Lap Band and the "Stomach Flu"

[chubster808 0]

Just curious if any of you fellow bandsters have experienced the stomach flu, A.K.A., Norwalk virus or norovirus disease or Gastroenteritis?? I had it this past weekend and I was pretty miserable with not only the diarrhea but also nausea. I had about 5 dry heaves of vomiting but nothing came up. I was scared that I might hurt the band with the dry heaving and all. After I heaved and I couldn't bring anything up, it went back to coming out the other end. I hear that with this problem, your stomach and intestines can swell up. I did feel more tight than usual. Anyways, hope it didn’t hurt the band and glad I keep Pepto Bismal handy. Please tell me that your badn was ok if you experienced this. thanks.

[Jachut 487]

Ugh, poor you. My kids have had gastro 3 or 4 times since I've been banded, the FIRST time was 2 days after I got home from hospital. Boy, was I in a panic. I raced myself down to the doctors and got a script for an anti nausea drug, which I took. I'm not sure if the drug had side effects or I was having panic attacks, lol, but I felt really weird. And I did catch the bug, I had a temperature, aches and pains, and diarrhoea with the cramps, cold sweats and gurgly tummy below, but no actual nausea or vomiting.

The next few times, I was careful bordering on obsessive compulsive, they couldnt even breath in a room before I was disinfecting it, I went through at a conservative guess 3,000 pairs of disposable gloves, wouldnt even handle their clothes into the washing machine without gloves, bottles of that hand sanitiser stuff before and after I touched my face, and after all of that, both Doug and I managed to avoid the bugs.

Most of the time you get gastro banded, you'll just be plain miserable, as normal. But it IS possible to do damage to your band with violent vomiting so its best to try to avoid it, naturally.

I'm paranoid, I'm almost through my teaching degree and have also just qualified as a swimming teacher - geez, where BETTER could you go to catch bugs? A classroom full of five year olds or a swimming lesson full of them - I must be insane.

Anyway, hope you feel much better and that it bypasses you next time.

[SuzanneG 1]

So sorry you weren't feeling well.

I've been worried about this same thing and gone to great lengths myself to aviod those infected around me. Although memebers of my extended family have gotten, no one in my house has gotten sick yet. Thank goodness.

I called my GP and asked for nausea meds and he said call my surgeon. I guess I'll ask them tomorrow when I go in for my fill.

[LJS69 0]

My doctor gave me a prescription for anti-nausea medication. It works wonders!!!

[Paulax 8]

I had your same experience this past winter.

It WAS miserable.

My band is fine, and I too experienced tightening afterwards.

Try not to worry.

LOL @ Jachut. You are my sister-twin girl.

Paulax <---- has 100 disposible gloves in kitchen, 100 more in bathroom upstairs.

[chubster808 0]

Thanks for the info everyone. I am definately going to try and be more careful but I work in a hospital and so I am exposed to all those nasty germs. I will be washing my hands all the more now. Everything seems to be ok. I still have restriction and nothing feels out of whack. Guess I was just being paranoid. I also plan to ask my surgeon for some of that anti-nausea medication. It sounds great when in need! I just bought some over the counter stuff but I would prefer the prescription strength.

[theloosinggame 0]

I was banded on 2/5 came home on the 6th and the 7th had diarrhea and vomiting/heaving.They finally gave me Phenergan Sup. I too wondered if I did something to the band. I have not had any extreme pain or problems. But some strange sensations. I am just wondering if these are normal sensations with a band?

[chocolate_snaps 3]

Argh! I just got over it. I wasnt nauseous but I had every other symptom. Gack!

[debingle 0]

I'm so glad you posted the message regarding dealing with the stomach flu after being banded because I just thought of that scenario today and now have input from fellow bandsters. Thanks!

Edited April 5, 2008 by debingle

[lifechange82 0]

what RX did your doctors call in for you suzanneg and ljs69? my doctor has told me to ALWAYS have a Rx sea-sick patch with me so if someone close to me has the flu, or i get food poisoning, or whatever, i put the patch on immediately so i can prevent throwing up. they actually put the patch on me the day of surgery and had me wear it and replace it twice after my surgery. the patch is called "scalopamine" or something. anywho, im curious to know what your dr has given you!

[~Sheila~ 0]

Before my surgery, My dr perscribed me about 25 anti-nausea ..SUPPOSITORYS. mmmmm..fun.

I didnt know there was a patch out there. Might have to try that.

I havent had to use them yet, but i have them on hand, in the fridge. :tongue:

[camembry 0]

I am so glad for this information. I came home from work today feeling awful. I have not been heaving but I have had major gurgling and alot of burping. I took some pepto bismol and am hoping for the best. My band feels kind of tight but I'm not in any pain. I have to drive to Baton Rouge tomorrow (aboug 250miles) and being sick isn't an option. Any advice for me?

:confused:

[jackiepeebs 0]

Holy Crap!

I justfinished two days of stomach flu and with my head in the trash can and my butt on the toilet I forgot abot the nausea tablets. It was interesting trying to get a volcanic eruption to come out a small hole. I feel okay but I have a call into the doctors office.

Jackie :laugh:

[jack&kota 0]

I just had the same thing last weekend. Vomitting with nothing coming up is interesting. Had 9 episodes in 4 hours. My dr called me in Phenegran and it was a blessing. Hope you feel better.

[TQUAD64 9]

I call it the plague and it is going around the office like mad. People are dropping like flies. I wash my hands constantly and for extra measure I bathe my hands in that antiseptic gel solution. I have a huge container of this stuff in my office. Plus, I have a container in my purse.

Oh, and I have a little spray bottle of Lysol, so when I am out shopping I use it on the cart handles. And I have this spray in my office too!

I know this is extreme, but I don't want to catch those cooties.