Question:
I'm 3 weeks post op and I haven't eaten or drinken anything in almost 2 weeks.

I saw my doctor at 1 week post-op and he told me it was ok to eat solid foods now. I called my doctors office friday to tell them I can't hold anything down and they told me this was normal, they told me to get protien shakes and gatorade, not ensure and stay on liquids for three days and then try solids again. Then if I vomitted again to go back on liquids for three days. They told me to repeat this until i could hold food down, they told me this might go on anywhere from 1 to 4 weeks, but I am a little worried because I have two small daughters, and I took them to church this past sunday and I almost passed out. Is there anything I can do? Has anyone else expierenced this and ended up being able to get anything down? Your help is much appreciated, Thanks in advance for the answers.    — tjmoore (posted on February 18, 2002)

February 18, 2002
Hi. Sounds like you're dehydrated. Call today and insist on an urgent appointment to see your surgeon. If you nearly passed out, you are certainly in a fluid deficit and likely have electrolyte imbalances. If your surgeon can't/won't see you today, call your PCP. You should have your lytes checked. If you truly haven't had much to drink in the last two weeks, you may need IV fluids. JK, RN
   — Joya K.

February 18, 2002
ANYONE WHO IS NOT GETTING ANY FLUIDS IN NEEDS TO BE SEEN BY THE SURGEON ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS, IF NOT GO TO THE ER. i'VE READ SOME VERY SERIOUS THINGS HAPPENING TO OTHERS. DO NOT WAIT.
   — [Anonymous]

February 18, 2002
No matter what your doctor says, get to the ER NOW. Dehydration is not a minor thing and MUST be treated. Also, if you cannot keep anything down, you stoma may be too small and need to be stretched. It is NOT normal not to eat or drink anything for 2 weeks. You MUST get some medical attention now.
   — garw

February 18, 2002
I couldn't keep down a thing until almost 3 months post-op. I was even throwing up water at one point. I ended up in the ER three times with dehydration. Take my advice - this is VERY serious stuff, and you need to see your surgeon immediately. Not being able to eat is one thing, but when you can't keep fluids down, you need to be scoped immediately.
   — Terissa R.