Question:
Have any post ops had spontaneous bleeding in their mouths?

Yesterday I was sitting at work talking to a co-worker when I tasted something foul in my mouth. I got a tissue and dabbed the inside of my mouth and there was blood there! I went to the bathroom and tried to wash my mouth out and see where the bleeding was coming from, but all I could tell was it was coming from the top right hand side. By the time I could really get a good look, the bleeding had stopped. Has anyone else had bleeding gums/teeth? I don't know that it is WLS related, but it's never happened to me before and I have always had very good dental hygiene and no real problems until now......any suggestions? By the way, I'm 2 1/2 months post open rny and down 42.5lbs., in case that matters.....thanks!    — Jenper (posted on October 26, 2001)

October 26, 2001
10/26 That is a very unusual phenomenon. I would definitely have a check-up with either the surgeon or your regular md. Spontaneous bleeding of the gums or in the mouth is not a normal circumstance in most circumstances. Could you have bit your cheek or somewhere else while you were talking? Maybe you have some lab values that are getting off kilter and causing this??? Only your md would be able to give you an educated guess after examining you or getting labs/tests done. I would want to check it out if it was me. You know, this type of surgery can have lots of different reactions with different people. No one person is exactly like another. Here's hoping it was nothing at all and it just happened to be a freak thing!!! By the way, your weight loss is great!!! Take care.
   — Karen M.

October 26, 2001
Hello Jennifer, Do you know what? I had my surgery about a month ago and for the past two weeks I have had spontaneous bleeding in my gums. For some reason it happens shortly after I eat. The bleeding seems to be comming from in between my top left back molar. It doesn't hurt, there is no swelling but the blood tastes horrible and stinks! I tried sucking it out and ended up filling a small dixie cup. My fiance' freaked out because he thought the blood was internal (comming from deep inside my stomach). He has been on my case to make an appointment with my dentis asap. The blood is a clear bright red and doesn't look to be rotten but it is just not normal for this to happen. I am going to my doctor's office next week and probably will go to see a dentist as well. Someone told me that it could be due to some vitamin deficiency. Whatever it is that is causing our gums to bleed probably isn't life threatening but we should definitely get it checked out by some professional. Better safe than sorry!
   — Naomi K.

November 23, 2001
I would contact my surgeon immediately. You could be bleeding internally and it is building up, coming up slowly. I hope this is not the case, but check to be safe. Good Luck!
   — [Anonymous]