Question:
I am six weeks post op and I ate some salmon and now I have a nasty pain

The pain is located just under my rib cage on the left side. Is it just from eating something different. Will it go away soon, it has been here for about three hours.    — Christine D. (posted on February 18, 2004)

February 17, 2004
I am no doctor but it could be gallbladder or like so many of us including me..we get a pain in this same area due to the surgery itself..I know I called my doctor at Mayo and was told this is the chief complaint they get..hope you feel better soon. This pain went away for me in several weeks.
   — Kathy S.

February 17, 2004
I had this pain also, except mine is on the right side - where your gallbladder is. Mine is out. My doctor did a cat scan and everything was normal. They told me it was "gas". I still get the pain at times, but isn't as bad as it was. Try to go to the bathroom or just lie still for awhile. I am 3 months out and today go for my checkup today.
   — carol18

February 17, 2004
Christine- By now the pain has most likely gone away, if not call you doctor. Salmon has a lot of oil in it. It is good oil for our bodies, but this early post-op it could be too much for your new tummy. Wait another month and try it again. Cheryl S. 21 months -150lbs
   — Cheryl S.

February 18, 2004
Hi, I am 6 wk post op today. If you are still having pain you should contact your doctor. You may not have chewed well enough or something. Best of luck to you.
   — Carolyn B.

February 18, 2004
When I was early out I could eat almost anything, chicken, beef, fish, except salmon. It always got stuck. I am 7 months our now and still stay away from salmon for fear of it sticking. Frothing is the worst. Best,
   — WendieS

February 18, 2004
Christine, salmon did the same thing to me..exactly..when I was a fairly new post-op. Its just painful and can last for hours, but does go away. I eat salmon now but in small amounts and fresh and very slowly. I found that it also happens if I eat reheated fish-go figure. I had a great tilapia fish dinner at a restaurant last weekend and brought home enough leftovers for 2 more meals. At the last meal, I had the same thing happen -pain that lasted for a few hours and I am 2 years post-op!!!
   — Cindy R.

February 19, 2004
Christine, Salmon might be too heavy a food at this time - it was for me - I still have a problem eating it, but I love it. I also notice that it cannot and must not be overcooked - your esphopcus (sp) just cannot take it yet. Some Post-ops can eat anything and some cannot (like us) LOL.
   — Anna M.

February 21, 2004
Ya know it's funny, but I never had a problem with Salmon but give me Talapia and I'm in the bathroom sick! Also reheating is an absolute "no no" for me as well! You may want to just concentrate on drinking as much as you can to try to flush your system as it could be just sitting in the intestine stuck. The added fluids may help move things along. I have a friend who had a similar situation but with a protein bar that was too dense (she's 1 1/2 years out!) and ended up in the ER. They saw what appeared to be a blockage on the x-ray but after plenty of IV fluids it passed without any surgery! Good luck to you! Lap RNY 7/11/03 231/150
   — Shelly R.