Why do we vomit?

**Jacq** · 10-27-2012 07:04 AM

I'm 9 days post op and even though I'm still on liquids, I find myself vomiting on occasion.

What are the reasons you found yourself vomiting?

**niamh** · 10-27-2012 07:06 AM

I would assume it's just your stomach reacting to the trauma of recent surgery. I dry heaved a few times the first 24 hours, then once more about a day later. But I was on anti-nausea meds constantly for about 2 weeks. I think after that, it can happen if we overeat.

**dfreekey** · 10-27-2012 08:05 AM

It also happens if you eat to fast. Good luck.

**Jewel** · 10-27-2012 08:40 AM

you need to concentrate on teeny, tiny sips. your tummy is super sesitive right now and too much at one will make it retaliate

**xxtac66** · 10-27-2012 08:41 AM

I only heaved once right after surgery and it was air and gas...I've never vomited EVER! A couple of times when I was still learning how much I could eat and would take one bite too many I would get the golf ball in my throat and foamies and be very uncomfortable for about an hour.

**patch640** · 10-27-2012 10:45 AM

Vomiting for me was at one month out because I ate too much. Taught me a lesson and scared me. If you start to feel that pressure stop eating and eat very slow and chew chew chew. Get use to it cuz that's the way its gonna be here on out. Especially if you want long term success.

**cowgirljane** · 10-27-2012 10:46 AM

Well, I have vomited I think 3 times since my surgery - I think I was about 2-3 months out the first time. Each and every time it was caused by eating too much/too fast which was caused by getting overly hungry. I haven't had it happen in a long time though, so I think it is behind me.

In the very early stages I was so paranoid that I was probably overly careful to drink really slow... and when I moved to soft foods, going really slow with small quantities.

The NUT told me that in the first few months you can't always "feel" sensations fully due to nerve damage from the surgery. They gave me very specific quntity guidelines to use to avoid overdoing it during that period.

I know that people can have conditions and complications that can cause vomiting too - but for someone who is healing normally, I would take it as a sign that a person is eating too much/too fast.

**Jacq** · 10-27-2012 11:22 AM

I'm hardly eating anything. I get two or three spoons of soup broth in and then vomit back up.
It doesn't always happen. But started only a couple of days ago.
I don't get any sensation of fullness. Only nausea.

I'm struggling to read my body to feed it or not.

**cowgirljane** · 10-27-2012 11:37 AM

It doesn't concern me that you don't feel "fullness" I think that is very normal at this stage. You probably won't feel that identifiable sensation for some weeks. IT does concern me that you can't keep a few spoons of broth down. Are you even able to drink adequate fluids? Right now, dehydration is a much bigger issue then getting enough food or protien in. In fact, if you start feeling ultra crappy, the first thing to suspect is dehydration and you can't fix anything until that is fixed - some people need to get IVs to help get rehydrated.

If it were me, I would call the surgeon's office first thing monday morning just to get some help and support and to make sure they know you are struggling with even a few spoons of broth after 1.5 weeks out. That might just be normal healing (we are all different) but I find it worrisome and was not my experience nor experience of many sleevers I have talked to. Surgeon is the expert though - the person to call.

Originally Posted by Jacq

I'm hardly eating anything. I get two or three spoons of soup broth in and then vomit back up.
It doesn't always happen. But started only a couple of days ago.
I don't get any sensation of fullness. Only nausea.

I'm struggling to read my body to feed it or not.

**Truffles** · 10-27-2012 11:47 AM

Just brainstorming here. Are you using a soup spoon or a teaspoon? You might want to go get a baby spoon and use that. Maybe you are reacting to the broth? Some ingredient in it? Maybe make some homemade chicken broth so you know the contents. I, too, would be concerned that you are getting dehydrated. I think, at this point, I would go your regular doctor and get checked for dehydration.

Another thought. When my children have a gastric bug, I will only let them sip a tiny amount of water after one full hour of non-vomiting. Even water can trigger an irritated stomach to expel its contents. Maybe you are trying too soon after vomiting?

**Jacq** · 10-27-2012 12:39 PM

I think I'm successfully stating hydrated as I'm still urinating throughout the day and I can keep water down most of the time.
It's mostly happening during my evening meal.
I think I may be eating too fast. Or possibly overeating (in last nights case where I was experimenting with new fluids).
It's hard to gauge when to stop when there isn't a sensation of getting full. :/