Nausea 24/7

[Butterfly13]

Hey Everyone!

I am officially on the start of my 4th week post op from having a pretty complicated revision from the Lap-Band to the DS. My question is about nausea:

Did any of you have nausea 24/7 in the 2nd and 3rd weeks out after surgery? I was fine my first week and a half.... got tons of water in... protein shakes.... exercising was tolerable. Of course, I was on pain medication.... LOL BUT! Ever since I stopped with the pain meds.... my stomach has had a HORRIBLE time tolerating any fluids and I haven't been able to stomach very much protein at all. Sips, here and there - but every time I drink water (and go to take my vitamins) I just feel soooooo sick!

The oral Zofran that I prescribed USED to work, but now it does nothing. So yesterday I tried the Phenergan suppositories and that seemed to help better but EVERY day I still wake up with overwhelming nausea!

Anyone else going through this at almost 4 weeks out? I'm going to Call my doctor in the morning to let them know what's going on, but I'm getting pretty frustrated because I feel like my healing is moving BACKWARDS and not forwards. I also only lost 3 pounds in the last week I don't understand.....

 

[DSRIGGS]

Do you take a PPI? If not you probably need one. Additionally, an empty stomach can make you nauseous so try to always keep a little something in there.

Finally why do feel the need to exercise right now. Priority 1 is hydration. Priority 2a and 2n are protein and vitamins.

A PPI can help. I also needed carafate early on as it helped soothe my stomach and allowed me to get some liquids and food in.

Best wishes

 

[Butterfly13]

I do take a PPI - very smart thinking though!

I have stopped worrying about the exercise and all that for now... Proud of myself for not beating myself up about it. I realized I have 13 inscision sites and had a complicated 10 surgery... It's probably going to take me longer to heal than most - I need to remember that.

I am really focusing on the weight loss and being disappointed in that and I have decided to stop worrying about that as well. I have a very severe endocrine disorder that makes weight gain SUPER easy and weight loss SUPER difficult! Hence why I got the surgery! Haha But I need to stop comparing myself to others.

Thanks for all your advice and well wishes

 

[DSRIGGS]

Good job sweetie.

The weight-loss will come. Don't fret, it will happen.

 

[duh_Mom]

HI @Butterfly13 - sounds like you are headed in the right direction. You had a huge major surgery - you have got to take it easy and not over do. your priority is fluids then protein. Are you just doing liquids or have you advanced to solids? Perhaps the solids are to much. Are you doing milk - some peeps are lactose intolerant after surgery?

I had a lapbad to DS revision with some serious complications requiring a second surgery the second day after the DS. At one month I was not having nausea, but I also was not eating. I was getting in fluids - but just barely - 64 oz and about 30 to 45 of protein. I still was not driving and taking a shower was the bulk of my activity. I had to take pain meds and a nap after the shower because I would be so tired.

Scott's suggestion about the ppi is a good one - I did have to switch the time I took mine - perhaps you need a dose in am and pm while you are healing. It is also possible you need a different one. Things work differently post-op.

I am glad you are letting the doc know.
Good luck to you! I hope you feel better.

 

[southernlady]

I was gonna ask if you were on a PPI but you said you were. However a stronger dose or a change in brand may be needed. And that may need to have a surgeon's or PCP's input.

 

[Larra]

Definitely let your surgeon know about the nausea, and I agree with all the advice above about PPI's.
Don't sweat the weight loss. Everyone hits the classic 3rd week stall. There is a scientific reason for this that @DianaCox posted somewhere. You will get past the stall and lose weight, so for now step away from the scale and focus on hydration and asking the surgeon about the nausea.

 

[DianaCox]

http://bariatricfacts.org/threads/the-three-week-stall.743/

 

[Larra]

Thanks, @DianaCox ! I've bookmarked it, finally, so I can direct new people to it, and would suggest that others do so as well.

 

[Munchkin]

When whatever you are doing is not working it's time to try something else. Forget the supplements too. Just until you get the nausea under control. It may be caused by dehydration! For the next 3 days eat and drink whatever you want. Don't even think about calories, protein, or carbs. Just whatever you want. DO take your PPI and if you want, add some Tums too. Try some gatorade or pedialyte. Concentrate on drinking!

 

[Butterfly13]

Thanks for writing me back everyone! I love the support on here - everyone is so great

@duh_Mom : I am just doing liquids for now (per my surgeon's protocol) but I called my doctor's office and they said that nausea can be completely "normal for 1-2 MONTHS" after surgery!!! Ahhhhh! Scary thought! I got a prescription for more anti-nausea meds and are just taking them pretty aggressively for now and just taking things day by day. I feel you on the activity level too - taking a shower for me is a LOT of work! I have 13 lap sites and since I'm so dehydrated and not getting my meds in.... I am just SOOOOO weak, so I definitely understand how the "little things" turn into big things. Nice to know you have had a revision as well! How do you like the change?

@Larra : Thanks for the words of encouragement about not worrying about the weight loss. I definitely have had to let that go out of my mind.... my mind was telling me that I wasn't doing things "the way I'm supposed too" but then I realized.... "what a minute - you're having complications and can barely keep water down, STOP freaking out about not working out!" I know I will be able too (hopefully sometime soon) but I am trying to relax and understand this is a PROCESS and EVERY-BODY is different.... Hahaha I appreciate your words

And to everyone else who responded, @southernlady , @DianaCox , @Munchkin - I REALLY appreciate your time and input as well!

 

[DSRIGGS]

My feeling, that one I have left is hurt that I didn't make the thank you for running my bug trap, list.

 

[Butterfly13]

My feeling, that one I have left is hurt that I didn't make the thank you for running my bug trap, list.

I already personally responded to your thread and thanked you then! But THAAAAAAANKS @DSRIGGS

 

[DSRIGGS]

I already personally responded to your thread and thanked you then! But THAAAAAAANKS @DSRIGGS

I know and was teasing. Btw I have no idea what the hell I typed in this post. Lol I am a little loopy toniggt

 

[duh_Mom]

@Butterfly13 - yes I am absolutely loving the changes in me! sometimes they scare me - hell Never thought I would feel this good most of the time! It took a while - well it seemed like a while going through it. but really was a short period of time. Enjoy the journey and look for the NSVs that you notice. Own them and celebrate them.