Fistula - Leak from my small pouch to old stomach - Page 2 - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

MiladyB · 11-27-2008, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phoenixfire

Your experience is very valued here!

Hot drama or Beth, Can you tell us what the causes are for ulcers in bypass patients? NSAIDS are a big cause right? What are others? Did your surgeon know Hotdrama?

I hope this isn't a thread hijack...I just think it's important for us all to know long-term potential complications. I worry about this. I have one complication I think: bone density compromise. I want to avoid others!

Phoenix, anyone who had a RNY has an increased risk of developing an ulcer. Usually the doctors will find what they call marginal ulcers, which are ulcers at the margins of the connections. When someone has a fistula the doctor will usually find an ulcer at the connection where the small intestines is brought up into the new pouch. Which is the reason you usually can't just repair the fistula. The surgeon will usually also have to revise that connection and make a whole new connection. This sounds like what the doctor may be talking about with you, Hotdrama.

The two big things though that can increase that risk of an ulcer are the use of NSAIDs and smoking, Phoenix. Those are the biggest culprits.

hotdrama · 11-28-2008, 05:26 AM

The doctor who did the first surgery is no longer practicing medicine in my state. The clinic in which i had it done has closed. Another doctor at a Northwestern Hospital here in Chicago. Wanted to take a look at my surgery since in had gained back 40lbs. My Surgery was put together wrong. That is what caused the Fistula. It is not always caused by ulcers. It can be that the suture line has a leak.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phoenixfire

Your experience is very valued here!

Hot drama or Beth, Can you tell us what the causes are for ulcers in bypass patients? NSAIDS are a big cause right? What are others? Did your surgeon know Hotdrama?

I hope this isn't a thread hijack...I just think it's important for us all to know long-term potential complications. I worry about this. I have one complication I think: bone density compromise. I want to avoid others!

CCaspurr · 11-28-2008, 11:39 AM

HotDrama,

That is the problem I had too. I had my surgery in 1997 and at 6 weeks I told my surgeon I thought I could eat to much and wasn't feeling full. He just said some people could hold more than others, etc. Needless to say a year later I had a fistula in the suture line between my pouch and stomach and he had stopped doing the surgery. I have gained 40 pounds this year but one my of doctor's had increased the dosagage of SEROQUEL I was on for sleep and I think that was a main reason I was gaining. It's a harsh drug and can cause diabetes and if you are diabetic can cause you blood sugar to sky rocket and it's killed a lot of people. There's actually a class action lawsuit against the Seroquel medication. I took myself off (gradually) of the Seroquel in September.

Anyway I finally have a good Surgeon now and we are going to try diet and exercise first before any revision of the fistula and pouch. He also said I may be elegable for the new ROSE procedure to make my pouch smaller but right now insurance will not cover it. I was 218 the end of september and today I'm 205. I've had a cold this week so I didn't go for Thanksgiving Dinner's and stayed home and they sent a plate home to me. So.. I didn't over indulge.. lol

Hope you will be ok.

P.

hotdrama · 11-28-2008, 05:00 PM

Thanks for the information. i am glad that someone understand what i am going through. I thought that i was some freak with her inside put together wrong.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MiladyB

Phoenix, anyone who had a RNY has an increased risk of developing an ulcer. Usually the doctors will find what they call marginal ulcers, which are ulcers at the margins of the connections. When someone has a fistula the doctor will usually find an ulcer at the connection where the small intestines is brought up into the new pouch. Which is the reason you usually can't just repair the fistula. The surgeon will usually also have to revise that connection and make a whole new connection. This sounds like what the doctor may be talking about with you, Hotdrama.

The two big things though that can increase that risk of an ulcer are the use of NSAIDs and smoking, Phoenix. Those are the biggest culprits.

Godsblessedme · 11-28-2008, 05:56 PM

wow i thought coffee caused ulcers too? I hope that you both get the corrected procedures, i'm sorry you had to experience this. It really is scary to know something can happen this far out of surgery

KathyV · 12-01-2008, 10:21 AM

My Dr.'s number 1 nono is caffein. He said he sees more of these problems with coffee drinkers. So me being a heavy drinker gave it up about 9 months ago and ya know what? It only took about 2 weeks and I felt like I had more energy then with the coffee. I have heard so many horror stories on tt that it has kept me away from the stuff.

MiladyB · 12-01-2008, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Godsblessedme

wow i thought coffee caused ulcers too? I hope that you both get the corrected procedures, i'm sorry you had to experience this. It really is scary to know something can happen this far out of surgery

Alcohol and caffeine do stimulate acid secretion in your stomach, as does decaffeinated coffee. Caffeine also blocks production of prostaglandins, weakening your stomach's cytoprotection. Coffee, decaf and regular, and alcohol can aggravate an existing ulcer but probably won't cause one.

The reason docs suggest limiting caffeine after surgery is because it tends to increase hunger, is known to cause the 'munchies', inhibits calcium absorption and is a diuretic, which will make you more prone to dehydration.

Besides the use of NSAIDs and smoking, the H. pylori bacteria is one of the biggest culprits.

KathyV · 12-01-2008, 08:15 PM

I am curious if people would fess up about drinking the coffee or smoking. The ones who have all the problems. I do realize that we can all have problems in time but what does statistics show? Just in this forum how many people who have had the problems drink coffee or smoke? Anyone willing to help with the statistics and let us know? Just curious. Kathy

hotdrama · 12-02-2008, 12:53 AM

Kathy,

I don't have the stats but I do not drink coffee, alcohol or smoke cigarettes or otherwise. So that is not one of the reasone for my situation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KathyV

I am curious if people would fess up about drinking the coffee or smoking. The ones who have all the problems. I do realize that we can all have problems in time but what does statistics show? Just in this forum how many people who have had the problems drink coffee or smoke? Anyone willing to help with the statistics and let us know? Just curious. Kathy

MiladyB · 12-02-2008, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotdrama

Kathy,

I don't have the stats but I do not drink coffee, alcohol or smoke cigarettes or otherwise. So that is not one of the reasone for my situation.

Hotdrama, just curious, have they scoped you at all to check for ulcers? If they haven't scoped you I would think that may be something that is in order. During a scope they can check for the H. pylori bacteria. That is a bacteria that is frequently the cause of ulcers. Its treated with antibiotics. It won't get rid of the fistula but before doing a revision I would think they would want to try to figure out what caused that fistula in the first place and treat it if it was a bacteria.