pain

[celeste wright 5]

I am eight weeks post op from my gastric bypass surgery. When I first went on solids I was tolerating them well and only had pain when I ate certain foods. Now, I have pain every time I eat anything and it is excruciating. It feels like my pouch is too stretched out and is going to pop. food goes back up my throat and I belch constantly. I am only eating 1/2 cup per meal and not drinking fluids during meals or 30 minutes before or after meals. I'm avoiding foods I was told could cause trouble and the foods that are bothering me now I was tolerating fine post operatively to start. I've put myself back on just Protein Shakes and Water this past week and am tolerating those ok, but know I can't do this forever. I am really worried about what could be causing this pain. Any ideas or suggestions from people who have already been there?

[James Marusek 5,244]

Could it be a stricture? According to the internet:

Strictures can occur once you are about 4 to 8 weeks out from surgery. A stricture is a narrowing of the new stomach outlet where it surgically attached to the small bowel. Symptoms include difficulty with eating solid foods, developing increased saliva or mucous, reflux symptoms, and in severe cases, difficulty with liquids. A stricture, with time, can resolve on its own, but often the waiting time to heal can make you feel miserable. Once you are out at least 4 weeks from surgery, balloon dilation with endoscopy can be performed to open up the narrowing. Several balloon dilations might be needed to fix the issue.

[celeste wright 5]

Thank you so much james for your reply. I went to my doctor and told him what you said and he did a endoscopic balloon dilation on me and I did have a stricture which he fixed. I feel so much better. Thanks!

[James Marusek 5,244]

Glad to hear you are better.