Question:
For the longer term post-ops

I am 3 years post-op and everything I eat makes me sick. This includes fruit and crackers. After one bite I feel nauseous and full. My stomach bloats (looks like I am about 5 months pregnant) and feels like my pouch is having spasms. I also get this really bad pain in my chest, and a burning sensation into my neck and down my arm. Have had this checked with a cardiologist and everything seems fine. Anyone else have this problem?    — Jadyn (posted on August 29, 2006)

August 29, 2006
I am sorry to answer you becuase I onlyhad my surgery 2 month ago. But it sounds like you should call your surgen asap. I hope everything will be well. God Bless
   — olga8

August 29, 2006
I see your surgery was done here, local to me. Can you come back here to be scoped, UGI, or whatever? Your doc has been around the block a few times, so I am confident he'd get to the bottom of your issues. Something's not right. This doesn't just "happen" when you're a few years out.
   — vitalady

August 29, 2006
You need to have your bowels checked. I have several friends that are 3+ years post op and have developed bowel problems. One friend had to have some of her small intesin removed. Go on the web and look up prolaspe and neotrophy, both deal with the enlargement of bowels. Some people have had blocked bowels, I am not a doctor, but I believe because our stomach no longer chews our food the bowels have to chew food and that is not what they are made to do. It sounds like you might have a blocked bowel, I think that we are not told about this might happen once you are 3+ years out from surgery, because the WLS surgeons just don't really know.
   — cindy

August 30, 2006
I am two years out and I don't eat very much either. If I do I get pretty sick. A eating disorder doctor told me last night at our support group that I need to get in to my doctor and get checked for Anerexia. He said that I have all the sypmtoms of it. I just can't get protien down. I don't get any pain down my arm or in my chest. Have you had a liver function test? My sister had liver disease and she had all those symptoms that you are discribing. I don't want to worry you but I would just get it checked to be on the safe side. Hope that I helped and if you have any more questions I would be happy to help if I can. Take care and God Bless, Your WL sister, Cathy
   — newcat

August 30, 2006
I have the same problem. I went to see my surgeon and I have to get a endoscopy test done on 9/13 to check for hernias, acid reflux, and bleeding ulcers.
   — MarkietaKennedy

August 30, 2006
Fruit is loaded with frustose (sugar) and you can dump on it, which causes pain and bloating. Crackers are very dry and have no nutritional benefit - just plain carbs. How are you doing on lean proteins? Have you tried sugar-free protein shakes? This is what will help you get your nutrition along with all the supplements you should be taking.
   — j_coulter

August 30, 2006
Your symptoms are also very similar to those that would occur with gastroparesis(GP) or a motility problem. With GP the stomach doesn't do the work it should and so food sits in your stomach for too long of a time. Early fullness and nausea happen because food fromm previous meals isn't digested so there isn't room for more. Bloating happens because food starts to breakdown and gives off gases that cause bloating. People with GP and motility problems often have issues with the esophagus which can cause the pain in the chest. Not sure about the neck and arm thing. I'm not saying you do have GP or a motility problem.... just trying to give you info so you can check it out or yourself. No matter what happens, you should see someone about this... your surgeon, your pcp, or a GI specialist. If you don't get any answers, keep looking as this is not at all normal. Best wish-Sid
   — mrsidknee

September 1, 2006
nausea and vomiting are not normal symptoms and yo really need to be assesed by your doctor. Please call them asap and let us know how you are.
   — **willow**

September 10, 2006
I recently had some of the problems that you've described but not the burning in my arm. Anyway after an endoscopy they discovered that I had a large ulcer. I was put on protonix twice a day and everything seems to have cleared up.
   — citygirl1971

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