Very uncomfortable post op - question

[longhaul68 27]

Hi all- I’d love it someone could help me understand what’s going on. I’m 4 days post op from gastric bypass/HH surgery. The instructions I received from the nutritionist and the hospital after visit summary was to begin chewable vitamins and tums the following day of returning home (ie day 3 post op). So, yesterday I took the chewable Vitamins they suggest along with thin liquids and pain medication as needed. My wound pain has improved but this morning (day 4 PO) after taking the vitamins and good hydration on day 3 PO, I began to feel uncomfortable in my digestion. I kept away from any Protein or drinks that weren’t Water but progressively my new pouch started to reject all liquid. It got so uncomfortable that I called the on call doctor concerned about dehydration. The doctor, who was not my surgeon but works alongside my surgeon, said I shouldn’t start the vitamins until 2 weeks PO! I countered with that both pieces of written instructions say to start vitamins immediately and she acknowledged it says that but to not take them and wait for my follow up appt in 3 days. Meanwhile, try to get water down etc - although I’m still rejecting it. My basic questions are: when were you told to start vitamins following GB and have you experienced this severe discomfort early on or at all? Is it possible that I’ve done damage? I’ve read about “foamies” and recognize it as that. I will speak with the on-call doctor again if I can’t get fluids in tonight but it feels careless and easily solvable to correct the instructions. Any thoughts/advice? Thanks so much…

[Lisa XO 117]

I was told that I could start my chewable vitamins the day after surgery. However, they made me very nauseated at first so I waited until almost a week to start.

It is concerning if you can't keep Water down at all. Have you tried warm broth/water to see if that sits better? Warm broth was the first thing that didn't make me feel uncomfortable.

[longhaul68 27]

Thanks @LisaXO - I’ll try the broth. My stomach is just rumbling hours later. I also took a Tums as directed so wonder if that’s adding agitation. But that was hours ago.

[Lisa XO 117]

Tummy rumbling is completely normal. Mine only stops when I haven't had anything to eat or drink for a while. Don't worry too much about that. It does take some getting used to.

[BabySpoons 531]

I was told to wait 2 weeks before starting Vitamins because they can irritate the stomach lining. No damage done I'm sure. Just concentrate on getting your Water and Protein Shakes in.

[catwoman7 10,867]

I was told to start taking Vitamins right away, but some clinics tell their patients to wait two weeks - so in other words, waiting is probably fine since there doesn't seem to be a consensus among professionals about this (it probably won't hurt you if you have to wait two weeks)

[LelePeanut 5]

Have you been prescribed anti acid? It helps a whole lot to coat your stomach with a little protection layer . I take 1 in the morning and about an hour later i will take my regular medication and chewable Vitamin. Hope you feel better soon!

[Arabesque 6,483]

As you can see there are many variations on when to start your Vitamins & even what sort. I was told start them when I got home after surgery & I took capsules.

Vitamins can make you nauseous & yes you can even bring up what you’ve eaten or drunk. So it could be them that are upsetting you. Also your digestive system is very sensitive after your surgery which may mean you feel unwell after drinking.

Your surgeon’s colleague’s advice is probably based upon their thinking you aren’t ready yet to take vitamins. We all heal in our own time. You may find this happens with other things to like moving from stage to stage & you may need to take a little longer until your system is healed enough to tolerate whatever you are swallowing (food, liquids or meds).

I’d try warm liquids too. They are often more soothing on your tummy. Water can often make nausea worse as it can be almost heavy on your tummy. Can’t beat chicken Soup (broth) to make you feel better.

The foamies is when you spit up (not vomit as such more it just fills your mouth) thick slimy saliva. It happens if something you’ve eaten is to dry, coarse or stuck. The slimy saliva is produced to try to soothe your throat & ease the passage of the dry, coarse or stuck food back up or down.

A rumbling tummy is very common. It’s not a sign of anything (& most of the time not even hunger). Just your digestive system working.

[longhaul68 27]

On 04/29/2023 at 17:13, BabySpoons said:

I was told to wait 2 weeks before starting Vitamins because they can irritate the stomach lining. No damage done I'm sure. Just concentrate on getting your Water and Protein Shakes in.

Hi- yes, it sounds like this is what happened…much better now! Getting Water and warm Bone Broth down. I was so worried I’d rupture the stitches as I was burping up acidic foam ( sorry TMI?) and my body was completely defeated from exhaustion. By bedtime I was taking small sips and just plan to not take Vitamins until I talk to the nurse and surgeon on Tuesday. Thank you for your help.

[longhaul68 27]

On 04/29/2023 at 20:57, catwoman7 said:

I was told to start taking Vitamins right away, but some clinics tell their patients to wait two weeks - so in other words, waiting is probably fine since there doesn't seem to be a consensus among professionals about this (it probably won't hurt you if you have to wait two weeks)

Thanks, good to know. I’ve heard so much about keeping nutrients front and center so it made sense the program requests people start Vitamins pronto. But my stomach could not tolerate them nor the Tums. Survived my first and hopefully rare regurgitation attack!!!

[longhaul68 27]

On 04/29/2023 at 21:05, LelePeanut said:

Have you been prescribed anti acid? It helps a whole lot to coat your stomach with a little protection layer . I take 1 in the morning and about an hour later i will take my regular medication and chewable Vitamin. Hope you feel better soon!

Yes, they recommend Tums 500mg 2-3 times a day. But that might’ve been the culprit :( better now.

[longhaul68 27]

On 04/29/2023 at 23:14, Arabesque said:

As you can see there are many variations on when to start your Vitamins & even what sort. I was told start them when I got home after surgery & I took capsules.



Vitamins can make you nauseous & yes you can even bring up what you’ve eaten or drunk. So it could be them that are upsetting you. Also your digestive system is very sensitive after your surgery which may mean you feel unwell after drinking.

Your surgeon’s colleague’s advice is probably based upon their thinking you aren’t ready yet to take vitamins. We all heal in our own time. You may find this happens with other things to like moving from stage to stage & you may need to take a little longer until your system is healed enough to tolerate whatever you are swallowing (food, liquids or meds).

I’d try warm liquids too. They are often more soothing on your tummy. Water can often make nausea worse as it can be almost heavy on your tummy. Can’t beat chicken Soup (broth) to make you feel better.

The foamies is when you spit up (not vomit as such more it just fills your mouth) thick slimy saliva. It happens if something you’ve eaten is to dry, coarse or stuck. The slimy saliva is produced to try to soothe your throat & ease the passage of the dry, coarse or stuck food back up or down.

A rumbling tummy is very common. It’s not a sign of anything (& most of the time not even hunger). Just your digestive system working.

Wow, thank you for your thoughts! It all makes sense and I guess I’ll address the “one size does not fit all” in their current instruction sheet. But more information on what early Vitamin deprivation might do would be helpful. Worse Hair loss? Anemia? Bad blood work? I will try to find out. Thanks again!!!

[Yahoo 52]

I was given Vitamins in the hospital and told to take them from the day I went home - but not to eat or drink half hour before and have hour after for the first two weeks

[Arabesque 6,483]

13 hours ago, longhaul68 said:

…. But more information on what early Vitamin deprivation might do would be helpful. Worse Hair loss? Anemia? Bad blood work? I will try to find out. …

A couple of weeks without your Vitamins shouldn’t cause any problems. I mean some don’t start taking them for a month.

It might only be an issue if your levels were already low. Like you won’t become anaemic unless your Iron stores are low as well as your daily intake. The Hair loss occurs because of stress (surgery, changed diet, etc.), hormonal fluctuations, anaesthetic & prolonged low Protein intake (if you’re meeting your goal or getting closer to it in those first few weeks you’ll be okay). They cause your usual hair loss cycle to accelerate. Vitamins won’t stop the hair loss as that is dead hair you would have lost anyway. Vitamins may only benefit your new Hair growth which isn’t affected by the surgery, etc.

[Lolly87 1]

I’m using vitamin patches