Regergitation? What the heck?

[Roostertail2 98]

So I am 3 weeks post op and overall feel pretty decent. Problem I have had since coming home is this regurgitation crap. I don't always do it but it happens at least every other day. Varies in what I am eating as well. I am on soft food so nothing I am eating should be blocking anything. basically my diet has consisted of soups! Anyway - I get the pain in the middle of my chest almost like a trapped burp - then I just "throw up" for the next 20-30 minutes. It doesn't feel like its coming from my actual stomach - more like it never made it down my throat. I had a few days of this last week and ended up calling my Dr who wanted me to go in for an upper GI to check for stricture - but by the time the day arrived to do it ( was 3 days later) I hadn't had an episode so I cancelled it. Well the very next day it started again. As I said its not every time I eat and the real weird thing is I can eat something/same amount one time and nothing happens - eat exact same thing/amount the next day and I am bending over a toilet!

Anybody have any input? Again I want to say that its not an actual throwing up situation its more like when you burp and foods comes back up your throat - only Im not burping...Gross I know but I don't want to call the Dr back and bug him about every little issue if others deal with same thing!

[TashaB88 5]

I had a similar issue and I had a horrible stricture. My esophagus was completely closed off. This was my first stricture and have had 3 since then. I would definitely do the scscope. It doesn't hurt to check it.

[Roostertail2 98]

Doesn't a stricture cause issues with everything though? That's what I don't really understand - is it a all or nothing kind of thing? Just don't want to waste people's time or my money running to Dr everytime something happens..

[TashaB88 5]

Not necessarily. It could be one little thing or everything. I was told that any pain with eating/drinking is NOT normal. And when I have had my strictures I had pain in my chest then vomiting or regurgitation with it. Don't let it get to bad. My dad had th surgery and had pain but thought it was normal. He ended up with a bad stricture and busted stitches and had internal bleeding. I Would recommend at least getting it checked out.

[revision in TX 38]

I agree that you should have it checked...even though it may be "nothing", any little thing should be investigated if you are only 3 weeks out from surgery. (bypass, I assume?!)

I have never had any reflux after bypass, but I had terrible reflux/regurgitation after Lap=Band...and I have heard gastric sleeve is about as bad.

Even though I'm sure you are not over-eating, check the amounts you are eating...even though it's soft/soup...because if you aren't measuring, you may be eating more than you think (I mean, if you're like me, WAY less than before surgery) and that is exactly what happens when you over-eat with bypass.

You will probably have times when different amounts/different types of foods will just "hit" you wrong...that's the fickle nature of the beast!!! lol.

But, like others have said...get it checked out FIRST, then, once it's "nothing", look at the amounts!!

Hang in there...it gets better and better!!!

[BigDreams2014 1]

You need the egd. Strictures can worsen over time and leave you not even able to get liquids down. Your surgeon should know and watch you closely in case it does get worse before you have the egd. I had a stricture and for weeks didn't realize vomiting wasn't normal. Some foods I got down and others got stuck, as you describe, and I'd throw them up. Don't delay and be miserable. They can dilate it and you'll feel 100% better.

[Roostertail2 98]

I will call to schedule something next week. I know it's not the amounts as I measure everything and rarely am able to eat even 1/4 cup.

[melimo1002 16]

I had that exact thing and had a stricture. I say do the gi just to be sure.. i also had an ulcer and am on meds i drink and feel really good now. No more of that need to burp regergitation crap anymore

[Roostertail2 98]

I am scheduled for the Upper GI Tuesday so we shall see! I just hate the thought of wasting money and time for it to be nothing. I have tried to pay attention to make sure its not me eating too fast or not chewing good enough...

I had that exact thing and had a stricture. I say do the gi just to be sure.. i also had an ulcer and am on meds i drink and feel really good now. No more of that need to burp regergitation crap anymore

[melimo1002 16]

Good luck i hope whatever it is gets resolved.

[Jersrose43 837]

I have regurgitation. And acid reflux due to this most likely.

It is not all the time, it's never more and 2-3 ounces and I have been keeping my log for it.

So I have it nailed down to the following :

1 - eating too much too soon after a full tummy of liquid. Tummy full of liquid won't take food. It won't go all the way down. Comes up

2- just plain eating too fast! I try my best but I am still challenged by eating slow.

3- eating when I am hungry. I over eat

This one is easy have moved to scheduling meals at certain intervals and that way not hungry or hangry

It helps a lot.

[Jersrose43 837]

Oh forgot one. Since I just did it.

Ate a carrot. Failed to chew thoroughly. Up some came.

[Roostertail2 98]

No stricture in esophagus but have reflux.. Wth - thought I didn't have to worry about that anymore???!!!

[rhfactor272 50]

No stricture in esophagus but have reflux.. Wth - thought I didn't have to worry about that anymore???!!!

I'm a tad curious about that too Rooster, as they told me to continue my reflux meds as needed...as needed??? I'm confersssed...