Question:
Did anyone have a what felt like a knot at the top of their stomach

Sometimes it is very hard for me to stand straight up. It feels like someone is pulling down on my insides. It doesn't hurt but it is very uncomfortable.    — Loretta J. (posted on July 29, 2002)

July 29, 2002
l: yes, i'll be four weeks post op, 7/30 and last friday i peeled a granny smith, bit in to it -- it was so delicious, sucked out the juices and proceeded to eat the apple, a little at a time and i mashed it and mushed it, suddenly, i developed this pain in the tummy area, or pouch, and it really discomforted me, i didn't know what it was, i decided to drink some water, just a bit and it made it worse, i ended up putting my finger in the throat and made induced to throw-up, and all the apple mush came up. I had the same experience with a scrambled egg, twice, i will not eat an apple or real eggs again!!! wow -- it's from eating too much or not chew to good, i imagine... egg beaters for me!
   — deb F.

July 29, 2002
I have had the same type of experience as the last poster. I have eaten something only for it to feel like a rock sitting in my throat, but I am not sure if that is what you're referring to. I also have a tightness just behind my incision that feels like it is at the top of my stomach. When I sit with my shoulders rolled forward for very long (at the computer) it seems more severe when I try to stand up. The longer I sit or stand straight up, the less I notice the pulling. I think it may have something to do with the stomach muscles that were cut during surgery (mine was open). They have been through a great trauma and don't stretch as easily for a while. (For some people a long while!) So wether you meant a muscle pull or discomfort from eating you are not alone 'cause I've had both :)
   — Jenny S.

July 29, 2002
Yes, I did. As a matter of fact I still do. I don't know what tpe of bypass that you had, but I had RNY over a year ago. My doctor packed fat around the new pouch to protect it. It feels just like a knot in there. It's not as big as it was after surgery. Possibly due to my weight loss, but I'm not sure.
   — Shelley P.

July 29, 2002
Loretta, I read where you are about 2 weeks post-op. I had the same problem. My back rejoiced when I could finally stand upright again. I had lap rny, and I think it was a combination of the swelling and where the muscles were trying to find their way back to normal after being stretched and pulled. I guess it is worse for open procedures. Everytime I rolled over in bed, stood up, or walked, I thought my guts were going to spill out onto the floor. It gets better with time. If it helps, hold a pillow over your abdomen when you walk. After a while, you will be standing up straight with no problems. Good Luck.
   — Tina B.

July 29, 2002
Yeah it was 6-8 weeks before I could stand up straight. It's no fun, but it WILL pass.
   — Danmark