Catching up (and the issue of vomitting)
I am a little over 2 months out and have lost 44 pounds. I also have to
throw up alot!! I have hesitated to write anything here because it
appeared to be a taboo subject. I also had to throw up alot after my
original surgery many years ago (but only in the beginning months following
surgery, perhaps throughout the first year) and then it seemed I could
finally eat like a normal person. (I recently had a revision due to staple
line disruption). I have read that about 20% of WLS patients do throw up,
maybe more so occassionally rather than with some regularity like myself….I
do fine if I drink the protein shakes, but man cannot live on bread alone! I
sometimes get sick to my stomach even eating soft foods, so who knows…I
guess only the shadow knows…but I am most afraid that it will disrupt my
staple line more than anything. Does anyone else fear that vomitting will
cause a staple line disruption? Or is there any evidence to suggest it? I
can’t describe the feeling other than I feel like I am backing up like a
sewer!! I start to burp, and it just gets worse. There seems to be alot of
acid in my stomach that only adds to the pressure. I literally cannot stand
the discomfort involved so vomitting seems the only recourse. I have seen
only a few posts from people addressing this issue. I would really like to
hear from others on this phenomenon. Just a side note…after my first
surgery I was too ashamed to tell my doctor and continued to barf in silence,
however I told him this time. He had a couple of interesting observations
I’d like to share with the group. 1) Eventually, your stoma will stretch
out and you will not be vomitting things up. Hence, more calories and
probable weight gain if one doesn’t change their eating habits and 2) There
may be more of a chance of an ulcer developing if food lies on the bottom of
the stomach and does not go down, (I had a revision of an original RNY).
Luckilly, I have started Adkins and am low-carbing as a way of life. I do
find that meats are even more difficult staying down…yes, I chew my food
well–most of the time. Not always, but for the most part… Well, that’s
about it for me. I would welcome anyone elses comments, thoughts,
experiences, or suggestions.
Kelley in Oklahoma
September 13th, 2004 at 8:18 am
I am sure I am very outdated in responding to this
since I have not had a moment all week to check my
email until now. For that I apologize. I want to
comment on the vomitting issue. I am 2 months out and
other than a couple days right after surgery I have
been fine. Once I had some indigestion but otherwise
I have been ok with almost anything I have eaten (even
beef) But all of a sudden last night I had some awful
pain and was vomiting the beef completely undigested.
Then I felt nauseated all day today even when drinking
water. I have considered myself very fortunate not to
have been sick all along like so many other people I
have talked to, but I must admit I am wondering if I
should be concerned that after 2 months of being fine
it starts. I don’t think I would have given it much
thought if it would have happened when I started on
solid food, but out of hte blue has really thrown me.
Am I overreacting?
Cassie
=====
A wise person doesn’t know all the answers, they just
know where to find them.
September 13th, 2004 at 4:33 pm
yepI would say you are overreacting to be worrying about it. What you need
to figure out is why it made you sick. After surgery you will throw up if
youget too full, eat too fast, don’t chew well enough, eat something that is
too dry or even too fatty. If you take too big of a bite or you drink at the
same time you can also get sick. One of those reasons probably caused you to
lose the beef. It is a normal response. The time to worry is if you are
THROWING UP everything you eat and drink — not even water stays down.
Denise Rasley
mailto: drasley@…
BTC, Columbus, 10/7/98