Question for Those With Suspect/Actual Strictures or Ulcers

[talking mountain 26]

I am one month post-op (RNY gastric bypass) and have started having symptoms that could suggest a stricture and/or a marginal ulcer. Everything I've read seems to say that endoscopy (tube w/tiny camera down your throat) is the "gold standard" for determining if you have either of these conditions.

However, my doctor is wanting me to go through an upper GI (studies have shown that these fail to find ulcers in their early stages fairly frequently). I am reluctant to go through a third upper GI in a month simply because that is a lot of radiation in a short period of time.

So, my question for those of you who have ever had a suspected a stricture and/or an ulcer, did you go thru an Upper GI test first, or did you go straight to an endoscopy?

Thanks!

[rte837 141]

As an UGI can show a stricture it's a good idea. It's less invasive and less expensive than an endoscopy and the radiation is not that much. BTW: I work in imaging. Start with the X-ray!

[rosemary79 136]

I went straight to the endoscopy... Could be because I let it go so long though all I had was a pin hole opening and was severely dehydrated. Ended up having a total of 6 until they were able to get me stretched out enough. I welcomed the procedure because afterward I felt so much better!

[stacy0 3]

I had an endoscopy done first. I was 2 months out and I was not even able to hold a sip of Water down. I was admitted to the hospital for dehydration and malnutrition and the endoscopy was done there. The GI doctor found a large marginal ulcer that I am still having problems with. It was found in November 2015 and I will have a 3rd scope in 2 months and if it is still not healed then I go back to my surgeon. This scares me because I had the sleeve to bypass revision due to reflux, so I can not go back to the sleeve. I was told they would attach my stomach to a different portion of my intestines.

[sharkgirl 251]

I did neither. My doctor put me on Carafate for my ulcer since the double dose of Prilosec made me feel better. Since the Carafate improved things I haven't done any further testing.