Question:
Doesn't it hurt the pouch when you vomit?? I know this sounds weird, but

I know this sounds wierd, but I am scared of having constant vomiting afterwards. My mother in law had the surgery done a few years ago and STILL vomits a lot. Meat doesn't agree with her. Isn't there a danger of rupturing the pouch? Is it violent, or does it just kind of come up like when a baby spits up. I have a fear of vomiting. I know, I know, that sounds super stupid, but it's true. I haven't done it since grade school. I got through both my pregnancies without doing it, and the stomach flu doesn't do it either. No matter how naseated I feel, even if I'm sure I'd feel better afterwards, I just can't do it. Geez, what if I'm in a public place and it happens? Isn't it rediculous that this is what I'm most worried about? I am still pre-op, and still consider chickening out, but I know I need to go ahead with it. Good grief, I'm babbling. I guess i'll stop now. Thanks.    — Jennifer H. (posted on March 12, 2003)

March 11, 2003
I know what you mean. I am also Pre-Op, but am scared to death of vomitting. It's some sort of phobia or something. Anyway, it was a fear of mine also. However, I've heard that it's not the same afterwards due to the difference in acid amounts. It is significantly less Post-Op. I don't know if that helps...maybe someone post-op can help us with this. Sorry I couldn't help much...I just wanted to let you know you aren't alone with this fear.
   — Renee B.

March 11, 2003
I have to say that the people who have constant vomiting aren't learning from their mistakes, like not chewing well enough, waiting between bites, taking smaller bites, eating the wrong foods etc..Vomiting isn't a big deal post surgery. If I have a stuck food, I put a paper towel in the sink and stick my finger down.(couldn't do that b/4 surgery It's about an ounce or two at the most. This has only happened about 5 times in my 3 years and it is because I didn't follow the "rules" It is just not the same as vomiting with a hugh stomach full of acid. Don't chicken out because of that! This fear will hopefully be a good thing, in that you will be very compliant with the rules.
   — ZZ S.

March 11, 2003
Hi. I am Lap-RNY, 5 months post-op. I sometimes vomit, not often, but much more than I ever did pre-op. I hated vomiting and hardly ever did it (unless, perhaps, I had food-poisoning). The one thing I find that is different about vomiting now is that it seems a lot easier and less violent, if that makes sense. I don't think it's good for me, but there are times when I "overshoot the runway" so to speak, and eat more than I should. In the beginnning I vomitted much more than I do now, but again I still do it on occasion. It's important to monitor my intake to pre-empt any possible discomfort that usually results in self-induced vomiting (another thing that I was NEVER able to do....I never could make myself regurgitate). As for the dangers of vomiting: yes, I have heard that if done on a regular basis that vomiting can harm the patch, but I'm not sure of the particulars. I wish you the best. Karen
   — Karen K.

March 11, 2003
Hi. I am Lap-RNY, 5 months post-op. I sometimes vomit, not often, but much more than I ever did pre-op. I hated vomiting and hardly ever did it (unless, perhaps, I had food-poisoning). The one thing I find that is different about vomiting now is that it seems a lot easier and less violent, if that makes sense. I don't think it's good for me, but there are times when I "overshoot the runway" so to speak, and eat more than I should. In the beginnning I vomitted much more than I do now, but again I still do it on occasion. It's important to monitor my intake to pre-empt any possible discomfort that usually results in self-induced vomiting (another thing that I was NEVER able to do....I never could make myself regurgitate). As for the dangers of vomiting: yes, I have heard that if done on a regular basis that vomiting can harm the patch, but I'm not sure of the particulars. I wish you the best. Karen
   — Karen K.

March 11, 2003
I just had my first real experience with vomiting last night. Tried to eat some noodles that just looked soooo good! My tummy did not like. The vomiting was nothing like pre-op. It didn't hurt, there wasn't that horrible wrenching feeling in my stomache and there wasn't the aweful after taste from stomache acids, etc. Most public places have a restroom, so I wouldn't worry about that too much. I have heard of people that carried a plastic zip-lock back with them in case of emergency. Don't worry about this one! I used to hate, hate, hate vomiting too. Would do just about anything to avoid it, but I'm not so afraid anymore. Your biggest insurance is to stick to the diet they give you - don't get too adventurous too early and chew, chew, chew when you get to solid foods! Best wishes - DO NOT give up!
   — jnc

March 11, 2003
People who have vomiting are not necessarily not following the rules. Vomiting can also be a sign that you have a stricture or a blockage of some sort. You do need to be careful with what you eat and chew it very, very well, but if you are doing that and eating only very small amounts and are still vomiting, it warrants a call to the surgeon to make sure nothing is wrong.
   — garw

March 11, 2003
I do know two people that vomit every day. Different surgeons, both RNY. One is a year and a half out, and one about three years. It is not that they don't "Learn from their mistakes" or that they are not "chewing well" or "choosing the right food". It is a rare complication of the surgery and not a fun thing for them. I think it is a legitimate concern that this could happen, but the chance is small that it will happen to you.
   — mom2jtx3

March 12, 2003
I had a big fear of vomiting pre-op also. I even wrote a similar question to this about a month before surgery because I couldn't imagine vomiting daily. Well, since surgery on 1/13/03, I have vomited quite a few times, until I realized I could not tolerate any beef or pork. Once I stopped trying to eat those meats, my vomiting stopped. If you truly listen to your pouch and your body and stop when you should and chew as much as you should and stay away from foods that don't agree with your pouch, you should be just fine. Good luck!!
   — thumpiez

March 12, 2003
Also keep in mind that you may be one of the lucky ones and not vomit at all. I am 13 months post-op and have only vomited once and that was when I was 11 months post-op! Apparently, Chinese food/Japanese food does not agree with me-I knew it and had had pouch pain in the past from it. We'll every few months I will try a food that did not agree with me before as the pouch eventually accepts most foods. This time, it was not happy. The vomiting experience was very quick, painless and without that awful aftertaste that the acid from the old stomach caused.
   — Cindy R.

March 12, 2003
Hi there, I guess I am different than most of the posters in that my "vomiting" is very much like before. I am 5 weeks post op and have thrown up 4 times, I think due to drinking too soon after the food has left the pouch. But let me tell you, I kept hearing vomiting would be different and for me it has not been. Not a pleasant experience at all!
   — kim V.

March 12, 2003
I was a big chicken when it came to throwing up! I too, would do anything to avoid it. But it's not the same after surgery. It's a very small amount and you don't get the gut wrenching cramps and "heaves". I like what someone else said, it is more like a baby spitting up. Not violent or painful. I started vomiting shortly after my surgery, 2 weeks, and I was very worried about rupturing my pouch or popping stitches. I thought it was because I was getting too adventurous with my food too early, but that wasn't the case. I had developed a stricture of scar tissue at the bottom of my pouch and it was almost completely closed! The doctor just put a scope down my throat and inflated a tiny balloon to dilate the opening, all while I was peacefully snoozing :) I had a bit of a sore throat for the rest of the day, but after that I was fine. Now I only throw up if I eat to fast or find something that doesn't agree with me. Don't worry too much, it won't be nearly as bad as what you think. I'm down 84 pounds in 5 months, so I think that's worth an occassional vomit! ;) Good Luck!
   — Trula B.

March 12, 2003
I was terrified of throwing up after my surgery. But I developed a stricture and threw up daily for about a month, and to me it felt the same as it did pre-op. If you're not much of a puker, and it doesn't sound like you are, this may not be a problem for you. One of my friends who is about 2 years post-op has never been able to throw up since her RNY. even with flu when she wanted to throw up just to feel better. So our bodies are all different. But in my case, although i was SO worried about hurting my new little pouch when i threw up, nothing bad ever really happened. Just be careful about your food choices and follow your doctor's orders, and you will get through this just fine! :) Best of luck,
   — maurer_power

March 15, 2003
I'm a year post-op and have only thrown up around 5 times. It's not like throwing up pre-op. There's no bile smell, and it's more of a relief than a problem. Of course, I don't want to throw up. So, I generally chew thoroughly, don't overeat, and eat meat moist. I've always had a little notice before I threw up, so throwing up in public has never been a problem.
   — Kathy J.

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