Kind of a funny vomit question.

My girlfriend who is 1 yr out is not feeling well. She is afraid to vomit. She said she does not know if she can, or how it will feel, or how productive it will be. This question has been on my mind since I read a BIG, long post on the regrest page about a woman who COULDNT vomit. (FYI - there was a whole big long story about her complications, I know this is not the norm.) But I have wondered about that. Has anyone been sick post-op and have had to vomit. Not just "PB'ing", but actual larger amounts of vomit. Sorry for the grossness content, buts its a real concern of mine. Being only 9 days out, (WWOOOHOOO!!!!!!) I have developed all these new questions I want to get answers to. Thanks, Bree

Well Bree- puking, tossing your cookies, chumming, barfing, praying to the porcelin god- whatever you want to call it- it's telling you "you was a bad bad gastric bypass patient and you should not have eaten that" Everybody has a moment where they either want to or do heave. INDUCED vomiting is not a good idea except in very specific cases of accidental ingestion of a poisonous substance..... it erodes the esophogus if it happens frequently. Feeling like you are gonna heave, and wishing you would for the relief factor- is common when you first start eating again and you pu**** either eating too fast, not chewing well enough, or just whatever can bring it on. Vomiting in the first month or so after surgery can be harmful- as the intense spasms can damage the suture/staple lines in your pouch. Does any of this help? Good luck in nine days!!!!

You know- technically- I wonder if that's TRUE for gastric bypassers, Bernadette.... You're a nurse- no? What do you think, if you thnik about our altered function? Basically, induced regualr vomiting in a 'normal' person will errode the esophagus (spelling?- sorry) becasue of the acids from your stomach eating away. But, since the pouch, as I understnad it, does not produce those acids (at least nowhere NEAR the quantity, if we prodcue them at all..which I think is the case) can it really have an effect like that? I don't think so. Now, that's not to say induced prolonged vomiting is GOOD for you- I'd be worried about ruining my pouch... But, anyway- it's just a though- I've got to go look this up. Can't believe a vomit question has me so curious... LOL. Best, Lisa C

Hi Bree, there is no doubt in my mind that you will cross the proverbial bridge sooner or later. It is no fun , but if there can be a good side it is that since we can only eat small amounts, thats all we out. So don't worry, it won't mirror the days of kneeling in front of the porceline alter after a night of hell raising. It still stinks and it's a great reminder to pay attention to the "Pouch Rules". So, just take your time eating and choose wisely and hopefully, you won't have to deal with this too often. Take Care, Julio

Thanks for the quick responses. But....I think I should have been a bit more specific. She is actually SICK. Like dizzy, with fever, and chills. I think its like the flu kind of thing. (like poor Julio) I was just thinking for instance, me, after surgery. Can you throw up like normal or does it hurt or not come up ???? Thanks again, Bree

Hi Bree, Yes, you will still be able to , will just do it in smaller amounts! Everything sill pretty much works the same. It's no fun, but it's no worse than before surgery. Take care, Julio P.S. The other end works the same way too so if you can't remember when you put something in the tupperwear container in the frig. Use the old saying as your guide,"when in doubt, Throw it out!"

An interesting question- which requires you to really think about the function of your pouch (unless of course you have lapband, which is totally different)...(BTW- I've known lapbanders who could projectile vomit more or less on command after surgery- but that's a gross story for another time- or perhaps, never...yuck!!) My understanding of how the pouch functions makes it a very different experience to 'vomit'... First off- you do not have the capacity for any quantity of food- so- you can't produce much. 2nd off- you don't have the gastric juices that aide digestion like a 'normal' stomach, so you're not going to get the same 'mixture' when you do. Third off- since food only stays in your pouch for a very short time, there is much less 'window of opportunity' for vomiting. At least, this is all as I see and have experienced it. Things, when they DO come up, come up much as they went down- plus this gross foam/slime. YUCK- trust me, you can live without experiencing it. Also, when you irritate the pouch enough to vomit- the irritation lasts MUCH longer than when you used to just upchuck and be done with it, feeling much better- thanks-very-much. It can take a day or more to get your pouch settled down again, any you will need to treat it gently in that time. Also, I have found that I am much LESS suseptible to vomiting associated with general sickness... it just doesn't 'happen' as much- probably for the reasons listed above...plus others that your Dr could better explain. Let's just say this- good that you're cruious- but, hope you don't find out first hand- OK? Best, lisa C

Bree, Thanks for asking this question. It is something I've always wondered about but didn't have the "guts" (hee hee) to ask. It's been pretty well explained here... so thanks for the info. hoping I don't find out first hand either. I agree with Lisa though.... I am usually a one flu-bug a year person. Maybe because of the pouch or healthier lifestyle or both I haven't had much more than a cold. (knocking on wood now) terri

Bree, I have already pushed my self a little to fast a few times. You learn quick though. The good thing is that it is quick, and very little is there to up. So it won't be like before. What I find hard is the anticipation. When I know I over did it and I know what is about to come. hugs, Chrissy