Bile Reflux

[labobby]

About 9 months ago I had Gastric surgery for stomach cancer.  After all treatments were completed I am now noticing that I have a full feeling in my upper stomach and need to burp constantly.  When I do burp I bring up bile.  It has gotten to the point that I get so nauseated that I need to throw up.  I throw up yellow bile.  I am taking Nexium but I dont feel that this is helping.   What should I do next?  I cannot afford to loose weight at this point I am trying to gain weight.

[CalGal]

I suspect that the portion of your stomach that was removed may have been the bottom half and along with it, the pyloric sphincter. When that happens, docs typically reattach the duodenum as a 'stoma' to the back wall of the stomach to provide an outlet. In some cases the stomach has a problem with that surgery and it makes it diffiuclt to move the contents out of the stomach. But it can also more easily allow the movement of bile from the common bile duct into the stomach, unfortunately. If you are bile-refluxing, any form of PPIs that are taken will not help. If you want to continue using something that might 'soak up' both bile and acid you might ask your doc about using an aluminum-based product with I believe includes Maalox. You may also need to eat smaller meals more frequently thoughout the day.

[labobby]

I dont know if the sphincter was preserved.  I dont know if this is all part of the healing process after chemo and radiation.   Half of my stomach was taken out (gasterectomy) and I just cannot seem to be able to eat without becoming gassy and nauseated (misspelled).  Any help is greatly appreciated.  I am scheduled for an endoscopy the week before Christmas but if I can reduce any acid or bile reflux I would feel more comfortable about the whole ordeal of testing.  
Right now I am taking Nexium, I also take potassium every day.  I cant take my iron or vitamin C pills because of nausea.  

[CalGal]

What form of surgery was done, and was the pyloric sphincter (the muscular 'ring' at the base of the stomach into the duodenum) preserved?

What meds are you currently on?