Question:
Why can't I keep my food down?

For the past three weeks I've been having problems keeping food down. I've tried soft foods, liquid protein shakes and anything that I could think that would stay down. Alot of times my water even comes back up. Please help. I'm 4 weeks post-op. Thank you.    — oldchevys (posted on March 2, 2008)

March 2, 2008
You need to contact your surgeon to see if there is a problem. Not keeping food down is a signal something may need your doctors attention
   — Dave Chambers

March 2, 2008
Sounds like you may have scare tissue closing your pouch up. It is a simple proceedure that can be done in the doctors office or in the hospital as an out paitient to inflate the opening with a baloon, to strech it larger. They give you a drug to let you sleep during the proceedure, and you go home afterward. They can also do an exray to see if liquids pass and how fast. Call your doctor and I am sure he will have you come in. It is normal to throw up in the first 2-3 weeks several times, and when you do the water comes back up, but it sounds like food is not getting past the pouch. You mich have just a small opening that is allowing only limited liquids through.
   — William (Bill) wmil

March 2, 2008
I think you have a stricture. You need to call your doctor and have him dialate you. It is a very common.
   — longislandamy

March 2, 2008
Hi, I too am 4 weeks post op with RNY. I too have had this problem for 4 days now. I had to call my surgeon on Sat morningn because I couldn't take it anymore. I have an appointment with the GI doc tomorrow so they can check to see if I have a stricture; which happens in 10% of patients. Mysurgeon put me back on liquids only. He said 30cc's of liquid an hour like when in the hospital. I am also eating sf popcycles, which goes down better than the water. I would get it checked because if it's a stricture; it won't get better on its own. Good Luck.
   — hatda

March 3, 2008
Strictures are fairly common for post-RNYers. Please call your surgeon and ask to see a GI doctor for a scope. Only then can you be sure whether or not a stricture is causing the problem. My stricture started giving me problems at around 4 weeks, and I waited until 10 weeks to have it fixed... when I was admitted to the hospital for 3 days because of the stricture and dehydration. You need your nutrition and fluids to stay healthy. Don't be afraid to call the surgeon.
   — gonnadoit

March 5, 2008
You don't necessarily have a stricture. You may be swallowing too much air, or eating too fast. I was sure I was eating slowly, but had the same problem. I had to blow all my air out, them take a sip of a beverage, and then breathe out from my nose as I swallowed. It took a little while, but I finally was able to keep things down. Hope that's all it is for you. Let us know!
   — Susan O.