Question:
4 weeks post op...still fighting naseau all day long

I had RNY on Feb 27th, 2008. The mechanics of the surgery all seem to be working fine but I stay naseous all day long. When I throw up (no particular reason. Sometimes before I eat sometimes after. happening more often) all I get is dry heaves and saliva. I am on the phase 3 diet and when I can stand to eat I can keep it down. Dr. prescribed Reglan but doesn't seem to help. What am I doing wrong? Is this going to last forever? I've lost weight...probably too much! About 35 lbs. The only time I'm not naseous is when I'm asleep. I was put back in the hospital week 2 for a bladder infection and low potassium. I felt better in the hospital but the naseau started again 2 days after I got out.    — C. Burkhart (posted on March 31, 2008)

March 31, 2008
I stayed nauseated for about the 1st 6 weeks or so. Thankfully I never actually threw up but one time. My NUT told me not drinking enough can cause nausea. Be sure you are getting in your fluids. Everyone is different but that's what I can tell you to start with. It will pass!
   — juliebelle0402

March 31, 2008
I had VSG not RNY, but I agree with the last poster. You probably are not getting in your 64oz of liquids. Did they have you on an IV in the hospital. If they did that is why you were not nauseous. You were getting the requined fluids. Just a guess, but try drinking more. pat
   — pjennjr

March 31, 2008
A couple of reasons why you're nauseous. First, given your weight loss, you could be in ketosis (which means that you are burning your fat stores). The problem is that the ketones (which are resident in your saliva) are very irritating to the pouch. The only way to reduce the impact (because you don't want to go out of ketosis) is to increase your fluid intake (I used lots of warm broth b/c the hotter beverages seemed to help more). Also, you referenced that you had a bladder infection-- if you were given antibiotics (even liquid versions of them) your pouch could have been irritated by them. The stomach upset does eventually pass-- and the trade-off was well worth it for me.
   — SteveColarossi

April 1, 2008
You will probably not go through what I did, but I stayed nausated for the solid first 6 months, then on and off nausea daily for about another 6 months. It wasnt until about my 18 month that I finanly only had nausea occasionaly, and still do. I am now almost 3 years out and still have unexplained nausea. Granted, the further out I get, the better it gets. I keep phenergan at all times on me, just in case. Mine was so bad that I was begging the doctor to reverse me. He said he has about one patient a year that this happens to and it just happened to be me! I also never lost near goal, but have maintaned a 50 lb weight lost with no weight regain. My only advice to you is if you want to temporary come out of the ketosis is to slowly drink 1/2 and 1/2 white grape juice and wanter (4 cups total) over 4 hours and it will usually give you some tempoary relief from the nausea. You may email me if you like.... [email protected]
   — teresagrooms

April 2, 2008
Hi, I had a similar problem in which I was naseous, had dry heaves which increased by the day, and I was miserable. Finally, I found that hyperemesis can be caused by a lack of vitamin B, especially Vitamin B-1 Thiamine. I started taking Vitamin B-1 and within 1 hour my sick feeling went away and I have not thrown up since. It has been since Good Friday! They have special Vitamin B-1s for Bariatric patients at the Bariatric Advantage website - www.bariatricadvcantage.com. Finding this has given me my life back!!! I hope it helps you too!! Jill Johnson
   — tbjohn

April 2, 2008
Rest easy, you are not doing anything wrong! My surgeon says that htis is totally normal. I had it the first five weeks and was so nauseated that I could not even talk. My doctor gave me Zofran and it worked, it stopped in the fifth week. I would just wretch and wretch unitl I would bring up foam. Believe me it does get much better. I am 6 months out and have lost 89#'s. All of this takes time. Take your vitamins and cottage cheese with peaches worked well for me during that time! Good luck! Keep the faith! Lori in Michigan
   — reretheplaylady