VSG pain when swallowing

Question
Hi Karla!
I had the VSG on the 6th of july (9 days ago) and all went well according to the surgeon. I had the swallow x-ray 6 days post op and the doctor said it was perfect and he made me move on to full liquids. However I sometimes get sharp pains between my upper back and my stomach when I swallow. I sometimes can't take deep breaths and I can't really seem to be able to take anything more consistent than water (yoghurt and jello make me feel as if something got stuck). I also get that feeling when I swallow tablets (even small ones). Sometimes I'll feel that I'm still hungry but when I have a little bit more soup I'll feel I need to throw up. Drinking and  eating are kind of a pain now and I feel like I'm not getting enough hydration. How long could this last? Am I ever gonna be back to eating in a normal way (of course with small portions).

Answer
Hi Niles:

Congratulations on your successful surgery.  First, the good news--things will get better (usually quite quickly) and you should be able to eat normal foods in smaller portions.  However, right now you're still in the healing stage--and it sounds like your stomach might still be a bit swollen.  It's completely normal and should resolve over time (a few weeks max.)

It's smart of you to be worried about dehydration, because that's probably the number one complication VSGers face in the immediate post op.  Sip sip sip water and protein drinks all day long.  It helps to give yourself a goal, so by lunch, I'll finish this bottle of water...by dinner, this bottle.  You can monitor your hydration state by looking at your urine color and amount.  Dark or cloudy urine and little output are all signs that you're dehydrated and may need an IV of fluids.  Especially in the summer, one needs to be extra cautious.  If in doubt, ask your surgeon.

As for tablets, often times people crush them and put them in a bit of yogurt or pudding to get them down during the immediate post-op phase--first 4-6 weeks.  It's not unusual at all for you to have trouble swallowing them.  The only tablets you do not want to crush are time-released ones.  If you have any doubts, ask your pharmacist.  Most medication is also available in liquid form.

It's going to take a bit of time to get to know your new stomach, but you will don't worry.  Throwing up is usually something people only do in the immediate post op phases.  At this stage, as you're eating so little--you really need to try and maximize the nutritional value of your calories. I think it's because your body is a bit starved that one tends to overeat at this phase--your body craves the nutrients. So, protein shakes, watery porridge/oatmeal made with lactose-reduced milk, loosely scrambled eggs, custards, etc.  You can make a nice high protein custard using eggs, skim milk, Splenda (sugar substitute), and vanilla.  

The good news is that you're sort of at the threshold of feeling awful and feeling great.  Usually it's around the 2 week mark that people start to feel exponentially better.   

Don't forget once your surgeon gives you the O.K. for vitamins to take your sublingual B12, folic acid, Vitamin D, and a good multi.

Good luck,
Karla  

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