I recently got stuck the other evening when it ran through my mind how a stomach virus will play out, Anyone has any experience? Is it painfull?

Thanks,

Kelley

I think you can vomit regularly if you get a virus. A girl I work with slipped her band when she had a stomach virus due to vomiting. She had to have it replaced

I just had my pre op visit and that was one of my questions.... I was told that if we get the stomach virus to the point where we throw up then I need to call there office right away so they can call in a script for phenergram which will stop the vomiting. Otherwise you can run into the trouble that Jess55 spoke about.

More reason to get a flu shot every fall. I get mine toward the end of Aug. I was already doing that because the flu hits me so hard anyway, but I think it would be even worse now that I'm banded.

Yep.. I get a flu shot as soon as they are available just for that reason. And we keep phenergan suppositories in the fridge, just in case. Girl (Boy) Scout Syndrome.. being prepared.

Wait, are you supposed to keep phenergan suppositories in the fridge? eeeekkkk! Did I ruin mine?

Hi,

While I fully support and advocate for flu shots----they only work for the respiratory flu, not the GI flu (vomiting/diarrhea).

And the suppositories are okay at room temp, but are easier to use when cold. (They tend to melt in your hands!!!)

Such a great question. I have been wondering this myself. I am horrified by the thought of giving myself a suppository. Doesn't it come in pill form.

It does come in pill form, however, if you are nauseous and/or vomiting---it may be hard to keep it down. The suppository bypasses your GI tract so you get the effect without adding to your symptoms.

I had a HORRIBLE stomach virus over New Years and I can attest to the fact that you can vomit with the band. It doesn't feel any different than pre-band but it just sucks. I've also had food poisoning twice with my band and threw up a lot both those times. So yep, vomiting is totally possible, unfortunately.

My doctor couldn't stress enough "DO NOT THROW UP"! He told me that the very moment I started to feel sick or nauseated, I was to call his office immediately for meds. I have phone numbers for 3 nurses just in case that happens. Vomiting can cause your band to slip and that is the last thing you want. I have medicine on hand and a band to but on my wrist just in case. Vomiting is apparently a HUGE no no for bandsters!

What great replies! Thank you all for the information. As for the Phenergan Suppositories, are those Rx only? This was never addressed in the doctor's office, so I am wondering if I can get some just to be prepared.

Also, I have already told my husband that unless we want to pay for a new band, get me to the ER if I get a virus and start throwing up. You can just never be too careful.

Thanks again for sharing. It is so nice to talk to others who have the same fears so we can figure them out together.

Had food poisoning over Thanksgiving and I was throwing up violently for almost 3 days... it can happen, and it's just as awful as it was before the band. Luckily there's nothing too big to come back out since you've chewed so well...

I had the most violent stomach flu for 4-5 days only 3-4 months after getting the band. It is possible to throw up with a band, but for me it was worse than childbirth. Called my surgeon after it was all over scared that something had slipped and the office was very casual about the whole thing and told me I would know if something was wrong. I could drink and eat so everything was (and is - it has been a year) fine. If it is possible to make the stomach flu any worse, having a band certainly does, but it doesn't mean you will harm yourself or cause the band to slip.

I just got over a stomach virus last week. Yup, it sucked! And I have to say, it felt different than before banding. However, I am very tight and if I cheat,, I will puke so I have spent the last six months learning how much and what I can eat. So, I have purged quite a bit, and then this stomach virus. But I am fine now and can eat/drink okay. I know slippage is something we always need to think about but I don't feel I have to obsess and worry about it. I will know if I slip because there are pysical signs of slippage.

flu shots are the biggest scam of the century. In reality, they create havoc with your immune system and contribute to the world's decline in health. Never had the flu shot, never will. Never had the flu. Never will. Unless I start getting flu shots!!!

More reason to get a flu shot every fall. I get mine toward the end of Aug. I was already doing that because the flu hits me so hard anyway, but I think it would be even worse now that I'm banded.