Question:
Extreme nausea at 4 weeks post op......Is this normal?

I am 4 weeks post op and constantly feel sick to my stomach. This started about 1 week ago....before then I was doing great. It's gotten to the point where all I can take in is water and no where near the required amount. I've been to the dr. and they said it was normal. I'm starting to worry because I haven't been taking in any protein, even water makes my stomach hurt. Please Help, Is this normal?    — Christina P. (posted on March 17, 2003)

March 17, 2003
No, this is not normal. It's not uncommon at your stage to have a stricture. That's when the stoma (opening from your pouch to the intestine) swells and closes up or almost closes up. It's fairly easy to fix from what I understand. They have to do an endoscopy and then they can put something down your throat to dilate it. I haven't had to have that done, but I have had 2 or 3 endoscopies and they really aren't bad. They'll give you something that will knock you out for the short time it takes to do it. You'll probably need someone to drive you home, but that's about it. Call your surgeon back and be persistent. This should not be happening, especially if you have tolerated what you've had to eat or drink up until now.
   — garw

March 17, 2003
Christina, Im so sorry you feel bad. I am pre-op so I am not speaking from experince, but if you are holding nothing down for that long of a time period that does not seem normal. Please go back to the doctor and be very persistant that something does not feel right. Take your spouse(if your married ) or a loved one to help you express your concern for your situation. With some doctors you have to be very agressive to get their attention. Take care of yourself. hugs to you. Lindsay
   — Lindsay F.

March 17, 2003
Christina, Im so sorry you feel bad. I am pre-op so I am not speaking from experince, but if you are holding nothing down for that long of a time period that does not seem normal. Please go back to the doctor and be very persistant that something does not feel right. Take your spouse(if your married ) or a loved one to help you express your concern for your situation. With some doctors you have to be very agressive to get their attention. Take care of yourself. hugs to you. Lindsay
   — Lindsay F.

March 17, 2003
Hi Christina. Some nausea is normal especially if you are introducing new foods but that doesn't seem to be your case. I also initially was doing well and then around 4 weeks had horrendous nausea. I couldn't move without feeling sick. I was in a fetal position most of the time. I also started running a low grade fever. I was hospitalized for dehydration due to not being able to drink or eat. I got started on some antibiotics and by day 3 the fever went away and so did the nausea. Apparently I had a little infection somewhere. Just a thought. I hope you are feeling better soon as I know how discouraging it can be. Hang in there!
   — Brenda H.

March 17, 2003
Tell them your having troubles with liquids. That will get you seen. You might have a stricturee but more likely need antibiotics for your new tummy. Be a pain to your doc, this is fixable and DONT let yourself get dehydrated.This happened to my wife jen at nearly a month out. Get seen and feel better.
   — bob-haller

March 18, 2003
Hi, Yes I did have nausea for around 4 months after my RNY. I to went to the Dr. and called him regular, he was with me through it all. Dr. Sweet told me that it was my body getting adjusted to the surgery, he said it would go away, and I woke up one day and it stopped. I was still afraid, and Dr. Sweet set me up with an upper GI. This was to ease my mind. The test was fine. I only know that the nuasea was almost more then I was abble to take. I hope this is some help to you?
   — Sharon L.