My Stomach Aches When Empty

[sillykitty 10,787]

I'm 10 weeks post op, and have had a pretty easy recovery overall.

At 4 weeks post op I had a week of moderate stomach pain and severe nausea when my stomach was empty. Water exacerbated the pain and only food on my stomach caused it to lessen. As the weeks have gone by the nausea went away and the pain got better as well. I talked to my surgeons PA at length 6 weeks post op and she said this was normal and common, and it will get better. Overall it has gotten better, the nausea is gone completely. I'm now just left w a dull ache whenever I have an empty stomach. It's not painful, just uncomfortable and annoying.

Has anyone else had this? If so did it go away completely at some point?

I don't think it's acid. I'm on a daily PPI (rantidine/Zantac) and have no other GERD symptoms. But, could it be?

TIA!

[aNYCdb 310]

I didn't have this, but my wife (who has GERD) had this after starting a new job. She went to the doctor and was told that apparently the body gets used to the timing of meals and with the new job her body was basically putting out stomach acid to coincide with her normal 6:00 dinner time (now we eat closer to 8pm). It took a couple of months for her to get adjusted to this change.

That isn't to say this is the same issue you are having, but there's nothing like WLS to screw up your eating routine.

[sideeye 1,440]

Yes, I have this. For me it’s an escalating ache over about 10 mins that then turns into 10 seconds of what feels like a big cramp, then it’s done. Happens about once every other day, isn’t hunger, is definitely happening on an empty stomach. Weird.

[Mattymatt 491]

Try drinking something. It helps me.

[froufrou 678]

Yes - 7 months out now and it’s lessened. I can still get it when I wake up. String cheese before bed helps though.

[sillykitty 10,787]

Okay ... well it's good to know I'm not alone. Hopefully it will continue to lessen!