Nausea and diarrhea on pre-op diet - advice please

[vangirl]

I've been on the pre-op diet for a little over three weeks, and have one more week to go. I've stuck to it faithfully with no cheating whatsoever, but to be quite honest, it has been extremely difficult. Headaches, lightheadedness, weakness, and exhaustion, to name a few. And also recently increased diarrhea and stomach pain from the feeling of emptiness in the stomach. Anyway, this morning, I woke up with more of that sour/empty painful feeling in my stomach than usual, and went to have my usual morning medicaitons with my daily vitamin/mineral supplements, taken with about two glasses of water (my usual intake). I'm a water-guzzler, so am very used to taking a large amount of water at a time. Anyway, shortly after, I had the urge to go to the washroom, and at the same time I'm experiencing diarrhea, I suddenly noticed increased saliva and an urge to throw up. I began mentally telling myself, "don't throw up, don't throw up", but my stomach started heaving involuntarily a couple of times, as though to throw up. Through just the power of my will, I managed keep it all down, and the feeling eventually subsided, though it is still there to a small extent.

This actually freaked me out because it's extremely rare for me to throw up. I'm not sick with the flu and haven't eaten anything that would give me food poisoning (and I know it wasn't food poisoning, because I've had it before). I feel like I need to eat something to put something into my poor empty stomach, but I've been so faithful to the pre-op diet and don't want to go off it. I'm also afraid of this being a sign of things to come after the band. What I'm nauseous and vomiting after the band?

Has anyone else experienced this? Is this normal or something I should be concerned about? Please help!

Thanks!

-Vangirl

[JazzyJude]

Hi sweetie!

No, what you are experiencing is not normal to me. Since I don't know what kind of preop diet you are on, you really need to talk to your dr or Nutritionist about this right away...very simple!

My preop diet from OCC was the diet option #2, which was (2) protein shakes for breakfast and lunch and then a salad with proteins, such as hard boiled egg, deli lunch meat, tuna, etc. I also too, with the advice from Dr. Miranada, Nutritionist, to take (1) Metamucil capsule at 10am and 3pm to curb the hunger pains. I also take the chewable Centrium Multi-Vitamin as per her suggestion. I drank water AND protein water.

AFTER my first week of clear liquids, I was getting the headaches, dizziness, stomach growling, etc, but never had any diarrhea. I was told I was low on protein, which is the key to any kind of diets.

Also, if you drink a lot apple juice, full strength, this can lead to diarrhea too. If you do, dilute with water.

But please, contact your dr or Nutritionist and let them know what you are experiencing so they can guide you properly!

Good Luck!!

[vangirl]

I posted this on another forum, and you are the second person to tell me this is not normal and to see my dr. asap. I sent an email to Dr. Miranda, which hopefully I'll get a reply to tomorrow. I'm on pre-op diet option #2 (two protein shakes, lean cuisine, and green veggies for hunger). My weight loss on it has been disappointingly slow as well, considering how little calories are being consumed. I'm about 2lbs away from my pre-op weight loss goal, and so am afraid to go off the diet, as I don't want to ruin my chances of having the surgery.

What worries me is that my surgery is supposed to be next week, and with the weekend coming, I won't be able to get in to see my doctor (he only works Wed/Thurs). I'm not as worried about the increased diarrhea (I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, so am kind of used to it) as much as I am about the vomiting. It happened out of nowhere, and I'm scared of it happening once I'm banded. I am better now, but my stomach still feels sour and acidic.

[vangirl]

Update:

I got a reply from my email to Dr. Miranda this evening. I have instructions on certain foods to eat tomorrow, and hopefully this will help. Otherwise it might be a virus. I'm PRAYING it's not. I want to have the surgery next week!

I'm really impressed with how quickly she got back to me with advice. I felt very reassured, which psychologically, is very important going into something major like this.

-Vangirl