Complaint | First Try | Then… |
Nausea | Eating different foods, eat slower, a little fluid with bites of food, luke warm fluids instead of very hot or very cold foods, look at the food label and make sure the carbohydrate content is not too high, smaller bites of food | See physician or dietitian (bring food log) |
Vomiting | Eat slower, smaller bites, smaller more frequent meals, practice good food sanitation, go back to a Stage 1 or 2 for a few days | See the physician about a swallow study |
Dumping Syndrome (Nausea, Vomiting, Cramping) | Don't eat "problem causing" foods, eat less carbohydrate and fat | See dietitian or physician if this becomes a problem |
Diarrhea | Eat enough fiber (use supplement if necessary-see below) | If it lasts for longer than 3 days and is causing discomfort, see the physician |
Constipation | Increase fluid intake, increase fiber with Citrucel or Benefiber—Metamucil can cause gas | Increase exercise if possible, increase Citrucel or Benefiber as directed by a dietitian or physician |
Lethargy (feeling tired) | Increase exercise, take a multivitamin, protein powder and enough fluid | Get vitamin B12 and iron studies, possibly pre-albumin |
Hair Falling Out | Increase protein intake. Take a multivitamin, may need gel cap vitamin | Get tocopheral, retinol, zinc studies. May need additional supplementation as appropriate |
"Food Caught in Chest" Feeling | Drink a little fluid with food to wash it down | Consider swallowing study |
Blood in Vomit or Stool | Call physician immediately | ---------------------------- |
Fever | Call physician immediately | ---------------------------- |
Lactose Intolerance | Use Lactaid, soy milk, and/or lactase pills | ---------------------------- |
Gas | Try Beano, Gas-X or Simethicone drops | Begin a lactose free diet, see lactose intolerance above. |
(Information from WHMC Gastric Bypass Nutritional Guidelines Handbook)
