OK, Weird question, but here goes.....

My daughter had a bad stomach / intestinal virus (24 hr) this past Sat.  Both ends, cramping real bad.  In fact, we suspected food poisening, but she turned out OK. By Sunday, I had the Diarhea part of this thing.  In fact I lost another 10 lbs.  But I never threw up. Here's the wierd question:  Why?  Was it because my stomach is sealed off.  (RNY)  My pouch contains no acids or digestive juices for the virus to multiply.  I suspected that because the old stomach is really sealed off now, the virus didn't  make it there.  No Compaints, just wondering if any other RNY'ers ever get the stomach virus and intense vomiting.  Seems as something I would want to avoid. PS.  I am 11 months out and I never get sick. 385 / 222 / 190 Jeff W. Waldrop Westlake LA

Hey Jeff... good question... I thought most virisus like that were intestional..not stomach...and that when stuff backed up and you vomited it was because the intestine was irritated...not because there was in infection in your stomach...people just said stomach virus, because it was easier to under stand...I might be wrong.... the stomach is generally awash with HCL, so I don't know how easy a virus would be to live there...does that make sense???? Oh congrats on the 10# Russ

Hey JWW Let me put on my teaching hat before I begin.  There, that's much better.  First, You do still have stomach acid and juices in your pouch it is just much less of them due to the size of the pouch.  Also, your "old" stomach is still connected (albeit a little further down the tracks) and it still produces all of the "juices" that it once did.  It's just now they meet the food a little lower in the intestinal track.  It wasbecause of the old stomach and juices that caused the complication I had after surgery. I've found that the longer I am away from surgery (27 months now) the harder it is for me to throw-up.  There are many times I wish I would, but just can't.  I don't know the virus/stomach connection. I'm glad everything is okay now. WAD

Jeff, I had Big Ole bouts of "Dry Heaves" early on, But, To Date… I have Never thrown up since my surgery. Zero, Zip. Felt like it once when I got a bite of bagel stuck in my pouch. But even trying to Barf, nothing, just foamy spit. Larry’s got the anatomy lesson covered there. I’d only add that the muscular arrangement after an RNY Makes the "Gushing-Toilet-Hugging-Ralphs-of-College-days-and-Tequila" Near impossible. Oddly enough- your P.S.? I have not had but one "Cold/Flu" episode since surgery either…. I have No explanation for that. Better Nutrition = Better immunities? Possible… Best Wishes- Dx