15 St George Obesity Surgery Unit | Bariatric Book | Nausea In the initial stages after gastric surgery nausea is a potential side effect. This problem may start as early as the first day after the operation and it could last a couple of weeks after discharge from the hospital. However, nausea should subside with time. Ensure drinking and eating slowly, separate your meals from fluids and do not try to over eat. The feeling of nausea is rarely associated with vomiting. If vomiting does occur what comes up is often not what was eaten, but rather white saliva. There are medications that can be prescribed to help alleviate this symptom, but if persistent, it may need further investigation. Gas pain Gas pain is one of the most vexing problems that some patients experience during the first few days post surgery. This pain can be very severe or mild and is relieved by walking and by passing gas. Pain medications may dull the pain but very rarely relieves it. Sometimes the use of antacids such as Mylanta or Gaviscon have been known to provide temporary relief. The administration of a rectal suppository or an enema to stimulate the passage of gas sometimes provides relief. Patients who walk frequently immediately after their operation have less gas pain and when they do, it usually lasts only a couple of hours. Anorexia Anorexia is defined as a lack of appetite or forgetting to eat and it is a problem some patients experience. A desired effect of your surgery is that's the stomach cells producing hunger hormones have been resected, hence reducing your appetite, but try to make an effort to eat at least three meals a day. Dumping syndrome After your gastric bypass surgery, all of the food that you eat is passed straight into your small bowel and this rapid gastric emptying may cause Dumping Syndrome. Although not dangerous, the symptoms of Dumping Syndrome – heart pounding, nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, sweating and weakness – can be very unpleasant. Dumping Syndrome occurs when you are eating too much, eating too fast or eating high-sugar/high fat foods. The episode usually abates within fifteen minutes. If possible, lie down until it passes. You will learn, in time, what causes Dumping Syndrome for you and you can modify your diet accordingly. To prevent Dumping Syndrome it is important to: • Eat very slowly • Eat small meals • Avoid high-sugar-containing foods such as: lollies, soft drinks, ice-cream, fruit drinks with added sugar, high-sugar cereals, jams, chocolates and all sweets in general • Separate fluids from solids, i.e. have fluids 30 minutes before/after meals Hypoglycemia (low blood sugars) Light-headedness, passing out and a fast heartbeat are typical of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia can occur when you do not eat at regular intervals as recommended. Do not go for more than six hours without eating during the day. Hair loss At ~ 2-3 months post op you may experience some hair thinning and hair loss. This is due to the rapid weight loss and effect of surgery. It is temporary and should reverse by 4-6 months post op. Poor protein intake and noncompliance with vitamin and mineral supplements can also contribute to this. However, there is no evidence that higher doses of supplements can prevent or treat it. If you are concerned about your hair loss, discuss this with your team.
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