Did you undergo bariatric surgery and are now experiencing hiccups? This can be normal and one of the most common problems after bariatric surgery. Most post-surgery patients complain about hiccups, although people experience them to varying degrees. Some people experience hiccups after eating and others have them during the night. Some people complain of hiccups just after surgery, whereas others only have them months later. In this article, we’ll look at all there is to know about hiccups after gastric sleeve surgery and what you can do about it. What This Article Covers: Hiccups After Gastric Sleeve Why Do Hiccups Occur After Gastric Sleeve Surgery? How To Prevent or Stop Hiccups After Gastric Sleeve Surgery Hiccups After Gastric Sleeve Hiccups are not a widely researched side effect of gastric sleeve surgery because they don’t necessarily lead to severe complications or pain after bariatric surgery. Even though there isn’t a lot of pain involved, hiccups are annoying, embarrassing, and uncomfortable to deal with. Let’s look at why hiccups occur after surgery, what you can do to relieve the symptoms and how you can prevent them. Why Do Hiccups Occur After Gastric Sleeve Surgery? It remains unknown to what the direct cause of hiccups is after bariatric surgery. Healthcare providers suggest it’s due to eating too fast, eating too much, or not chewing food properly. However, this hasn’t explained why people experience them at times when they are not eating, such as during the night. Hiccups refer to muscle spasms that occur due to a build-up of gas or when too much food is swallowed at once. The most popular theory suggests that eating too fast or too much creates gas, which in turn, places pressure on the diaphragm and to reduce this pressure results in hiccups. How To Prevent Or Stop Hiccups After Gastric Sleeve Surgery Much of the advice on how to prevent hiccups have to do with modifying eating habits. What can you do to relieve some of the pressure on your diaphragm? Portion Control Following the requirements of your bariatric diet plan according to dietary choices and portion size will help to prevent overeating and side effects. Overeating can also lead to getting food stuck after bariatric surgery, which is even worse than hiccups. You can opt to use containers of various sizes and plan your portions out ahead or you can incorporate bariatric meal replacements to ensure that you always stay on track with your meal portion. Eat Slower Bariatric patients are constantly reminded to eat slow and mindfully, but it is easier said than done. You can place your utensils down between bites. Some people suggest that you chew your food 40 times before swallowing. Use smaller silverware or eat with chopsticks to slow down eating. These are all tactics that can assist you in eating slower and, in turn, reducing the chance that you will have problems with hiccups. It can also alleviate other symptoms, such as heartburn after gastric sleeve surgery. Stick To Your Diet Plan It is important to regulate how much you eat, when you eat, and which foods you can eat at different stages in your recovery plan. Bariatric surgery comes with a detailed diet plan to follow post-surgery and sticking to it can be difficult. Some people even report symptoms of depression after gastric sleeve surgery because of the pressures associated with sticking to the post-surgery diet plan. However, if you follow your guidelines closely, you can ensure a speedy recovery and avoid hiccups, constipation, and even nausea after gastric sleeve surgery. Listen To Your Body You need to listen to your body when you feel full. This is especially true for post-bariatric surgery patients who struggle to distinguish their new level of “fullness”. In addition, you need to pay attention to what triggers your hiccups. Listening to your body is also an important part of the recovery process and can help prevent any gastric sleeve or gastric bypass complications years later. It should be noted that most of these guidelines also prevent consistent burping after gastric sleeve surgery, which is one of the other most common side effects of gastric sleeve surgery. Final Remarks Hiccups are a short-lived and annoying side effect from gastric sleeve surgery, which will not persist forever. Since it can cause discomfort, it is best to engage in habits that will prevent hiccups from occurring. If you are struggling with the hiccups post-surgery, just know that you are not alone and that a few modifications to the way you eat can help you prevent them in the future. Did you find our blog helpful? Then consider checking: Gastric Bypass Risks Vomiting After Gastric Sleeve Surgery Fatigue After Gastric Bypass Gastric Bypass Side Effects Gastric Bypass Complications Hair Loss After Gastric Bypass Duodenal Switch Complications Hormone Changes After Bariatric Surgery Thyroid Problems After Gastric Bypass Constipation After Sleeve Gastrectomy Dehydration After Bariatric Surgery Gastric Sleeve Pain After Eating Gastric Bands Side Effects Anorexia After Gastric Sleeve **This blog is for information and education purposes only. This information is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions in regards to a medical condition. A qualified healthcare professional can best assist you in deciding whether a dietary supplement is suitable based on your individual needs.