I have a question, just to see if anyone has experienced anything similar so I won't be worrying myself to death. Tuesday (6/17/14) I had my Breakfast and my lunch with no issues. I ate a tad bit too much at lunch, but not so much that I was miserable or sick. But, when I tried to eat dinner that night, I had excruciating pain and vomited hard for several minutes. Since then, I can't eat solid food. I don't have any problem with liquids, but even cottage cheese hurts going down (though it is tolerable). I also have swelling on my stomach where the band area is (it's right under my sternum). I have gotten this when I've eaten too much (rarely) or after each fill. However, it doesn't seem to be going down. I'm living on nutrition shakes right now because I just can't eat. I don't know if it's just irritation from throwing up so hard, or if something is really wrong. It doesn't hurt unless I eat, though the swollen part is always there. I don't have any reflux or night cough. Liquids go down just fine (though my first few sips of coffee in the morning are a bit uncomfortable though). I'm scared something may be really wrong, so if anyone has experience this, I'd be glad to hear your story. Thanks in advance!

Optimistic answer is that you're just swollen. Full blown vomiting causes the stomach to violently regurgitate food in the lower stomach up through the stoma/band. The hole is too small to accommodate a lot of Fluid or undigested food to pass. This can irritate the stomach lining at the stoma to the point of total to nearly total closure.

Pessimistic answer is the vomiting caused your band to slip. Your lower stomach may have crawled up through the band causing the band to slip lower onto your stomach.

Either way, you need to see your surgeon and possibly an ER visit if the pain increases or you can no longer swallow fluids.

If you get to the point of not being able to swallow Water, try chewing on ice chips. The cold helps reduce swelling and you get the benefit of being able to consume some water.

Sorry.

tmf

I agree with 2much. whenever something different happens it's best to go on a liquid diet until you are sure you are not swollen. I would in your case call your doctor and let them know what happened. they may want to see you are wait 72 hours to see if everything settles down. if the pain increases or you began to vomit again you need to get yourself to the er. and go to the er your doctor practices out of. a lot of er's don't know what to do with a banded person. good luck

Thank you both. It's just worrying me. I can drink liquids just fine, thankfully, which is why I'm thinking it's just excessive swelling. I figured it would be better by now, but maybe it's just taking a little bit to heal. I also allowed myself to get dehydrated Monday, which I'm sure didn't help anything on Tuesday when I got sick. If I still can't eat by Monday, I'm definitely calling my office to see what they suggest.

Sorry you're not well. Please be sure to post a follow up. I'm very curious to know what your outcome is. Best of luck!!

@bmj851 How are you doing after that episode?