Just An Update! Upper Gi Completed

[Aliceinwonder 11]

This morning I had an upper GI to see if I had a stricture or whatnot. Well, it has been confirmed, I have a stricture. This is why I have not been able to move out of Clear liquids. Pre surgery I was lactose intolerant, but under control with limited dairy, digestive enzymes & Probiotics. Post surgery, I have developed lactose allergy. This includes whey Protein isolate and whey Protein concentrate.

I was assuming this was contributing to my trouble eating. I discovered the idea of stricture once I noticed that I was having bad acid reflux. I never even had heartburn before surgery. This is really new to me - and horrible.

I contacted my surgeon who is in Mexico and he suggested that if I wasn't able to eat any protein, I would need to be put on a feeding tube. I am averaging 2-3 Protein shakes a week and barely that. I am mainly drinking Water or some Water down version of juice. In response to my upper Gi results, I was also told I have a hiatal hernia (spelling might be wrong). I had no idea and was told that it would be fixed during surgery. My surgeon says that the hernia has developed since the surgery and it wasn't present three weeks ago when I had surgery. Also, he is recommending gastic bypass to correct the reflux issue.

I am really scared. I am barely recovering from sleeve surgery and now he wants to jump into gastric bypass. He has not suggested I seek medical attention stateside (but I have) and at every turn is giving me all the worst case senarios with no other help or explaination.

Has anyone heard/done a bypass because of reflux?

If so, how long did you wait?

Did you try other treatments or just went for it?

For followup since coming home, I am seeing a local doctor (DO) who is experienced in doing the sleeve (1500 surgeries), and his recommendation for me is to eat what I can and he is ordering a balloon procedure to stretch the stricture. He did say that it could come back because I am only 3 weeks post-op, but we can do it again. He didn't seem concerned, other than my understanding of what was going on. He made me feel so much better about what is going on.

Does anyone have any experience with stricture and procedures they do to fix it?

How bad is it?

With all my complications, fixable and not, I am so sorry I did this surgery. Everyone says it will get better, but every minute feels like an hour, every hour a day.

[Finding Myself 146]

I'm so sorry to read this. . What causes a stricture to hapoen?? Did you have any restriction on clear fluids? Hopefully the surgeon here can help??? Sending positive thoughts your way....

[UK Cathy 977]

I am so sorry to hear about your problems, it must be frightening for you. I can only offer prayers and positive vibes and hope that you and your doctors find a solution soon.

[needachange 15]

Your story sounds like mine but I live in Texas and had it done in Texas. I had my surgery in nov 2011 and started having complications in January. We stretched my stricture in feb and again in march. Did an upper GI. It showed as pretty as a picture. He kept wanting me to wait it out to see if it would resolve on its own. It hasn't. I went back yesterday and pretty much told him it was time for surgical intervention. I am pretty sure we are going to do a gastric bypass now to go around the stricture. I go again in the morning for another upper GI to get an exact picture. Let me know how u r doing and I will do the same.

Good luck!

[Debi Morris 14]

Hi! I am having an Upper GI Series Friday morning due to acid reflux. I'm not sure if it's called Stricture but it was explained to me that scar tissue could be pressing along the staple line causing the acid reflux. The fix is doing an endoscopy type procedure by going down with a balloon and stretching that out. Sounds like what the doctor has told you. I will follow up with you after the results and meeting with the doctor. Till then......stay well!

[Debi Morris 14]

I had my Upper GI and go for results next week. I will tell you my doctors told me exactly what your stateside doctor said. If I have a structure they go in as an endoscopy with a balloon to repair it. Just wanted you to know my doctor who is in Nevada and well know for WLS suggests the same procedure to repair. I wouldn't have GB right away. I don't think it's a necessary procedure to repair. I'll let you know what my dr says when I go for my follow up next week.