Time for an Endoscopy!

Good morning my AMOS Junebugs! What a heck of a week I had. It started on Sunday morning when I my couple bites of eggbeaters on well toasted bread. I thought, oh well, maybe I ate too fast or something, no big deal. Then on Tuesday I had chicken and green beans. After putting grill marks on my chicken, I finished cooking it in seasoned chicken broth on the stove to make sure it was very moist. I only had about an ounce. Went down great, no pain, no nausea. Then less than hour later, again, this time a couple times. Wednesday I went back to just cottage cheese for the day to give my little "Pearl" (the name of my pouch) a break. I decided to extend it to Thursday as well. I have been eating mild chili since about 2 weeks out and have not had any problems so I decided I would have that for lunch. I got down 3-4 bites and within 5 minutes I was sick, and this time it lasted for 3 hours. Every couple minutes I was for the whole 3 hours. I decided I needed to contact my doctor, as I had not been sick at up to Sunday. My nutritionist called me immediately that evening and told me to just go back to liquids, but if I had any problems with those to go straight to the ER. I just had a couple poscicles that evening. Yesterday morning Marcie (nurse practioner) called me and said it sounded like I was developing a stricture, or scar tissue growth at the opening from my pouch to my intestine. At first she said she was going to order and upper GI, but as we talked and I told her it was taking me longer to drink and when I was eating it was taking me almost 45-60 minutes to consume my food (cottage cheese, etc.), she opted for setting me with an endoscopy. This way if there is scar tissue they can dilate me right away. She also told me that she was so glad I called now and didn't wait until I couldn't swallow liquids. So, I will find out Monday what day next week I'm having this done. Oh, yeah, I've lost 6 lbs since Saturday. Talk about a whoosh! I am now 208, which puts me at 22 lbs in one month. Sorry this was so long, but I haven't posted at all this week, and just wanted to update you. Have a great weekend. All the best, Deb

SOUNDS like you did all the right things. HOPE all goes well and they fix your little problem with "PEARL"! Ill keep you in my thoughts and prayers LISA

Thanks Lisa. It means so much to have my AMOS family supporting me. You're a peach for sure. Debra

Hi Deb, So sorry to hear of your problem. I know it is just a small thing as far as complications go (easy to fix, I mean), but am sorry nontheless that you have to go through it. I will keep you in my thoughts and pray for a speedy fix of your problem. Congrats on your loss. Your posts are always sdo nice. You sound like a sweet lady. God bless. Diane

I feel for you, I am going in Monday to get one done at the hospital. I went to my support group meeting wednesday the surgeon was there as well as the nutritionist. I mentioned I am throwing up 15-20 times aweek but I didnt think it was a stricture as some things will go down no problem other times 1 bite does me in. The bariatric cordionater said i should not be throwing up like this at all and the next day I called her and she set me up for monday. The hospital called told me I will be given a IV and a sedative and I will not remember anything if not much only bits and pieces. I sure hope it is something like scar tissue or a stricture cause I am to the point of feeling like a failure 4 weeks no weight drop after surgery and last 2 weeks again no weaight loss as I am getting in MAYBE 200-300 claories a day (I use fitday and track everything) but what cofused me is sometimes I can eat and it is ok next day I eat same thing and BOOM I am sick

Hi Donna, That's what was happening to me. Some things like cottage cheese and ricotta cheese would go down just fine, but as soon as I tried something with a little more substance I'd get sick. Thank God I didn't wait too long. And no, we shouldn't be vomiting at all. The reason why your weight may not be dropping is lack of calories. I found that when I could eat a little more I was losing. Now I'm back on liquids and haven't dropped anything since Thursday. It's okay though. I know this is only temporary and I'll be feeling better soon. Not sure which day this next week I'll be having the endoscopy. I'll find out on Monday. I'm glad you are having your endoscopy on Monday. Let me know how you do. All the best, Deb

Well at least the mystery is solved. I remember last week you talking about the chicken problem and how stumped you were. At least this will open up your limited menu again. I mean we are already limited but you limit upon yoru other limit you will waste away!

The scope is actually quite painless, and you wake up within 10 minutes from them putting you out. I had to have one at the end of June to confirm I did not have a bleed in the upper GI and stoma part. Everything is aok for me now and I am sure it will be for you. Good luck and happy thoughts on losing the weight. Sincerely, Silly (80lbs down)

Thanks so much. I had an endoscopy done in Feb before I could approval for the surgery. As long as they give me good sedation I'll be fine. I had a doctor once who didn't listen to me when I told him I didn't sedate easily and I remembered everything from the procedure. The second time he did it (in Feb.) he made sure I had enough medication and I remembered nothing. I just want to get this over with so I can continue my recovery and move past the "mushy" state. Thanks for your support and great job on the 80 lbs.! Debra

You are in my prayers. Thank you for sharing. ((((hugs)))))) joni.6.27.2005 261.241.151