Question:
What happens when you get the stomach flu??

It seems every year I get the stomach flu. Usually it is because my kids bring it home and I get it from them. But, my question is: post op, do you still get the stomach flu?? What I mean is, you breathe in the "virus" and you get "sick". Do you vomit less?? Has anyone just noticed that you just "can't" get the stomach flu anymore? Is it more dangerous to contract the stomach flu (risk of bursting a staple on your pouch? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all!    — [Anonymous] (posted on August 31, 2001)

August 31, 2001
Don't know about the flu yet, but we can definitely get food poisoning! I had a pretty nasty bout that included all the painful wretching and diarrhea I would have had pre-op. But!! it passed through my system much, much faster thanks to the new and improved digestive tract. -Kate-
   — kateseidel

August 31, 2001
i just came back to work today from having the stomach flu. it was just like it was pre-op, nothing was different this time! i'm 12 weeks post-op today.
   — Andrea T.

August 31, 2001
A virus is a virus - it is not changed, or affected by your having WLS. Your body's ability to get a virus is not changed by having WLS.....you are still going to get colds (which is a virus), flu, infections, injuries, etc....hopefully, because with weight loss, your overall health should be much better - and perhaps you won't get them as frequently!!!
   — Cathy J.

September 1, 2001
My doctor has told me that when you get the stomach flu now that you won't have the bile (sp?) coming out because it will be in the separate stomach. My surgery is Sept. 24, so I don't really know, just what I was told. To me throwing that up is the worst part about the flu. YUCK!!!
   — alicialeew