Question:
Every time I eat my stomach hurts and is hard to the touch?

I am 6 years out. Every time I eat my stomach hurts so bad to the point I feel like I just don't want to eat hungry or not. I don't eat and drink at the same time. I chew my food properly....but I still hurt. I have tried all over the counter gas medicines. I have been chewing Tums and Rolaids like crazy to help with the pain. Does anyone have any suggestions, comments or something?    — lalaissweet (posted on April 24, 2008)

April 24, 2008
If it is hard to the touch it may not have anything to do with your surgery. I think I would call the dr. There may be something else going on.
   — Claudia C.

April 24, 2008
I would call my doctor ASAP and get seen. What you are experiencing is NOT normal. You need to be evaluated by your physician immediately. Good luck. gg
   — LOOKINTOLOSE

April 24, 2008
Anytime you have chronic pain like this, go to the experts and get it checked out...Chronic severe pain as you seem to have is a sign that something is wrong...especailly 6 years post op! Go to the hospital...or call your surgeon immediately! Don't wait!!! Good luck!
   — .Anita R.

April 24, 2008
Lela...you failed to describe the pain that you are experiencing...is it acute? severe? aching? chronic?...of course you should consult your doctor...however, as you seem to indicate...if you believe it is gas...try 1/2 tsp of fennel seeds with meals...it is great...check it out on naturopathic sites...also...I am six years out (and doing great)...but have similar stomach issues...I regularly eat yogurt with L. acidophilus...which is GREAT for digestion...and I use Swedish Bitters...hope it helps....Good Luck....
   — Samantha M.

April 24, 2008
I am not a medical practitioner but what you are describing sounds to me like a stricture. This is a common occurrence in some animals where the stomach can be twisted and cause a knot in the intestines. it causes pain and the belly to feel hard. I would go see a doctor IMMEDIATELY. This can OFTEN be resolved simply by just LOOKING at the stomach with a laproscopic camera! Putting the camera DOWN the esophagus and into the stomach will often relieve the pressure on the stricture and cause the normal operation of the intestinal tract to resume. I do not mean to panic you but I do hope that things are resolved satisfactorily soon. Best wishes, Hugh
   — hubarlow

April 24, 2008
I sometimes have the same thing happen right after I eat. I can feel my stomach get hard and it starts to hurt right near my pouch area. I thought it was gas too but now I wonder.... I'm going to check with my doc. You should too. Good luck to you!
   — RoosMom

April 24, 2008
Lela, you may have a gastric ulcer. You need to follow up with your surgeon and get checked out, but it could be something totally unrelated to wls. Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

April 25, 2008
I'm assuming that you haven't had this pain for 6 years so, something new and unusual for you is not good. Have it checked out please. If you had LapBand, maybe a little unfill might help. If Bypass- you could have a stricture. Usually with ulcers- your stomach hurts when it is empty- not after eating. Good luck, Dawn Vickers, RN, BLC
   — DawnVic