgery) the first bite, or drink. It has to be small and well-chewed, or small sips.
   — Harvey S.

September 14, 2011
Like eating too much, or too fast, gulping liquids can cause pain too. No longer can I open the fridge and guzzle water, juice, etc right from the bottle. I now pour myself a glass of my favorite beverage over ice, and sip it over several minutes.
   — Harvey S.