Question:
How long will it be before I can hold food down?

I am 2 weeks post-op, lap RNY. I have lost 30 lbs since the surgery, but cannot hold anything down. About 3 days ago, I tried eating some soft solids like cottage cheese, yogurt, and toast after my post-op follow-up with my surgeon. Ever since then, I have been vomiting and feeling nauseous pretty much 24 hours a day. Today I decided that I would only do liquids until my stomach settled down a little bit. I can't even hold down water now! I can't drink my Carnation Instant Breakfast (my protein source), and I'm worried that I may become malnourished. I almost went to the hospital today to get an IV, but started sucking on ice chips instead. That has helped a little bit. When I sit upright, my stomach starts making these weird "digesting" noises, so I go lay down until it passes. Am I going to spend the rest of my life hanging over a toilet bowl or laying down in bed? Has anybody else been where I am now, and if so, when does it get better? This is starting to make me seriously depressed. Please help me!    — Melissa B. (posted on January 1, 2003)

January 1, 2003
Hang in there honey.I am 3 weeks post-op today and My doctor had me on sft foods when I came out of the hospital,but I can only hold down a few things.I went through what you are going through just a couple of days ago and I found out it was a stressed out stomach.My nerves were on edge so I went back to liguids for a couple of hours and now I am okay again,but I still don't trust to many foods.I had a big gas bubble in my stomach and once I threw up and it came out I was fine.Get something for gas if it doesn't get any better and try that.Love,Dena down 44lbs.(lap-12/11/02)
   — Dena B.

January 1, 2003
That doesn't sound normal. Did you talk to your doctor? You could have a closed stoma...all they have to do is use a scope to stretch it back out. Please ask your doctor, that doesn't sound normal to me! Nothing to panic about though.
   — missmollyk

January 1, 2003
You could have a stricture. Some of the people in my support group have had them, and describe the exact things you are talking about. You will have to have a scope to stretch the stoma opening. When you get a stricture it is simply the scar tissue healing on that opening and shrinking it very small or sometimes closing it. If your food and even liquid can't get thru that teeny opening, it's gonna come back up at you. Please go to your surgeon asap and get checked. It's not supposed to be like that!! Hugs, Kim S. Open RNY Nov. 4/02 (-66)
   — Kim S.

January 1, 2003
My doctor told me this is quiet normal; it takes time for your new stomach to heal. Doc also said not to worry of becoming malnourished for we had enough fat to live from!! AS many on here know, I had a rough 8 wks. of what you are goiong through, the constant puking with anything I tried to eat, even water came back up. Like many suggested, a stricture, but I had none, just needed to try not to rush things with my new tummy. I believed the doctor when he said eventually, all would get better, and IT HAS. I am now 2 1/2 months out and more food and water are staying down..I will go days now without throwing up. Following the doctors diet helps tremendously(soft foods) I have now lost 50 lbs. And life is better as it will be for you too, just give it enough time..
   — kd

January 2, 2003
Melissa, be safe and check with your surgeon, now. It may just be that you are having a rough adjustment and time will help it ease, or it could be something wrong. About 5 days post-op I couldn't keep anything down and was throwing up even water. A call to the surgeon said I needed to get in my pain meds to calm things down but even that came up. When I started throwing up bile, and became disoriented,we rushed to the emergency room where I had to have an open surgery for a twisted bowel. So, be safe and just get it checked out.
   — Cindy R.