My Update

Well, I don't post all that much on the board . . . I do try to give support anytime that I can . . . but I'm still mostly a lurker I think. Anyways, yesterday I went to see my doc . . . for the past couple of months I haven't been able to keep much down. He believes that it is a stricture, but hasn't wanted to dialate me because he was afraid that it would slow down the weight loss. I've dealt with it for awhile, but now I'm just sick & tired of . I was supposed to go in today to have things looked at . . . but the instrument that they need to do the endoscopy broke & they have to send it out to get fixed (I live in a semi remote area) . . . so now they aren't sure when they will be able to get it done. I was just wondering how many others have had much experience with throwing up, or if there has been any others with strictures & or ulcers & how they've dealt with it . . . I don't remember seeing many Feb post ops with it at all. For the good news . . .according to my docs files I officially hit the 100 lb mark. I was shocked! Because I have been going by my home scale & it put me at -86 plus the 10 that I lost the on the week fast beforehand for a total of -96lb. Either way I was sooooo happy! I'm currently at 169lb & would like to get down to 140lb . . . but like most, I'm skeptical about the last 30lbs. To be honest . . . I'm not a big exerciser . . . but promise everyday to get better - lol. And due to the vomiting I don't do all that well keeping vitamins or much protein down (I do manage to get around 40-60 w/my protein shakes though). I haven't battled with junk food or carbs . . . but I think that is also due to my lack of appetite still. Is there anyone else that still isn't "really hungry"??? I do have stomach aches quite a bit & lately I've experienced some dizzy spells. The doc thinks that the stomach aches is from throwing up so much & the dizzy spells is possible dehydration (even though I do alright in the water dept). My blood pressure is good & my 6 month labs just came back great). Don't get me wrong . . . I'm still sooo pleased with my results & would do it all over again in a heartbeat . . . but I was just curious to see if there were any others out there going through the same things . . . . Thanks for taking the time to read all of this . . . Big Hugs ~Amanda

Hey Amanda, I've had a stricture and was dilated and think I might be needing it again. There are lots of times I know I've chewed well enough, but the food still won't stay down. Also, I was told that the more you vomit, the more likely strictures develop. So it looks like you're in a bit of a catch-22. No ulcers, though. When I got my dilation in May, I didn't experience any major change in weight loss, so I seriously doubt that will be a problem for you. The weight loss is going to slow down some now just because of how far out you are, and that's normal. As far as dizzy spells go, I was also having a lot of them. They did the lie/sit/stand BP test and they were basically all the same, so my dizzy spells weren't caused by a sudden BP drop due to dehydration. My PCP just thought that my body was still adjusting to the weight loss and they would eventually settle down. I still have them sometimes, but not like I did a month ago. It used to be every time I stood up, but I only get one or two a week now. I don't know if this helps any, but you really aren't alone. Linn

Amanda, I hope you feel better soon. Congratulations on the weight loss that is great. The only dizziness I had was when my BP dropped ... but they still had me on BP meds. Once I stopped them, the dizziness stopped too. So it was an issue of over medicating. Mary

I had gastric bypass surgery (RNY) 2/27/04. I developed a stricture the month after surgery. It's no fun to go through. Finally after 2 emergency room visits, I was admitted to the hospital because of dehydration and to receive an endoscopy. Two endoscopys were done, both times they stretched open the stricture. I spent a week in the hospital. It's been smooth sailing since then. Although there are still foods that just don't sit right and cause me to vomit. Be sure to chew your foods up well (I was told 50 chews per bite****il you can get the endoscopy ---stick with the fluids. I hope all goes well for you. I know it's miserable. And yes, your stomach (and back) can hurt from the heaving. There are medications they can give you to keep your stomach from having spasms. Good luck.