Lap Band and Ulcers

[TopTier 0]

As many of you may already know, I was banded on June 24 and was doing fine until that weekend.

My stomach started bloating, became distended and filled with gas.

I was also in a great deal of pain and was admitted into the hospital that Monday after surgery.

After various bariatric tests, and about 4 days in the hospital, the doctors declared: Diabetic stomach. This is where the nerve endings in the stomach aren't working properly and the stomach can't release its gas or other contents easily.

They gave me some meds to help do that and sent me home.

Four days later I was back in the hospital, still with an even larger distended stomach and now non-stop pain behind my breastplate, similar to a heart attack.

A nose tube shoved down into my stomach to help empty the contents (why did they not do that the week before?!), didn't give much improvement.

Morphine every 2 hours. . . ugh.

Finally they did an upper GI scope to peek around in my gut.

What did they find?

Ulcer.

Ugly Mutha, too. Looks like someone stubbed a cigar out in my stomach.

Finally got the right meds and am home and mostly pain-free right now.

The problem? I just noticed looking through my materials that lap bands are NOT recommended for people with ulcers!

oy.

I'm not going to get it removed unless they absolutely positively tell me I have no other choice.

I've already lost just under 30 pounds (the hard way!), but even as this is healing, I'm still not in the "hunger" stage (or as others call it 'bandster hell').

I never ever ever feel hungry at all and have to set alarms to tell me when to eat.

Even then I have to eat an "ulcer friendly" meal.

So, has anyone else had to deal with ulcers, either before or after lap band surgery?

If so, any tips?

:wub:

[Headhunter 6]

Top Tier;

In spite of the exchanges that you and I have had in the past, I am sorry that you are going through this. My heart does go out to you. It’s no fun.

The road to WLS is difficult, and once you actually have the surgery, to have this happen, well, I know that it is heartbreaking. I’ve been there; I know what it’s like.

Normally, Ulcers ARE a problem with having WLS. That was one of the problems I had post-bypass, but it is a SIDE-EFFECT that some RNY patients experience….like me, unfortunately.

Did they perform an endoscopy PRIOR to your band installation? That was something that perhaps they should have known about.

The good news is that ulcers are very treatable. They can be uncomfortable, and it will take some time to heal it, but it IS doable. I struggled with my ulcer for a while, but the medication finally kicked in and it seems to have healed properly.

I would suggest that you not give up hope, and I firmly feel that if you treat the ulcer properly, there should be no reason that your band should have to be removed. Just be very careful with your diet, and make sure you take all of the meds they give you. If you haven’t already, you might consider getting a second opinion from another gastroenterologist, one that might work to treat the ulcer a little more aggressively.

Keep us posted on how you do with this. I think you will be okay, long term. And congrats on your initial 30-pound loss. It’s a rough road to take to begin your weight loss, but you ARE on your way!

HH

[TopTier 0]

HH:

Please trust me when I say that I don't take disagreements and such online personally. With very few exceptions, most people on line don't know me (nor I them), and so all they can base an opinion about me is on snippets of text (minus any additional non-verbal cues). I completely understand that they may form opinions of me based on that, but I also understand that it's like describing an elephant after only looking at its trunk!

I truly respect everyone I encounter, even though I may not agree with them from time to time and even though I may be somewhat blunt when stating my opinion.

I appreciate your comments and that you can understand how difficult the last 3 weeks has been!

They did not do a scope prior to the surgery because I didn't realize I had an ulcer, nor did I have typical ulcer symptoms.

They DID do a series of upper GI scans and xrays, including one with some like pop rocks like stuff you swallow, which, I was told, theoretically "flattens" the inside lining of the stomach to try to "catch" indications of ulcers.

Apparently this one is is an odd place, not sure what is "odd" about it.

Oh well. I am very much trying to stay on track with both the lap band diet and the ulcer friendly one.

I just didn't want them to say, "Well, you have an ulcer, gotta take it out!"

Noooooo!!!!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

My doc did such a thorough job of my medical history, plus all the tests I got, I'm shocked yours slipped by, or didn't give you issues before the band. Were you tested for h. pylorii? Maybe that will clear it up and you'll be fine! :wub:

[TopTier 0]

Well, we knew I had a minor hiatal hernia and acid reflux.

But my history just never showed or was consistent with an ulcer to begin with.

I always just presumed it was my hiatal hernia acting up.

The bloating and distension of the stomach caused the ulcer to s-t-r-e-t-c-h out and inflame and go hyperactive.

So the diabetic stomach actually triggered the ulcer to get really hairy on me.

They did a biopsy for h. pylorii and it came back negative. They also did a second biopsy of something else while they were there, but I won't get the results back from that til next week.

Here's the thing, since it's not the bacteria, I won't need to go on any 2- or 3-step antibiotic treatment to attempt to eradicate h. pylorii. That's a good thing.

And I'm pretty sure I know how it developed.

This is really bad and I really really hate admitting it, but I most likely brought this on myself.

I have had daily aches when I get up in the morning for the last 10 or so years. About 8 years ago I discovered that if I take 2 Extra Strength (500 mg each) Bayer Aspirin - with stomach coating - when I first get up, I can manage throughout the day much easier and with less pain.

So that's what I did. Every morning. On an empty stomach, 1000 mg of Bayer Aspirin.

I didn't intend for it to be a daily regime, it just turned out that way.

I convinced myself (what is it they say about 'denial'??) that because it had STOMACH COATING that I would be fine, no harm, no foul.

Apparently I was wrong.

And this is most certainly NOT something I EVER told any of my doctors. Another No-No.

I've been very bad!

Edited July 16, 2009 by TopTier
typos

[Chrisann 0]

I started with Acid Reflux 15 months after my surgery, which has now gone to an ulcer. I am at about 7.5ccs in a 10cc band.

The acid reflux started when I was filled at 7.8cc's or so, so they took some Fluid out, but the damage was done.

I am now on medication for both, and after a few adjustments as to when to take the medicine, I think its getting under control.

But I never, ever, ever in my life had acid reflux or an ulcer in the past....that is what irritates me now.

[Headhunter 6]

This is really bad and I really really hate admitting it, but I most likely brought this on myself.

Well, Don't kick yourself, Top. This is stuff that just HAPPENS. We never know what is in store for us post-scalpel.

I really, really think that endoscopy SHOULD be a regular component of the pre-surgery work-up for everyone. I think that they could catch a lot of issues that might create a problem for the band. I've thought for a while that Endosocopy should be something that is done on EVERYONE after a certain age, just like a Colonoscopy is recommended. A lot of nasty stuff could be caught very early!

But, the ulcer is treatable, very much so, and if you want to look on the bright side of it, you will now be FORCED to limit your diet even more, while you are treating the ulcer. That can only result in a little faster weight loss!

So, no, don't kick yourself over having "caused" an ulcer. Not at ALL. The fact is that there are ulcers present in MILLIONS of people who NEVER have symptoms of any kind. It's a byproduct of our society and culture, the way we eat and live.

Keep us posted on your progress....and your weight loss!

HH