Question:
This is kind of silly maybe, but I am very concerned about . . .

vomiting after surgery. I mean when I'm learning to eat with my new pouch, is this a given? I haven't thrown up for 17 years. (stange huh?) So it scares me to even think of that being a part of my life post-op. Is there anyone out there who hasn't had this problem at all? It seems like everyone does it. I have surgery May 23. Open RNY. I'm not afraid I may die, just don't let me puke ! ! LOL:)    — lerli1 (posted on April 12, 2002)

April 12, 2002
Lora, congratulations on your upcoming surgery!!! I'm sure you are going to do great! As for vomiting, I'll tell you my experience. I have vomited 8 - 9 times in my 18 months. EVERY SINGLE TIME has been because of my eating too quickly. Most foods I can eat quickly with no problem, but foods that can "gum up" have caused me to get sick (Chinese Rice noodles - you can chew all you want, but if you eat too quickly, it will just bunch up again). The other food that has caused me problems has been White Meat Chicken. I can have it as a meal 20 times, just woofing it down, but on the 21st time, it will get stuck. The bottom line is that if you eat slowly, and chew your food well (neither of which I do), it is unlikely you will throw up very often (if at all). Good luck to you !!! Kevin
   — meilankev

April 12, 2002
I am almost 15 mnths PO and have never thrown up once. Just go easy you will be fine.
   — Sue B.

April 12, 2002
It is a different kind of vomiting... in fact it isnt vomiting it is more like regurgitating. It comes up the same way it goes down. It's not a violent or disgusting action. No acid, no smell, no sore throat... it is just the same well chewed food coming back up. You control it... it isnt like you are sitting at the table and start to throw up. I will get a bad feeling in my chest like the food is stuck and it is a relief to regurgitate it. Plus it isnt a regular part of our life... just an occasional warning. I am 10 months post op and I regurgitated some of my dinner two nights ago... I ATE TOO MUCH FOOD FROM MY CHILDS PLATE AT CRACKER BARREL! I have always had a cast iron stomach... and I still do, but if I eat too fast or too much I get the 'warning'... maybe 10 times in 10 months. It isnt a big deal... dont fret about it.
   — SusanMaria

April 12, 2002
I'm only two months, but have been on solids since my 2 week check upand have never thrown up, no feeling sick at all. I measure my food and try not to eat too fast. I've taken pretty well to chewing a lot...it's second nature to me now to chomp until it's practically liquid. Maybe that helps too. My only problem is acid indigestion. I can burp like I've never burped before.
   — PaulaM

April 12, 2002
I am a week post op and have not had any nausea/vomiting at all, just a stuffed, uncomfortable feeling as the food tries to pass thru my stoma. Your new pouch doesn't have stomach acids, so if you do upchuck it shouldn't be too bad, just as the other posters have said. Frankly, I am amazed. I don't feel like I've had anything done to me at all...
   — rebeccamayhew

April 12, 2002
Hi Lora, the only time I had problems with 'regurgitating' is when I had 2 strictures and one time with rice. That is it. And like the others say, its just not the same as throwing up. And only you can control if it even happens by not eating too fast, too much. And its strange how we are all so different. Unlike the prev. poster that said that she burps a lot, I never burp. Its so strange. I do get the hiccups an awful lot, like every day! I also feel like I haven't had anything done. You will do great! 5 mo. PO, -71 lbs.
   — Cheri M.

April 12, 2002
I'm 7.5 yrs out, so lots of time for errors. The first year was probably the worst, with maybe 8 times? Usually my error, just learning how to eat more slowly, maybe 2 of those were food that didn't pass. In 1998, (4 yrs post), I got into trouble with carrots. Eating & talking, talking & eating, not chewing. But since then, not even once/year. And again, it's been because I'm busy with the social parts & forget to be hooked to my pouch & plate---just talking & eating, eating & talking, no brain work on my food. As the others say, it's nothing like The Flu. You're not bringing it up from your toes. You can even laugh almost as you do this, esp when you see what silly thing you did. It's just a step beyond a "hack", if I can be so crude. I'm not wild about it, so I do my best to avoid it. And that, indeed, is the whole point of a tiny pouch. Um, and I'm delighted that it is still working for me.
   — vitalady

April 12, 2002
It's not a silly worry. I feel the same way. I'm 2 months post-op and have thrown up only once in the first month. It was my own fault, because I was not paying attention to what I was eating and did not chew some spaghetti noodles. I hadn't thrown up for over a decade either pre-op. I HATE throwing up. However, I think it's important for you to know that throwing up post-op is entirely different from throwing up pre-op. Post-op vomiting did not involve nauseau for me. I had chest pain and then I vomited three times until the noodles came up. There was no smell and no nauseau. And afterwards, I was immediately fine - no lingering stomach upset. That being said, the chest pain was pretty bad and I've been very careful to chew all of my food thoroughly.
   — Kathy J.

April 12, 2002
I am almost 13 months out. I have thrown up exactly ONCE, on xmas eve, cause I had the stomach flu (that one vomiting session was the easiest thing I felt for the next 2 days). I never was much of a puker, anyway, and I am lucky to stay that way. I know there is a physical condition which makes you unable to vomit, which can be bad 'cause that is your body's "reject" button: I was a little worried that I couldn't vomit, and was somewhat revlieved to know that I can. Not that I plan to swallow anything poisonous or anything... Anyway, it was easy, no dry heaves or anything, if just sort of happened, no icky acid. I do feel nausea, which I know will happen cause I start to salivate like mad as my first sympton. Weird. Don't worry till you have something to worry about.
   — M. A. B.

April 12, 2002
10 mos post and NEVER thrown up. I am just like you with the aversion to throwing up. I can remember the exact date and time I threw up last-- several years ago. Anyway, I guess it depends on the person from what I read below but that it's not that big a deal. Good luck and God Bless! Your surgery is the day after my bday!
   — Kimberly L.

Click Here to Return