I am having surgery on Friday April 22, 2011. I am nervous for the surgery, but more afraid of throwing up. I had a friend who had lap band surgery several years ago, and she threw up after almost every meal. She actually got so used to it, that even now three years later, she automatically throws up her food. I DO NOT want this to happen to me! I am so afraid to throw up, and I was wondering of anyone who has had surgery could tell me if it is very common. If something "gets stuck" is throwing up the only way to get it out? I haven't gotten sick but only a few times in my entire life and it was so traumatic for me. Is anyone else afraid of this?

I have never threw up right after eating and I have been banded for a year. I don't get food stuck either. I was dry heaving or whatever it's called right after surgery for about 20 min but nothing was coming up because I haven't eaten for a while.

I have thrown up but it is FAR FROM NORMAL! If your friend was throwing up constantly - most likely the band was too tight and should have been adjusted. It hurts to get food stuck and will definately teach you to eat properly (slow, small bites, and lots of chewing). I would just say learn to listen to your body. Keep a good relationship with your surgeon and his office. Throwing up is bad for your band and can cause slippage.

It is not normal to be throwing up. Your friend is most likely too tight or not following the eating "rules". I have been banded since June 2010 and have vomited twice all due to my own doing - eating fast & too big of bites. It was awful, don't want to ever have that feeling again.

... I was wondering of anyone who has had surgery could tell me if it is very common. ...

Absolutely not common. Especially after each meal.

I've been banded almost 5 months and have yet to throw up or PB. She's either too tight or her band slipped. Something isn't right...

That doesn't sound normal and I think your friend should have herself checked out, if she is still throwing up after meals. I've been banded more than a month and I haven't even had a stuck period BUT I don't have restriction. I was told that yea it might happen once or twice but that's because you're eating too quickly or didn't chew well enough. It's not normal to do it everyday.

Wheeler: I've thrown up exactly once in almost a year. If that is her norm, there is something desperately wrong and she's headed for serious trouble with the band. And actually, when I "threw up" it's more like couphing up a big ball of yucky phlegm, not throwing up like you think of when you have a stomach flu kinda sick.

I agree with most of the answers given so far. Throwing up that often is NOT normal. This is the body saying "Something is not right". In order to prevent this you should follwo your post-surgical diet exactly as it is given to you. Another important point is to not over eat. It will take some time adjusting to this, but it will help you be in a healthy state in which you will not throw up.

Best,

Dr. JSA

Noway is throwing up normal. My surgeon told me that if I threw up even once regardless if it was the day after surgery or 10 years after to call him right away because something isn't right!

Well said emmster!!

I was banded on April 5, 2011 and have not thrown up. I was very nauseous before surgery but they gave me something for that. My surgeon said if I ever feel sick or get the flu to CALL IMMEDIATELY. They do not want you to throw up!

Wheeler: I've thrown up exactly once in almost a year. If that is her norm, there is something desperately wrong and she's headed for serious trouble with the band. And actually, when I "threw up" it's more like couphing up a big ball of yucky phlegm, not throwing up like you think of when you have a stomach flu kinda sick.

I should have explained it better - my 'throw up" experience was as you described.

I have had problems with throwing up on and off since being banded in June 09. Most people keep going to their doctor to have Fluid put in their bands, but I have had to have fluid taken out. After having fluid taken out, I would be okay for a while and then eventually, I would begin throwing up again...then I began having problems with aspirating at night. Not a good thing at all. I just had a upper GI last Friday and found out I do have a slip...

I am having surgery on this Friday to hopefully have it repaired (there is a slight chance I will have to have it removed) I hope that it can just be repaired. Even though I have had some problems, I am really happy with my band and the results I have had. I have lost over 100 lbs. and I would like to lose a few more. You need to tell your friend that throwing up is a sign that something is not right. She is either too tight or has a slip...she needs to see her doctor! Good luck to you!

Thank you all for your replies! I know that my friends situation was not normal, but I was worried that the only way to deal with something getting "stuck" was to throw it up. I hope I never do!