Question:
I am vomiting a lot

I had my surgery 3/9/07 and was fine for quite awhile with no vomiting. Now I vomit almost daily. I know this is normal, but is there anything i can do to get it to stop after like the first time. I usually don't stop with one vomit, it is usually 5-10 vomits when it occurs. Any ideas on making this easier because I know there are a lot of you that know exactly how I am feeling.    — missyheffelfinger (posted on April 23, 2007)

April 23, 2007
Hi Missy, I am sorry you are dealing with this. But let me tell you that throwing up is not the norm. I think you need to call your surgeon and have them check you for a stricture and ulcer. My friend had surgery in February and she was vomiting all the time and they found she had both things. Please get checked immediately you can get very dehydrated and malnourished. Best wishes Cira
   — Cira S.

April 23, 2007
Hi Missy... as the previous poster said .. vomiting daily is NOT normal. Occasional vomiting when you have tried a new food that has not agreed with you, etc. What are you eating, drinking? How much are you taking in daily? Is the vomiting only happening once daily or everytime that you try to eat? If you are maintaining the soft food diet (pureed) and not exceeding 1/2 - 3/4 cup at one time ... at one time meaning that it should be taking you at least 20-25 minutes to eat that amount... then I would be speaking with your surgeon. It may be a stricture. If you are on pureed diet, have you tried reverting back to liquid for a couple of days to allow your stomach to rest and then restarting SLOWLY with pureed bland foods? It is not good to vomit that much as my surgeon told me that vomiting can lead to scar tissue build up due to the constant irritation. Good luck to you.
   — Kari_K

April 23, 2007
It is not normal to vomit daily. You may have a stricture, a common side effect after surgery. You must call your doctor immediately and let him know what's happening. Vomiting can also happen if you eat too fast or don't chew well or eat the wrong types of foods.
   — Sheri A.

April 24, 2007
well, I vomit constantly. I know that I am eating and drinking too much and/or too fast. My frantic eating behaviors have somewhat stepped up as the band's novelty has worn off. Today, I had a beef stew. I knew that anymore than one piece of beef cut-up into two smaller bites and chewed ultra-slowly would be too much. But I ate it anyway. I crave ice cold water for some reason. And I will have 3 oz @ a time rather than sip it over an hour. I know I am fighting the band -- in counseling -- working hard to bring my mind around. I am just not willing to see food and have only one bite every 3 or 5 minutes. But that's what it takes for me to not vomit. I'm pulling for you!!
   — kcarrico

April 24, 2007
Hi again Missy, vomitting is NOT normal. Honey, please call your surgeon, you could have stricture. If you are not eating the wrong things or too fast, it could be stricture. I notice you ask questions every day, and I am concerned for you that you have not educated yourself about this surgery or what to expect. I don't mean to be rude at all Missy, but I really encourage you to buy a book or two and get yourself some support, you sound like you really need it. On line is only one way, your hospital also should have support groups. Take care Missy and I really hope you call your surgeon. Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

April 24, 2007
Well, I am going to disagree with all other postings. I have my RNY two years ago. I went through almost a year of vomiting or what my surgeon called "Frothings" and yes that is one of the side effects. It now has passed and happenes only once in a while. So my question to you would be, is it a bubbly foamly type of vomit along with the food? This might be something to talk to your doc about. Good Luck
   — WilsonCrimson

April 26, 2007
I disagree too. I am 8 months out and I still have the foamies, frothing, and vomit only from time to time. I went thru a spell where I vomited up everything. I had no stricture, or anything like that. I knew it to be a side affect, and knew also that it would pass. Checking with your surgeon is certainly advisable, but to say it is not normal is wrong. Everyone is different, and of course it cannot be the same for each of us, but things can certainly be shared. This site is for asking and sharing, and that appears to be what Missy is doing.
   — dessary316