Question:
Help! Can't beat that queasy feeling. 6 wks post-op

Can someone please offer some advise? I can't seem to beat that queasy feeling. Sometimes I'm ok in the morning, but then it's all downhill after lunch. Sometimes I throw up, or sometimes it's just the dry heaves. The worst part is that whatever makes me sick, I develop an aversion for. The tought alone will make me sick. I don't think I'm eating too much or too fast, since I do watch my portions very carefully. Result: not eating enough, and not getting enough protein. NO energy either. Going to pick up my daughter from school is a major undertaking.    — Marika M. (posted on September 25, 2003)

September 24, 2003
When I get that queasy feeling, I will nibble on a saltine cracker (kinda like being pregnant). I also will get queasy if I haven't eaten enough. Is there anything that does settle your stomach down that you can "tweak" (For instance, if cream of chicken soup helps, add milk and powdered milk to get extra protein). Can you eat sugar free pudding and add powdered milk to it to double the protein? At this point (I'm 5 weeks out) if it takes foods that have carbs I don't worry about it if I am getting my protein. Sometimes just a piece of toasted wheat or whole grain bread will do the trick (add fat free cream cheese to boost protein). My suggestion would be to take what you can eat that your doctor allows and add anything to it that you can tolerate to get protein. Hope it gets easier!
   — Denise B.

September 25, 2003
I am 5 weeks post op and feel the same way. I hardly keep anything down and have aversion for almost every thing I am allowed to have. I am extremley weak and don't know how I could possibly return to work next week. I work retail and stand 8 hour shifts. I can only hope for an approvement soon since I am a single parent and can't afford much time off work. Good luck to you..it's gotta get better!
   — heyjude51

September 25, 2003
i feel the same as you do. last week i went to the hospital and had an upper GI done. i had open RNY and my new stomach was perfect, but the old stomach was filled with fluid. when i would eat or drink something the old stomach because it is filled with fluid would push against the new stomach making me feel sick.
   — franbvan

September 25, 2003
I am 7 weeeks post op and having the same problem can't keep anything down. Still working on fluids would welcome anyones advice on how to get past this. I have no energy either hoping this will pass but would love to hear from someone who had this and got past it.
   — S L.

September 25, 2003
I'm 5 1/2 weeks post-op and mild nausea is always around or very close. It seems, though I am not sure yet, that if I have enough protein I feel the best. I tried a protein bar and took about 4 hours to eat it and felt so good but then got bad gripe about 5 hours later and for an hour then next morning. I don't much like the protein powder drink but am trying to get it down more. Hopefully these posts aren't too discouraging to you, but it seems that this is a common problem at this early stage of recovery. I hope once I can get enough protein in I will feel better. I too would love to hear more about how patients got over this nausea. (soda crackers help me a little) I guess there is no magic trick, but more suggestions would be good to hear.
   — sissie S.

September 25, 2003
It stinks doesn't it? The only thing that helped me was drinking peppermint test (the real kind, made w/ peppermint leaves). I found it at GNC. Hang in there. Mine cleared up around my 9th week post-op.
   — mom2jtx3

September 25, 2003
Hi. I'm 4-1/2 weeks post op and suffer from the same problem as you--persistent nausea. My nausea is really bad in the a.m. It's a trial and error thing with our new "pouches". I'm still at home recovering from surgery but I know soon I'll be returning to work. However, what I do is drink my decaf tea in the morning then eat breakfast late in the a.m. My doctor's office suggests SF Carnation Instant Breakfast. Hope you feel better soon.
   — Mary P.

September 25, 2003
There is a relatively new prescription med that many have found to be effective. It is called Zofran. It comes in small tablet and liquid form. I would call and ask for a prescription to give it a try. Shelley
   — Shelley.

September 25, 2003
It does get better. I had constant nausea for the first 8 weeks. I wasn't eating enough. Make sure your getting in 800 calories a day. Also, ask your doctor for an anti-nausea medication. I used phenergan. It's wonderful!!
   — Patty H.

September 26, 2003
I am starting my 8th week postop. I'm on full fluids and if I try any type of solid food, I will feel nauseated for hours until I finally throw up. I get nauseated from eating a food that my pouch is not ready for. So in my case it is my fault. In the first few weeks po, I was nauseated and throwing up from water and broth! I was on clear fluids for 6 weeks and fealt sick most of the time until I started taking Zantac 3x a day. This kept my pouch, old stomach and intestines settled so I could get in some nutrition. Once you get some full fluids with some substance going through you, and you are at least a month po, you will feel alot better. I am not nauseated anymore unless I eat something dense like meat. Try to get in protein drinks and nsa carnation instant breakfast and make these with skim milk if you are not lactose intolerant. Don't worry about getting in all that you 'think' you should. In time you will feel better and be able to get more nutrition into you without feeling nauseated.
   — mary ann T.

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