5 yrs with issues and no one to turn to

 Does any other long term post ops feel as if there are very little physicians that are skilled in handling us? I have been living off of zantac, zegerid, pepcid and maalox for 9 mths now. I gained 30# back in 2 yrs and I go from either being on liquids for days because I am afraid I will be sick if I eat solids to eating little protein and excess carbs because I dont feel pain  and it passes through so easily but that also causes me to be zapped of energy and bloated. I am now back to no solids for the last 5 days  because of this pain, tightness, bloating, excess gas, constipation etc. It has become chronic and I feel as if it is normal now. My surgeon doesn't care to see pts after more than 2 yrs unless they are found to need surgery and I cannot find a GI doctor that knows much about long term post ops. I had a scope 18mths ago that didn't show anything and I decided it must be normal to feel awful 80% of the time. I have had numerous primary care doctors tell me they don't know much about long term effects and would not even be sure what to look for.  Unless I have fever, diarrhea, excess vomiting or trouble taking a deep breath I continue to treat myself. It is becoming quite depressing to feel poisoned all of the time. If anyone out there has some ideas on how to find a good GI specialist in Michigan I am all for the assistance. 

Hi,

     It sounds to me that you are having issues and that you should consult your surgeon.  I would not care if he doesnt care to see you after two years.  And how are you suppose to know if you need surgery or not.  It could be you need a revision.  My surgeon always said if we had any problems at all to come see him.  I hope you find answers to your issues.  Take care!

  I did see a specialist and I had another EGD done. I found out that I have a large ulcer near my anastamosis site. I am also developing barretts esophogus. The good thing is I am being treated now and I feel much better! Thanks for thinking about me! 

Sherron,
                   Excuse my dumbness but what / where is the anastamosis site?  I recently went back since I have a pressure on my left side.  Not sure what it is.  I had a EGD done friday waiting for my results.  Looks like I am headed for a revision.  Should know more later this week.  So glad you are getting the care you needed.  Take care, Sharon

 The anastamosis site is where the surgeon hooked my stomach to my intestines (simple answer). I had an ulcer in the same spot in 2007 that perforated but it healed with IV antibx and a 5 day stay in the hospital. I guess I developed another ulcer in the same spot but it is now healing with carafate and omeprazole. I started avoiding certain things that would bother me and that seems to be helping. When I had my EGD my doctor told me right away what was wrong once I woke up. Hopefully everything goes well with you. Good Luck! 

Wondering how you were doing?
  I to have been having pain on my left side right under my rib cage next to my
belly button. I have no insurance and dont know where to turn, I am looking into the county hsopital now. 
So i was wondering what you symptoms were and if your feeling and doing ok now.

I wish you well.

I am 6yrs out
255 to 131 lbs now 147lbs

 I have been doing really well. I am on sublingual B12 now and I also have to take Omeprazole twice a day and Carafate a few times a day. My ulcer healed 90% but I still have gastric evulsions on my EGD. I am just glad I found a GI specialist that wasn't an idiot to the surgery. Now I just have to find a internal medicine doctor that knows what to keep an eye out for. Good luck to you.