Question:
I am constantly vomiting and need help!

I had lap RNY on 12/18/02. I have lost 32 lbs and seemed to have reached my first plateau (I haven't lost anything for 3 days). The problem is that I cannot keep anything down. I went to the dr last Thursday and had an UGI. They determined that there is not a stricture in my stoma. However, I just cannot keep anything down. The thought of food makes me absolutely sick. I have vomited 3 times already today (a little graphic, I know). Many times it is hours after I have last eaten. Is it possible to bring food up after it has passed through my stomach? Other times I'm kneeling over the toilet dry heaving. Does anybody know what it could be? Water is really disgusting also. I have recently started drinking Propel flavored water because there is only 10 calories per serving. Does anybody have any experience dealing with this excessive vomiting? I'm living off of saltine crackers right now. I also have an unrelated question. How long will it be before I am able to eat bread and block cheese? Thank you so much!    — Melissa B. (posted on January 7, 2003)

January 6, 2003
I would run to another doctor and get a second opinion... Ask to be scoped.. an UGI doesnt always show a stenosis of the stoma.. and that is easily fixed during a scope. I spent the first 14 months post op vomiting many times a day, and some times, it was many hours after I had eaten. However, the problem that I had is rare, and might not even pertain to your vomiting, ... I eventually had surgery to correct my problem.. but only after getting a second surgical opinion and diagnosis. If your surgeon doesnt do the scopes, find a reputable GI doctor, and explain the surgery you have had, get your op report from your surgeon, and get scheduled to be scoped.. I hope you fel better soon.. IF you want to email me, feel free to do so at [email protected] Hugs,
   — Gina Landers

January 6, 2003
Do you have excessive nasal drainage? I had this problem first at about 3 weeks out. My allergy meds weren't doing the trick in keeping mucous out of my stomach. The first day it happened, I couldn't even keep water down. My surgeon's solution was to continue the Zantac at bedtime and add 1 capsule of benedryl. That did it. I rarely have problem with it now.
   — Cathy S.

January 6, 2003
It definitely sounds like you have some sort of blockage, and a stricture at the stoma is the most likely culprit. I couldn't imagine what could be causing the dry heaving and even vomiting hours after eating. I would go with the first poster who said get a second opinion. I had 2 strictures and your description sounds too familiar.
   — Cheri M.

January 7, 2003
I am four months post op and in the first 6 weeks I had 2 strictures and thats what it sounds like to me. I would get another opinion. Good Luck Mary Mckenna 73 lbs.
   — maryjmac

January 7, 2003
I guess my first comment would be on your 'plateau'...how do you know that you've not lost for 3 days? Wow do you weigh EVERY day? A slave to the scale? Plateaus occur when one has not lost any weight in 4 to 5 weeks...not days. Your body needs lots of small adjustment periods. Weighing daily will only serve to drive you crazy. As for the vomiting, I haven't experienced that so I likely can't help, but I do know that at about 4 to 6 weeks everything I ate (mostly) made me queasy. If I'd forced it, I would have thrown up. Is that the case? Finally, I'm nearly 6 months out and can eat tiny tiny amounts of bread and have no problem with any cheeses. Best of luck to you (and burn that scale for sanity's sake :>)
   — [Deactivated Member]

January 8, 2003
HI MELISSA! IKNOW WHERE YOU ARE COMING FROM! I HAD MY RNY 12/5/02 AND FOR THE FIRST 3 WEEKS I WSA FINE AND THEN 2 DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS I BEGAN TO REGERITATE EVERYTIME I ATE. TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS: 1)YES PLATEAUS ARE COMMON JUST LIKE BEFORE SO DON'T GET HUNG UP ON THEM. 2)IT IS IN FACT POSSIBLE TO EMITT SUBSTANCES FROM THE STOMACH HOURS AFTER EATING OR EMITTING. 3)I ADDED GATORADE AND PEDILYTE TO MY DIET TO HELP WITH DEHYDRATION WHILE MY STOMACH IS READJUSTING. ALONG WITH GOING BACK TO JELLO AND BROTH. 4)I'VE BEEN EATING BLOCK CHEESE JUST CUT PAPER THIN CHEDDAR,PROVOLONE AND MOZZERRELLA SO GIVE IT TRY BUT BEWARE TAKE LITTLE PIECES AND LET IT DISSOLVE IN YOUR MOUTH. FEEL FREE TO CALL ME OR EMAIL [email protected]. WE'LL GET THRU THIS I AM SURE. ALEXIS
   — ACOTTMAN