Stricture (anastomotic stenosis) topic

[BrunoPiccinin 6]

Hi, everyone, first of all, English is not my native language, so please, take it easy.

I went through Gastric Bypass surgery on May 19th, it's been 45 days today, July 3rd. I found out that I had a stricture 10 days ago (anastomatic stenosis), the diameter of the stricture was 8mm and through endoscopy, the doctor could enlarge it to 12mm. But even after it, it was difficult to eat soft foods, so I was hospitalized once again and yesterday I had my stricture enlarged again, now to 15mm. The doctor told me to eat only pureed foods for 30 days until I get another endoscopy done and see if it's okay to eat solid foods again. So in the best scenario, according to the doctor, I would reintroduce solid foods only within 1 month and 1 week. It feels like an eternity, I crave to eat something else than creamy Soups and fruit and Protein Shakes. I'm thinking about trying to introduce soft foods a little before that to know how it feels, like chicken Soup, with soft potatoes and minced chicken. Would you do that too?

Have you ever had a stricture? If so, how did you take care of it? I'm so worried and impatient about my case.

Thank you!

[catwoman7 11,233]

I had stricture issues twice (at four weeks out and again at eight weeks out). They stretched it and both times I felt 100% better afterward. I don't remember having any food restrictions after they stretched it. But I would be inclined to follow your doctor's orders.

[GreenTealael 25,516]

14 hours ago, BrunoPiccinin said:

Would you do that too?

No I personally wouldn’t risk it (I also had a stricture)

Perhaps tell your surgeon when you start to feel more confident in your recovery and ask if you can advance back to soft foods earlier.

[ThanaK 15]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I’m a little over 3 months post op. I’ve had a good and smooth experience so far. Except until recently.
In the last few days I’ve started to experience pressure in the upper stomach area, just below the bra line area. At first, I thought it was caused by something I ate that didn’t agree with me or digest well such as raw vegetables, which seem to be a bit a problem for me still. But 3 days later I’m still feeling the pressure. I wouldn’t say I feel a lot of pain or nausea . It’s mostly pressure and discomfort that I feel that comes and goes in that area and not necessarily after I eat. I just feel uncomfortable. I’m a side sleeper and even that position is uncomfortable. Even though I’ve been on solid food for awhile now, I’ve reverted to soft foods and Soups since I’ve experienced these symptoms because I don’t want to aggravate my symptoms.
But it hasn’t gotten any better. Do you think this is a stricture? What symptoms did you experience before they discovered the stricture? Should I be worried? Should I reach out to my health care team?
Thank you!

Edited July 19, 2021 by ThanaK

[Ready21 34]

On 07/19/2021 at 14:12, ThanaK said:

Thanks for sharing your experience. I’m a little over 3 months post op. I’ve had a good and smooth experience so far. Except until recently.

In the last few days I’ve started to experience pressure in the upper stomach area, just below the bra line area. At first, I thought it was caused by something I ate that didn’t agree with me or digest well such as raw vegetables, which seem to be a bit a problem for me still. But 3 days later I’m still feeling the pressure. I wouldn’t say I feel a lot of pain or nausea . It’s mostly pressure and discomfort that I feel that comes and goes in that area and not necessarily after I eat. I just feel uncomfortable. I’m a side sleeper and even that position is uncomfortable. Even though I’ve been on solid food for awhile now, I’ve reverted to soft foods and Soups since I’ve experienced these symptoms because I don’t want to aggravate my symptoms.

But it hasn’t gotten any better. Do you think this is a stricture? What symptoms did you experience before they discovered the stricture? Should I be worried? Should I reach out to my health care team?

Thank you!

This is a good question. I hope the feeling subsides for you. I’m only a few days post op and when I drink or consume the full liquid diet, I sometimes feel the same thing you’re describing after 3-4 swallows. I was also wondering if this is normal. It’s like a pressure around my bra line as well.

[Linjord 2]

I’m 6 days post-op and have the same pressure under my bra line feeling…I’m trying not to worry too much since I’m so close out of surgery but it’s bothersome.

[Ready21 34]

Following! I hope you feel better! I’m a little under a month post op and feel what you’re describing after eating to the point where I’m almost full or full already. I also feel it if I take too many gulps of Water too fast. I’m not sure if this is a stricture or just the normal way we feel after eating or drinking a certain amount.