CCaspurr

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi,
I had the gastric bypass in 1997 and initially lost 88 lbs. Then I started throwing up blood and didn't have a full sensation. They did an upper GI which showed a small leak from my pouch to my stapled away stomach. I couldn't find a surgeon to repair it because they didn't take our insurance. The one surgeon that could have done it wouldn't because I had eaten a minature reese cup (yep)...

Anyway I was told by my G.I. Doctor that it had healed itself. I've never been below 170 and my weight goes up and down like a yo yo. I've gained more weight this year so my new doctor did an upper GI today and I still have a fistula. I haven't spoken with him yet and don't see him until next tuesday. I know he had told me I could not have the whole GB surgery done over because of all the scar tissue.

Anyway has anyone had a problem with a fistula and if so do you know if there is a way they can stitch it up without doing surgery ?? I've read a couple of articles about them going through the esophagus to repair small fistula's.

Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Paula

lealphachienne

Only a surgeon can tell you how to fix it and with which procedure is best.

__________________
Marie
5'3"
TT Gym Rat #25
A single bracelet does not jingle
www.nochilddiesalone.org
www.myspace.com/NoChildDiesAlone
I'm on Facebook

CCaspurr

Thanks ! I meet with him Tuesday and in the mean time I'm so nervous.
I'm so hoping they can fix it without doing a total revision. Then there's the insurance to deal with.

hotdrama

Today, I went to the doctor and was told I too have fistula. They did the upper GI and Endoscope and have made the diagnosis. I was told by my doctor that a completely new bypass is needed. I have read articles on other corrections. The doctor stated that he has never seen my adnormal connection before.

Phoenixfire

As a fistula is a complication that faces us all, can I ask what the surgeon said? I'm so sorry you are facing this, but I'm glad you came here. We can learn a lot from others' experiences!

I haven't had a fistula but being a long-timer from surgery it's one of those things that could happen to anyone I figure.

What did the surgeon say? Hope you'll come back and continue to post both for support and to share your experience. Again, I'm sorry. It must be scary and disheartening. I can only imagine

__________________


Open Roux-en-Y on October, 2002 - 7 year anniversary is right around the corner
Height: 5'8"
Highest weight: 300 lbs. with a BMI of 45.6
Current weight: 140-145 lbs. and a size 6/8 with a BMI of 21.7
Total weight lost after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: 160 lbs. POUNDS!

hotdrama

The doctor told me that they had never seen the condition that mine is. I have two opening to the stomach. An food enters throught the fistula and my stomach which is completely intact. The previous doctor has gone out of business (WishCenter) and moved to another state. I lost 100lb and have gained 45 of them back. My new doctor told me that I would have to have the gastric bypass redone completely to correct the adnormal connection.

hotdrama

I have the surgery in 2002. I was not ill. I went to talk to the doctor because I was gaining weight. He referring to the hospital's lifestyle (obesity) clinic. After returning to a low fat diet I still was not losing weight. The doctor suggested that we take a look at my bypass to see if it was still intact. That is when they found that the surgery was done incorrectly.

MiladyB

Fistulas are something that can happen to anyone after a RNY. The signs of one usually are weight gain, loss of that full feeling and throwing up bile when you throw up.

The most common cause of a fistula is from an ulcer in your new pouch. As the ulcer gets worse the wall of your pouch kind of begins to bulge. and weakens the wall of your new pouch. It forms a new channel over to your stapled off original stomach. So basicly when you eat the food goes into your new pouch and your original stomach.

I've taken care of several patients on the bariatric unit that have developed fistulas years after their initial surgery. The course of treatment that the surgeons on my bariatric unit use is a revision of the pouch. They go back in and close off that channel and revise the pouch.

There may be new techniques out there but this is the only course of treatment that I have seen.

__________________
~Beth~

Little Victories; Grand Rapids, MI
Bariatric Support Group

Diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol,
peripheral vein disease, joint pain and 210 lbs GONE!!


Century Club: July 3, 2006
ONE-derland: Dec. 22, 2006
Double Century: May 29, 2007
Goal: June 15, 2008

Lap RNY: 1/30/06-Dr Randal Baker
TT/BL: 09/21/07-Dr Ronald Ford
PS Revisions: 04/29/08-Dr Ronald Ford
Gallbladder: 05/14/08-Dr Randal Baker
Emergency surgery (Intussusception): 02/29/09-Dr James Foote

hotdrama

What you are saying is correct. But I have something different. they said that I do not have a bypass and my stomach is intact and there is also another opening that my food empties into and I will need a complete new gastric bypass.

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!

__________________


Open Roux-en-Y on October, 2002 - 7 year anniversary is right around the corner
Height: 5'8"
Highest weight: 300 lbs. with a BMI of 45.6
Current weight: 140-145 lbs. and a size 6/8 with a BMI of 21.7
Total weight lost after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: 160 lbs. POUNDS!