nausea??

Does anyone have any suggestions for nausea?? Im having it terrible. This is day 4, and Im not sure if Im nauseated because Im not drinking enough, if its because Im drinking too much, or maybe to fast? But it seems like whenever I get up and move around, or if I drink something, the nausea kicks in. The only way I can get rid of it is to lay down for awhile. But it seems like as soon as I get up and drink again, it starts all over. Is this normal in the first week? I feel like Im not getting enough to drink since Ive been working on a bottle of water since 6am today and its now 3:15 and Im just under a half. Anybody have any ideas? I dont want to start complaining already but I feel like crap lol..Thanks Karen

HI Karen, I just tried to post a long note you ya, and my computer messed up so I will try again. Its only been 4 days, so remember you just had major surgery, and your body needs all the rest it can get right now. Try putting pillows behind you so that you are a little elevated. When you want to get up, try sitting for a few minutes, then slowly stand up. I had a lot of trouble getting my water in, just cold water. I had no problem with ice, chicken broth, tea, sf popsicles, the popsicles feel wonderful. Sometimes when I would try to drink water it would hurt going down and I was taking tiny sips. That is another thing make sure you sip not gulp, it hurts. If you are taking any pain meds, they may also make you feel sick. I had some dizzy spells for a few weeks. But that went away. So try some warm things they may go in easier and try not to take in too much at one time. And REST REST REST your body needs to heal. Hope this helps I wish you the best, Shannon 257/202/130???

Hi Shannon. Thanks for your help. Im kinda of sick of being sick lol. I tried 2oz of a protein drink earlier today and it was actually a little better. I am kind of thinking I wasnt getting enough and maybe a little dehydrated which was causing the nausea. I just had some jello too. I think i might have been a little too cautious lol. I think i will try your advice and have some decaf tea in the morning to see if that helps too. Thanks for everything. Karen

Hi Karen, Sorry to hear you are not feeling so well. Lord do I know about how horrible it feels to feel nauseous. Ah yes my good old friend, nausea. I am sure you just need some time to let things settle, but on the other hand, its really annoying to feel that way all the time. You can try peppermint oil and peppermint tea. That helps me alittle. If you are beyond miserable and its persistant you can ask the surgeon/gi doctor for an RX for zofran or compazine. IMO Zofran wonders better. Feel good.

Thanks Tavia. I think im actually feeling a little better now (crossing my fingers). At this moment im attempting some decaf coffee, trying the warm thing as Shannon suggested. I did feel fine last night after drinking 2oz of protein drink so Im leaning toward the cause being that I was getting too little. But we shall see. I know from reading your posts that you are the queen of nausea so if it continues i will follow your suggestions. Who would know better than you right? lol..im sure you would love to change your title to something along the lines of "queen of feel great" right? I hope that happens for you soon. Thanks Karen

Karen: Dehydration surely can cause nausea, which can become a VICIOUS cycle until broken, some even end up postop in the ER for IV therapy! Here is my info on fluids early postop I send my group members! SIP SIP SIP!!!! Focus on Fluids One of the main challenges for a gastric bypass patient over time is to maintain hydration. Your body needs just as much fluid after the surgery as it did before surgery, yet the new stomach pouch limits you to 1-2 ounces at a time. (NO MORE GUZZLING! for most of us) Maintenance of fluid intake may also be difficult because of the necessity to take in food or fluids, and not both at once. You must compensate for this by taking small amounts of fluid on a near-constant basis. Usually this means that you should carry your fluid source with you at all times. *** We cannot overemphasize that the liquid must be a caffeine, carbonation & calorie-free. Patients who use fruit juice or other calorie-containing liquids for hydration may experience inadequate weight loss because of the calories in these fluids, and can experience dumping syndrome from the sugar. Caffeine is a possible appetite-stimulant, diuretic and irritant and can potentially cause ulcers in the new pouch and add to dehydration and low-iron blood (which we already poorly absorb iron post-op). Carbonation can possibly cause gastric irritation, if carbonated beverage also contains phosphorus it may act to leach calcium out of bones, and some feel it may stretch pouch/stoma. Drinking at least 64 ounces of fluids post-op is a necessity. Water is the body's best source, and serves the purpose to aid digestion and absorption of food; it regulates temperature and circulation, carries nutrients and O2 to the cells of the body and removes toxins and waste. Dehydration can cause/aggravate constipation, kidney stones, urinary infections, high or low blood pressure, difficulty controlling diabetes and migraines. Dizziness, clumsiness, NAUSEA, muscle cramps in arms and legs, dark yellow urine, fatigue, irritability, are sunken eyes, low blood pressure and fainting, bloating, and a fast, weak pulse -- are signs that dehydration is setting in. Fluids should be consumed on a near-constant basis, but not during meals and not soon following food. If you drink during your meal, you will tend to wash the food out of the stomach pouch, and consume more food than is desirable. It may seem strange at first to eat without drinking but it works fine. A good tip here is to actually not have any fluid on the table while you are eating. In addition to reducing your overall food intake, this new habit will encourage you to chew more thoroughly before swallowing, because you will not count on the fluid to wash down half-chewed food. Also note that soup is kind of like drinking liquids with food - soup is not an absolute "no-no" but recognize that it should not be a regular part of your diet. Liquids should not be consumed for about 30-60 minutes after eating. This is because the food actually forms a plug that blocks the outlet from the pouch until it has all passed through. If you drink liquids on top of this plug it will create a very uncomfortable sensation and may also force food downstream more quickly than it should go. A brief review on coordinating liquids and food: ~Sip liquids constantly, even just before eating. Don't drink liquids while eating. ~Don't drink liquids until about one hour after completing your meal. ~When the stomach pouch is mature (six months or more after surgery) it is useful to wait two or three hours after eating before consuming liquid. If you must choose between liquids and food (frequently true in the first months after gastric bypass) - choose liquids! ***TIP Keep a journal of each hour in a day for the first week of fluids. Write down what you drink in the hour and what activity you do! You should move every 1-2 hrs even if it is just walking around the house to avoid respiratory or circulation problems. This helps keep you mindful! Remember you cannot catch up on fluids later in the day OR take a 2 L soda bottle empty and fill it each time you sip some fluid with same amount this is a great visual as to how far to go and how much u have drank, set midday to have it 1/2 gone!!!! I agree a ginger tea (Yogi brand) or pepermint tea (I like Bigelow plantation mint decaf) helps ease a queasy tummy...Sometimes try warm vs cold or visa versa to get fluids in. Do not nap more than a hr at a time or your far behind on fluids! Wishing you well! Take Care, Jamie Lap RNY 10/9/02 Dr. Singh 320/163 5'9'' (lost 45# before surgery) Plastics 6/9/04 & 11/11/2005 Dr. King http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/members/profile.php?N=c1132518510 "Being happy doesn't mean everything's perfect, it just means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections!"

Thanks Jamie. All your info helped alot. I think I spoke to soon when I said I was feeling better, cause thats just not the case anymore. I am definitely not getting in 64 oz of liquid a day. Actually im fighting to get down 1 16oz bottle of water a day and 4oz of protein drink. It seems like the more I drink, the more nauseated Im getting. The only thing that stops the nausea is to lay down. But as soon as I get up and start drinking, the nausea starts all over, if it ever really goes away. Im going to attempt your suggestions as far as drinking constantly. I kinda think im being to cautious. Ive read so many times how if you over eat or over drink you will vomit and being only 5 days out of surgery I can only imagine how painful that would be. You said that I should be drinking constantly? Ive read that im only supposed to drink 2oz every 10 minutes...is that not the case?? And what if I drink too much, wont the pouch get full? Uggh..im getting very frustrated and I dont want to feel that way. Im finding myself asking myself why i did this even though I know why. But this nausea and light headedness is crazy. I talked to my Dr. yesterday and he says nausea is normal but if it continues he could give me something for it, but if its just because Im getting dehydrated thats not gonna help my problem. So i guess my question is...Should I drink constantly..sipping i know, but none the less, sip after sip after sip..?? THanks for your help. Karen