Originally Posted by MiladyB

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.

Originally Posted by AlabamaChick

I didn't do well after surgery and found out at 6 weeks to the day after surgery that I had a huge ulcer. It was supposed to be the day I went to soft mushy foods and I didn't get to progress at that point. I was scoped that day and had a stricture also and was kept on full liquid diet til I was 4 1/2 months out from surgery. So I still have problems with solids. Most solids, especially meat, hurts like crazy. I just can't get them to stay down, so I have to substitute alot with protein drinks. I lived on instant coffee with powdered milk for the first year to year and a half. I would "try" to eat food, but if it hurt, I dumped it out and made a 16 oz cup of coffee. I was never told to not drink caffeine or not drink coffee by my surgeon or GI doc when I had this problem. They knew I was living on coffee with powedered milk and protein smoothies. So, I guess each doc is different. I have since stopped drinking so much coffee and changed over to hot tea with a splash of aguava nectar for sweetening and some added Splenda. But my tea also has caffeine in it. So who knows........

I am curious about something though and I hope someone can help me. I thought with the RNY surgery that the big part of our old stomach is totally separated from the small pouch and is basically standing alone somewhere in there so it still makes digestive juices which goes into the small intestines. I didn't realize that the cutting point that was made between the two could somehow open back up and let food go into the old, big part. I thought this is how the old surgery used to be when the stomach was stapled off. I thought the two were totally separated now with RNy so the staple line could not open back up to allow food to go into the old part. I'd really like to understand who this works because maybe I am misunderstanding this. Can anyone explain it to me?

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!

Originally Posted by AlabamaChick

I didn't do well after surgery and found out at 6 weeks to the day after surgery that I had a huge ulcer. It was supposed to be the day I went to soft mushy foods and I didn't get to progress at that point. I was scoped that day and had a stricture also and was kept on full liquid diet til I was 4 1/2 months out from surgery. So I still have problems with solids. Most solids, especially meat, hurts like crazy. I just can't get them to stay down, so I have to substitute alot with protein drinks. I lived on instant coffee with powdered milk for the first year to year and a half. I would "try" to eat food, but if it hurt, I dumped it out and made a 16 oz cup of coffee. I was never told to not drink caffeine or not drink coffee by my surgeon or GI doc when I had this problem. They knew I was living on coffee with powedered milk and protein smoothies. So, I guess each doc is different. I have since stopped drinking so much coffee and changed over to hot tea with a splash of aguava nectar for sweetening and some added Splenda. But my tea also has caffeine in it. So who knows........

I am curious about something though and I hope someone can help me. I thought with the RNY surgery that the big part of our old stomach is totally separated from the small pouch and is basically standing alone somewhere in there so it still makes digestive juices which goes into the small intestines. I didn't realize that the cutting point that was made between the two could somehow open back up and let food go into the old, big part. I thought this is how the old surgery used to be when the stomach was stapled off. I thought the two were totally separated now with RNY so the staple line could not open back up to allow food to go into the old part. I'd really like to understand how this works because maybe I am misunderstanding this. Can anyone explain it to me?

Originally Posted by MiladyB

Trina, our pouch and old stomach are totally separated from the two. You are correct in your understanding. But what can happen is that a fistula came form. Often this is because of an ulcer. The wall of our pouch kind of weakens and bulges out. Eventually it may bulge far enough out that it is near our original stomach. What can happen then is a channel can form between the two, almost like a bridge. So food not only goes into the pouch it also can travel over to your old stomach. That's why people with fistula complain of weight gain, lack of a full sensation and if they throw up they will probably start seeing bile again. Just like before the RNY was done.

Originally Posted by hotdrama

Hi,

I am thankful for your response. The surgery you explained is exactly what my doctor told me he would have to do for me. It is a pleasure to know that I am not alone and there is someone I can communicate with who has experiences what I am about to go through. Right now they are getting approval from the insurance company. Did you have any difficulty getting the surgery approved?