Question:
What if you physically can not vomit?

I have had major esophageal surgery which prohibits me from vomiting. I have been unable to vomit for aver 10years. I have heard that there is a lot of vomiting post surgery. If you eat to much or even if foods do not agree with you. What will happen if I can not vomit? Any body have surgery called Nissen Fundoplication?    — Carol U. (posted on March 27, 2001)

March 26, 2001
Hi Carol, I had the Nisson in Aug.of 2000. I too cannot vomit. I was having a RNY but it puts us at greater risks with leaking/bleeding. When they "let down" the Nisson(which they have to do)it creates holes that need stitching and possible shredding where the Nisson is held together.It was also explained that they won't know until they get in there how the main blood supplies to the stomach are/have been affected. The pouch for the RNY is actually part of the Nisson which is why this is important. With that being said I am scheduled on 4/11 for a BPD/DS. This has a lot less risks for me and they don't have to undo the Nisson. I won't be able to throw up but I'll feel crapy for awhile. This may help me in guiding my eating and not to overdue it. I can tell you there are not alot of surgeons qualified to take down the Nisson who also do Gastric surgery. Many surgeons I spoke to told me they had never done it or it was too big. I went to one surgeon who backed out with less than 3 weeks. I finally found one in N.Y. and he was wonderful. Explained things that were never even explained. He truly knew what he was talking about. He also called a week later with the change to the DS due to the high risks and all. He really didn't want that to happen. So, now I have the best of both worlds(I think). I was told if the Nisson was undone you are looking at approx. 2 1/2 hrs. of additional surgeries.(providing no complications) Since your surgery was so long ago it could also be more difficult in letting the stitches out etc...I would make sure you have your operative notes from the Nisson. This will help the surgeon in knowing what was done before going in. If any questions please don't hesitate to contact me. I would make sure you ask LOTS of questions and don't have a surgeon who has never done this before do it.
   — Linda M.

July 12, 2001
I am 18 months post-op. I was vomitting for probably 2 months after surgery, but then all of a sudden it stopped. There are times now that I overeat and would LOVE to vomit and get over that horrible feeling. But to save my life, I cannot get anything to come back up. I stick my finger down my throat and can get nothing back up. It's not really a problem except in the rare event (maybe once a month) when I just really eat too much and have to sit and suffer for about 45 minutes until the food goes down.
   — Jeannie G.