Hello

I had my surgery back Feb 2004 like all of you and lately I have had some pains in my abdominal area. I can say i can pinpoint where it is, it feels like a big HUGE pressure under my ribs and it starts off with discomfort and escalates to where i cant even stand up straight for my life. I litterally am bent over in half, the pain is so bad it causes me to sweat and even lose the color in my face. I went to the ER a few weeks ago when it was the worst it had ever been. I was there for 8 hours, got a CT scan, blood and urine and all were FINE! The er doc advised for me to follow up with my primary and he was out of town for 2 weeks, my surgeon is 2 hours away and I have a hectic schedule...YES I KNOW NO EXCUSES...anyway, i let it pass and i felt great and all was fine. So the other day, it happens the same. It feels like a huge gas bubble is trapped but no gas ex or anything relieves it. My bowels move fine, everyday so i am fine there. I finally spoke to my surgeon's PA yesterday and he told me that this is probably being caused by a intestinal hernia. He said the symptons are classic and that 2.5 yrs ago when WE had this surgery, they did not close off a certain area to prevent these hernias in the future whereas he does close this area off now with his current surgeries. HAS anyone heard of this or experienced something like this? I have my appt tomorrow at 2pm and i will know more. The PA basically told me last night that the only way to take care of this is through surgery and they cant even really know if that is the problem unless they do surgery! So it will be exploratory surgery if i have to do that. I will know more tomorrow after seeing the doc. The PA explained the pain is felt when the intestine "kinks" and the food is stuck...then it unkinks and I am fine. ANY THOUGHTS!?

Hi Heidi - Yes, actually, my surgeon made the same change -- those of us who had it before a certain point are more prone to internal hernias than those after. I can't say it happens to everyone, but by the same token, I know a lot of people around "my time" that have been back under the knife at one time or another for that same "exploratory surgery", including myself. They didn't "specifically find anything" but I think they did end up closing up an area as much as they could.. (they also did fix an umbilical hernia, again...) The problem often is that internal hernias only hurt when they're sticking thru, and radiologic scans (CT, etc) usually won't catch it "active". The exact same symptoms you have were experienced by one of my WLS friends who had the surgery 8-9 mos before I did.. For my experience, it wasn't under the ribs as much as it was lower.. I hope your appt goes well and that they're able to get to the bottom of the issue. ...Nick

I haven't had any of these problems. I hope they find some answers for you quickly. Definitely get into your surgeon. Mary

Just curious . . . what side - right or left? I had the same pain under my left rib cage . . . was on vacation and ended up in the ER. They also did CT's, labs, etc & nothing . . . I was diagnosed w/costochondritis which is basically like a pulled muscle. They also gave me numerous gi ****tails & diagnosed me with acid reflux & esophageal spasms, & gave me prevacid. I had the surgery in Alaska & am currently going to school in California without any insurance. I would be interested to hear what they say . . . and if your's is the same side as mine . . . perhaps I'll give my old surgeon a call . . . I'll be thinking about you . . . & hoping for the best! Amanda

My cousin had that same problem sort of like a twisted or kinked up intestine and the doctor told her that sometimes it straightens itself out but please let us know what your surgeon says. I hope you feel better. Annette

I had the same type of experience. The first time, the pain was severe so I went to the local ER. They gave me morphine, did an ultrasound and could not find anything wrong so they sent me home. The pain was still there (although not as bad) in the morning so I phoned the surgeon who did my gastric bypass. He was 40 miles away. He asked me to meet him at the hospital. I was almost embarrassed once I was able to see the doctor because the pain had subsided. However, he said he felt it was an intestinal hernia and explained that they can move in and out which is why the pain can subside. He said the only way to be sure is to do exploratory surgery. He was right... It was an intestinal hernia. He fixed it lap using the same incisions from my lap gastric bypass. I was back to work within a couple of days. Two and a half weeks later, I was back in the hospital. This time I did not bother with the local ER and went straight to my surgeon's hospital. The pain was VERY severe. The best way I can describe it is that I felt as though my body was going to explode. They did a CT scan and ran other tests which showed nothing. The doc was puzzled and said he had to go in to take a look again. It turns out that the internal stitches from the previous hernia surgery tore open (which I am told rarely ever happens and had never happend with any of his previous patients) which lead to a strangulated hernia. They tried to fix it lap at first, but had to cut me open because everything was a mess. I hope that you were able to get your situation resolved. Please pursue the matter if you are still experiencing pain as hernias do not always show up on tests (scans, x-rays, etc.). Strangulated hernias can be very dangerous.