Constantly Throwing Up

[Whaleswife 0]

I have been having the hardest time the last year with my lap band. i throw up mucus everynight of the week. sometimes i wake myself up throwing up on the bed. i can't stand the stomach mucus anymore. i have made an appt. with my doctor for monday (apr.4). i don't want it taken out as i have lost almost 70 pounds, but i cannot tolerate throwing up everynight in the middle of the night anymore. it's gotten to the point where i don't want to go to sleep anymore. i can't even tell him i've been throwing up this long because he will flip his lid. i can't digest my food because i can't eat slow enough. i throw up everything. i'm probably ruining my esophagus or the actual lap band itself. i don't know what to do. i know i'm doing what i'm supposed to be doing by making this doctor's appt. i should've made it a long time ago. i only have between 20 and 30 pounds left to lose, i just don't know what to do. i'm thinking of telling him that this vomiting just started because he is a very strict doctor and will really get upset with me and probably yell at me for not telling him, and i'm so upset by all this that the last thing i want is him yelling at me. Does anyone else out there have problems throwing everything up? or if not everything, just mucus at night? Help!!!!

[Melissannde 41]

It sounds like you are too tight and need an unfill. They don't have to take all the Fluid out, just a little removal should cure this problem. I had an unfill spring of 2010 and all they took out was .2cc. Fixed my problem.

I don't think I'd say how long this has been going on unless pressed to do so.

It's really important to get this taken care of because you could possibly inhale what is coming up and cause aspiration pneumonia.. which is no joke!

I don't have this issue (night-time reflux) constantly, but I have had it a time or two, usually when I eat dense, solid Protein too close to bedtime.

Try not to eat for a few hours before bed. Maybe drink a glass of Water or a cup of warm tea before bed to help rinse out the portion of stomach above the band.

And please keep your appt on the 4th. Let us know how you do.

[jenn79co 13]

this has been going on a year and you haven't told your doctor?!!!

I don't want to make you feel any worse but wth were you thinking? Of course you need to tell him how long this has been going. What if you have messed up your esophagus or your band. You need to tell him just to make sure your alright.

You know throwing up on a regular basis with the band is a bad thing. Or at least you should.

I hope it all turns out good for you, but you really need to tell your doc.

[Melissannde 41]

And if I had a doctor who yelled at me.. I'd find a different doctor.

You need one you can communicate with, not one who has a parent/child attitude.

[MaineJackie 3]

I am sorry you are having such a hard time and I hope you find some relief soon. But I think you should tell your doctor the truth. The prolonged vomiting may have caused damage and the doctor needs all the accurate information to treat you appropriately.

Jackie

[MollyRN 28]

I agree - tell the doctor the truth. You are an adult and you made the decision to not go to see him - but you cannot be dishonest and not get the care you deserve or need.

[jeepygurl 3]

See your the first person who has said this besides me, if one more person tells me it's due to not chewing I may just scream!!!!! I chew , I know how to eat and yet 90% of the time I am barfing, never in my sleep but always after meals, sometimes I am fine but at least 3-4 times a week, told my doctor and he told me "you aren't chewing well enough"...REALL!?????!!!! how about broths, I dislike my doctor a lot and I am re thinking this whole damn thing......

Good luck and let me know....

[kll724 3,055]

Dear Whaleswife,

I hate to say this, but it sounds like you may have a slipped band. I, also, went through reflux and vomiting mucus at night. It got so bad, that my husband was being kept up half the night, too. I went to get 1 cc out, and the surgeon took it all out for a month. It is hard, don't let anyone tell you different. i thought after 18 months, I would be disciplined enough not to gain. I have gained, but I sleep and can eat again. Please, for your health, see your doctor. I only have 1 month of this no fill to see if my band is okay. if not, he may have to do surgery again. Good luck! Karen

[Jack 855]

We have to find the courage to face each Bandster issue using the rational part of ourselves. I endured being too tight on several occasions, thinking I would somehow overcome it. In my 4cc band, even .1cc makes a tremendous difference!!! I wasn't throwing up at night, but had got to where each day I could be sure there would be a PB or 2. Feeling embarrassed by going too long without seeking help is understandable. Not getting that adjustment when needed is recipe for unnecessary suffering.

[MollyRN 28]

Jack - you just summarized the issue I am having and I am going tomorrow am for an unfill. Well said!

[Whaleswife 0]

Hey everyone, went to the doctor today and he loosened my band, he didn't yell, but he did tell me i MUST call him if i throw up anymore. he ordered a CAT scan to see if i harmed the band in any way and wrote me a prescription for Cipro because the mucus is green now, so he wants to get rid of it. he told me i should not throw up tonight, and i am so happy that i went to see him, so CAT scan soon, blood work after that and then maybe i'll get my act together as i have an appt. scheduled for 3 weeks from now. thanks to everyone for your input. i will keep you all informed.

[Melissannde 41]

Excellent report. I'm glad he didn't yell, that's the only reason I suggested not mentioning how long this has been going on, unless pressed. I didn't want you to avoid going in out of fear of the doctor.

[MollyRN 28]

Don't you feel better?? I am so glad you went in and that you told him the truth. We have to be empowered patients - it is the only way to get the care we deserve. Good for you! I personally just kept down my lunch - first meal in 3 days May your good news spead to everyone!!