Question:
I HAVE NOT HAD A BM ALL WEEK AND I AM VOMITING AND I AM ON A LIQUID DIET.

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING AND THE DR DON'T SEEM TO CARE.    — Kimberly M. (posted on May 24, 2001)

May 24, 2001
The liquid diet is probably the main reason you are having no BMs as the liquid diet shouldn't break down into anything solid. I was on a liquid diet for several days to clean out my bowel in fact for a colonoscopy. This makes me believe that anything over 3 days of liquid diets should eliminate the need for bowel movements. Now the vomitting that is another story. Are you able to hold anything down? How many ounces are you taking it.. it could be your stoma closing, your taking liquid in too fast or too much or a number of problems. I sure hope it gets better soon.
   — Dawn R.

May 24, 2001
By no means do I mean to scare you, but, I too had the same symptoms you have. 2 wks post-op I couldn't hold any food down and had not had a bowel movement in a week (I was vomiting so much that I was vomiting bile). After 3-4 days of complaining to my doctor and trying every medication they suggested to have a bowel movement, they referred me to the ER. Well, after seeing the ER doctor and having an xray of my stomach, they ruled out a bowel obstruction .....Thank God! However, I was admitted to the hospital with post-op pancreatitis, dehydration, and low potassium levels (which can cause a heart attack). I was in the hospital for another week. Your symptoms can very well be nothing, or it can be serious like mine. Listen to your body, if you don't think it is normal don't wait for your doctor to tell you, take yourself to the ER. Let them rule out all of the possibilities. Better to be safe than sorry. I hope everything works out for you. Take Care
   — [Anonymous]