Hello all, I had RYGB surgery March 25th, 2022 and I'm struggling. I've been in and out of emergency with nausea and some throwing up. I'm weak and dizzy and finding it hard to move forward.

I did my research and knew that this is a possibility but dang it's hard. Even water causes stomach issues. I'm barely getting my protein drinks in. Is this common? I'm hoping to get an appointment with my surgeon to talk about this. I just want this reversed. I know it's not possible but I'm miserable.

My surgeon told me that the sleeve was the only one that was permanent, the bypass was reversible which was interesting. for me since i am paying out of pocket, Both are permanent because i dont have another 20 grand to spend on getting something reversed lol

Yes its not cheap I'm reading all these different side effects post-op and I'm thinking what am I going to come accros with my surgery. I hope all goes well fingers crossed!

41 minutes ago, Merill said:

Oh wow I didn't know it could be reversed thats something worth keep on the back of your mind I guess

I agree. I don't want to think of this as reversible because I did get it to be healthier as I am overweight, pre diabetic and with upper airway restriction syndrome. I just want to know that if I'm not thriving and all interventions made, that it could potentially be reversed.

5 hours ago, liveaboard15 said:

technically speaking... Gastric bypass is reversible, Gastric sleeve is not. But i hope you find out what is the problem soon! keep us updated so you can get thru and reach your goal weight.

I hope it doesn't come to that. I'm worried that if all interventions are tried and I'm not thriving, that they still won't consider it at all. I guess I'm just scared.

5 hours ago, BypassingMyPhatAss said:

Are you on a PPI? Excess acid could be making you nauseous. It could be many things. You should contact your bariatric team. They might admit you for fluids, nutrition and testing.

I really hope you get answers and feel better soon! ?

Thank you! I am on a PPI, twice a day! I'm so confused and so were the doctors in the ER.

37 minutes ago, liveaboard15 said:

My surgeon told me that the sleeve was the only one that was permanent, the bypass was reversible which was interesting. for me since i am paying out of pocket, Both are permanent because i dont have another 20 grand to spend on getting something reversed lol

Lol, I'm from Ontario, so OHIP paid for my surgery. I had to go through a lot of tests and of course evaluations to be considered for the surgery. I don't want it reversed if I can get this fixed but I want to know that it's an option if I'm not thriving.

My concern is what doctor would do it? Would I waste away before an intervention is considered. I read that a reversal is only done only after someone is close to dying. I don't want to wait years to get to that point if nothing is helping I'm sorry I'm so negative. I'm just scared.

Edited April 12, 20224 yr by Szietsma

I was just reading about another RNY patient that is 11 weeks post op and still experiencing nausea. You might want to read what they said or even inbox them for advice.

Just now, BypassingMyPhatAss said:

I was just reading about another RNY patient that is 11 weeks post op and still experiencing nausea. You might want to read what they said or even inbox them for advice.

Thank you so much! I will read it!

Your multi vitamins can make you nauseous too. Calcium, iron & vitamins A, C, D, E & K can all cause nausea.

Check to ensure you’re not doubling up on dosages like taking a separate iron &/or calcium tablets as well as multi vitamins with iron & calcium. Try splitting the dose across the day e.g. one in the morning & one at night. Take them after you finish your shake so you have something on your tummy. Try a different brand. Try a patch to avoid them entering your tummy.

I was slightly nauseous most mornings from my vitamins. Sometimes bad enough to vomit & sometimes I just needed to lie a down for a little while. I was allowed to stop taking them once I reached goal as my blood work showed I had more than enough of all the vitamins & minerals I needed. I was never nauseated again.

Some people develop a lactose intolerance or sensitivity after surgery (most just temporary) which can cause nausea. Try a lactose free shake & dairy products.

I completely understand where you are coming from. I can barely drink one protein shake a day. It hurts to even drink water. I vomit if I try anything else like sugar free jello, pudding, ice pops, etc. Im so frustrated that I'm regretting getting this surgery. I'm glad I'm not the only one but also scared that this could potentially last longer than Im mentally prepared for. I'm hoping for the best for everyone that is having the same issues. There's nowhere to go but to keep moving forward and to pray that it will get better.

I know this will not make you feel any better I am almost 4 years postop Roux n y and I buy three bottles meclizine at a time on Amazon.
Some days I have to take anywhere from 2 to 8 a day.
I want to a gastrologist a couple weeks ago because after this like the time I don’t trust my surgeon anymore.
I had a barium swallow test earlier this week and on Wednesday I’m having an EKG.
I actually threw up in the garbage can while I was talking to the new Gastrologist!

Sometimes it’s just something we have to live with because of what we have done to our bodies even though I do not regret this decision one bit!

12 hours ago, Merill said:

Oh wow I didn't know it could be reversed thats something worth keep on the back of your mind I guess

it can, but they usually don't do it except in serious medical situations that can't be resolved otherwise.

12 hours ago, Szietsma said:

Thank you so much! I will read it!

12 hours ago, BypassingMyPhatAss said:

I was just reading about another RNY patient that is 11 weeks post op and still experiencing nausea. You might want to read what they said or even inbox them for advice.

Hi--that was me. I am still struggling. Doc had said that the longest he had seen anyone was 7 months. So I am trying different things, with little regard for the doc.

(ATTENTION-I am trying different things--DON'T do what I do, JUST because I say it!!) That said-- the doc has me on 4 mg ondansetron once a day, the melt in your mouth pill. Nasty, but better for me than the patch. I have taken it twice a day, as the internet says you can without poisoning yourself. He added Promethazine 25 mg twice a day (same stuff as Phenergan) first as a suppository ?, and when I said nope nope, he gave me a pill. Ok-when I looked it up, surprise-it can be taken every 4 to 6 hours. Now because I do not REALLY want to poison myself ( I promise) the internet mentioned 12.5 mg dosage (or breaking one in half.) Now that really seems to help. Often a doc will give you the lowest possible dose, and you will suffer, until you get through the myriad layers of contacts before you can notify your doc that "this ain't working."

Another thing-I seem to be swallowing air-without a straw, with a straw, small sip, whatever... So burping seems to help. Little burps, but burps. (Takes the pressure off--maybe?) I haven't found a 100% answer yet. But I do know this: there are a ton of anti-nausea meds out there. One ought to do it--if not, I am going to make the doc so tired of hearing from me, he will buckle down and see about me. He might want to get you in there to scope you...I anticipate this myself, if we can't come to some sort of agreement/answer. I still can't drink protein drinks. Doc says it is the same hormones that cause "morning sickness," (with a smile) which I am rapidly beginning to find that answer condescending.

Like I said--I am not a doctor, don't do what I have done, just because I said I did it. I am telling MY journey.

Sorry you’re having such a rough time. Your body has gone through a tremendous shock. It is still healing & trying to figure out what to do. I remember crying at 3 or 4 weeks out thinking “what have I done?” I was so terribly weak.

Try a different brand of protein drink. Add the unflavored powder to everything. As you are able to add more foods in you probably will start to feel better.
Check to see if your insurance plan has a dietitian you can speak with. Cigna provided one for me. We talked weekly the 1st 2 months & them monthly till about 8 months out. She was really helpful.

12 hours ago, Arabesque said:

Your Multi Vitamins can make you nauseous too. Calcium, Iron & Vitamins A, C, D, E & K can all cause nausea.

Check to ensure you’re not doubling up on dosages like taking a separate iron &/or calcium tablets as well as multi vitamins with iron & calcium. Try splitting the dose across the day e.g. one in the morning & one at night. Take them after you finish your shake so you have something on your tummy. Try a different brand. Try a patch to avoid them entering your tummy.

I was slightly nauseous most mornings from my vitamins. Sometimes bad enough to vomit & sometimes I just needed to lie a down for a little while. I was allowed to stop taking them once I reached goal as my blood work showed I had more than enough of all the vitamins & minerals I needed. I was never nauseated again.

Some people develop a lactose intolerance or sensitivity after surgery (most just temporary) which can cause nausea. Try a lactose free shake & dairy products.

Yes, my multivitamin makes me nauseous, but I've found that taking it after eating a high fat meal helps tremendously.

It can't really be reversed. Or rather it can but it's a significant operation and very rarely the answer - this isn't like whipping out a gastric band, it's surgically rebuilding your digestive system. If you're having problems you need to tell the surgeon who operated on you to stick a camera down your throat and generally you need to demand to be fixed! It's their problem, not yours. That being said, I also had some distressing moments around week three. If you're able to drink water, add a little protein to it, experiment with temperature and use effervescent vitamins like I do even now, you shouldn't panic. But do knock on the door of the surgeon who operated on you and start making demands.