Question:
YUK today was the first time that I have thrown up

vomited since my surgery nearly five weeks ago. I threw up my lunch and felt better. About 1/2 hour later I felt sick again. This time when I threw up it was just foamy gunk. Does anyone know what that is? Is it normal? Also, I'm trying to sip water now and it makes me feel nauseated. Any suggestions on what I should do? Thanks so much. Lisa    — Lisa D. (posted on October 14, 2003)

October 14, 2003
Don't worry about the foamy stuff - that's normal. Usually I would throw it up before the food came up. Sip your water very slowly and wait a while before trying to eat. My surgeon suggests going back to liquids for 24 hours to give the pouch time to settle down. However, I never had to wait that long before eating again.
   — Patty_Butler

October 14, 2003
Same here. The foam usually happens first. I've only thrown up about 5 or 6 times but one time I just couldn't seem to get enough up to make me feel better so I had to vomit about 3 or 4 times. It usually takes a day or so before I feel able to eat. Hope this helps!
   — Pambylah

October 14, 2003
Foam is normal. When I feel that foamy-ness in my throat I know I am headed to the bathroom asap. Sometimes I have to induce the vomitting, but afterward I feel so much better, usually within an hour. I am 12 months postop and didn't start throwing up until I was 5 months out. It is usually caused from hidden fats in the foods I eat when I am not paying enough attention. Terrible wake up call, but it always gets be back on track for the week.
   — ckreh

October 15, 2003
Totally normal, I promise. My body suddenly told me that eggs were not going to be "it" for the time being and I lost them along with whatever liquid remained in my stomach. The foam is just that, so don't worry. What worked pre-op often isn't wanted at all by the body post-op. It will change, hang in there! - Deborah open RNY 10/25/03 226 at surgery
   — Deborah M.

October 15, 2003
I had that problem around the same time as you. It lasted about a month. I called the doctor and he said the foam and mucus if you have that, is part of the healing process. About a month later it finally went away. It didn't happen all the time. Usually when things bothered my tummy. I learned within a few bites what bothered me and stopped eating it. Regarding water, it too bothered me. But I could drink the flavored waters like Propel water. But now I found Walgreen's Flavor h20. I love the peach flavor and drink it all the time. I had some plain water the other day and found it no longer bothers me but I still love my flavored water better! Hang in there! This too, shall pass. Gail, 3 1/2 months out, down 63 pounds.
   — GailV

October 15, 2003
If it continues, it might not be nothing. At 5 weeks out I started to have the same thing. I first threw up something that I had eaten a million times and I had never thrown up before, then I started to get sick on soup then broth and then water. I called my doctor after 3 days of vomitting and he sent me to the ER - he said that if I am throwing up frothy foam, it could be that my stoma was beginning to close. That is exactly what was happening. I had a scope and had a procedure where they reopen the stoma with a little balloon. After that I felt great. So keep an eye on it and do not let it go on to long.
   — tara821