Question:
Will I ever get better?

I am 4 weeks post op. I did beautifully with the surgery--no complications at all that first week and hardly any pain. I was completely optimistic that if I did everything the doctor said I would be fine. But the second week I had trouble with water. Each day got progressively worse. I'm at the point now where I cannot eat or drink without dry heaving. I had another gastroscopy this past Monday and they found a very small stricture and he said my stomach was very inflamed. He stretched the stricture and changed my liquid zantac to prevacid. It's only been a couple of days since that, but if possible it's gotten worse. I spend most of my day on the floor of the bathroom. I am weak and starting to become afraid there is no help for this. I've lost 28 pounds and it means nothing to me because I feel so sick. I'm devestated that this is happening. I knew the risks going in, but he told me only 6% of patients develop complications. I had no reason to believe I'd be one of them. For any of you who've been through this, does it get better?    — Jodi H. (posted on July 10, 2002)

July 10, 2002
Hello, besides the stricture you could be talking about me. I had an open RNY 11-12-01, everything went beautifully, very nice receovery then the nausea starts. I threw up every day with dry heaving when I was on empty, and done this till I was about 6-8 weeks post op then it just dwindled away. By your 2 nd month you should be somewhat better. The first 6-8 weeks were the worst but it does get better and then it is all worth it. GOOD LUCK and try to stay positive (I know that is hard right now)
   — Lynda T.

July 10, 2002
A friend had something similar happen. As it turned out she had a stomach virus that made her vomit for 2 weeks. She was so dehydrated that she ended up in the hospital for 3 days for IV fluids. Please call your doc so he can check you closely. If you're mouth is dry, you're light headed or dizzy you're dehydrated. That's not something you want top mess with. Good Luck, Diane N.
   — DianeN

July 10, 2002
jodi i did not have severe nausea but i suffered bouts of nausea every time i ate for the first 3 months that i was post op. one day i realized i had not had nausea in almost a week & now at 6 mos out i experience nausea only when i either overeat or something doesnt get along with my pouch...which by the way i call 'little hitler' because it dictates my life. lolol. im sorry u r experiencing this, not everyone does, but rest assured, it will pass in time. good luck!
   — sheryl titone

July 10, 2002
I also had unrelenting nausea for about a month after initially having no problems. I layed curled up in a ball most of the time trying to get it to go away. I had a scope--no problems. I was hospitalized overnight for dehydration and started having a temp. They put me on an antibiotic and a few days later the fever and nausea went away. I must have had an infection that was causing the nausea. Hang in there, and be persistent about getting some help to relieve your nausea!
   — Brenda H.