Question:
Help!!! I'm 5 weeks post op & can't stop throwing up.

Please help, I'm 5 weeks post op & have thrown up almost daily. I called my surgeon & their answer is I am drinking & eating too much. I only take sips of water & try to chew very slowly. I eat different things from soft foods, protein drinks, chicken, fish etc. I eat 3 very small meals a day. My second problem is pain under my left breast I called the surgeon once again (they wouldn't let me leave a message for the nurse I had to talk to someone in the office) I explained my pain she said I wasn't eating enough fiber, to take Milk of Magnesia? Why won't they let me talk to the nurse? My pain is a constant dull pain under my left breast. I did try two bites of pasta today? Do you think that it the problem? I am so so so worried about my pouch expanding due to throwing up can you help me? Thank you so much for all your help.    — Kelly E. (posted on September 15, 2001)

September 15, 2001
I am so sorry to hear you are not feeling well. Are you drinking and eating at the same time? You need to wait 30 minutes between taking solid food and drinking, your pouch cannot hold a lot a one time. Also are you eating very, very slowly? Let me know please. I'm concerned. If this does not help instead of calling can you make an appointment to see the surgeon and discuss this in person?
   — Karen Renee

September 15, 2001
In our WLS classes, we were told that if you throw up a bit, it can be from eating too fast, eating too much, or eating high-fat, greasy, spicy or sweet things. But they EMPHASIZED that if you are throwing up a LOT or on an ONGOING BASIS, like you are, it means that SOMETHING IS WRONG and get in to see the doctor ASAP - you could have a blockage or a stricture and it needs to be treated quickly. Don't let them put you off - insist they get you in right away, as we were told over and over again that THIS is serious. Good luck to you with this.
   — Lisa D.

September 15, 2001
I also experienced almost daily vomiting for weeks. I don't know what kind of surgery you had, but I had lap RNY on 6/26/01. Three days ago I threw up brown liquid (they said it was old blood), and it usually hurt to eat. That put a scare in me so yesterday I had an endoscopy. It turned out that I had a stricture, which is narrowing of the anastomosis (the outlet from the pouch to the intestine). The doc used a balloon to enlarge the opening from 8mm to 15mm. What a relief! So far I haven't thrown up and eating feels much better. Feel free to email me directly if you want more info.<br> Regarding the pain under your left breast, this is a fairly common problem (I had it too). The same question was asked about 10 days ago. You can see the answers here: http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/question.phtml?N=999770100&Search_Word=pain
   — Jonathan M.

September 15, 2001
Actually, since you are smart enough to recognize that it MIGHT have been behavioral AND you changed it, then it might be safe to go to the next step. If your surgeon will not see you, perhaps a local gastroenerologist or other general surgeon who can perform the endoscopy. You are correct in thinking you cannot go on like this. AS you've seen, it's a fairly simple fix once you get to it. I'd recommend you present any local doc with your op report and a sketch of your surgery, however, JUST to be safe.
   — vitalady

September 15, 2001
Hi Kelly! I am about 6 weeks out, and here lately I have been throwing up everyday. I think my problem is that I eat too fast, am not chewing properly, and I know that hamburger or any type of meat and I don't mix. If I eat sugar free pudding or anything mushy I'm ok. I have a Doctors appoinment on Monday, so I plan on discussing this with him. If you are chewing your food properly and eating what your supposed to slowly, then you should call your doctor. There maybe something else wrong that needs immediate attention.
   — Carey N.