Almost One Year Out - Some Pain in Abdomen Still - Any Opinions

Hello All, I haven't visited this web site in a while, but I have a question for the group. I had the surgery in Nov. of 2004. I have lost over 200 lbs. total (pre and post-op). I am doing real well: hardly any loose skin (only a little in the waist), my hair has grown back, I have a lot of energy. I am currently 6' and 220 lbs. I am losing about a pound a week. I eat relatively normal foods, but I still don't want/can't have breads, pizza, soda, sugars, milk, pasta (more than a couple of bytes), or crisp vegatables. I also can have a hard time with meat. I seem to eat much less than other post-ops I know. So, even though I am doing well, I have started to have some issues lately. I have had pain in my abdomen, just to the left of my sternum. It has been getting worse, but not excruciating. Began approx. 3 months ago. At first eating didn't affect the pain, but now eating seens to make it worse (the Doc. isn't yet aware of this development). It almost mimics the pain of having my stomach tube removed 4 weeks after surgery. Cat scan is normal. Blood work is good. Gallbladder ultrasound shows some formations, probably not gallstones, but the precursor of gallstones. Doc. wants me on Protonix in case pain is an ulcer in old stomach. Just started protonix two days ago. Doc wants to do exploratory surgery to determine issue, but I just changed jobs and, in addition to still being on probation (at work), my new insurance won't pay my surgeon to do this surgery (he is out of coverage area - I relocated 100 miles for this new job). So I would like to wait until Nov. for any surgery. Has anyone had these issues? Any suggestions? Does my status at this point seem normal (what and how much I can eat)? Thanks. -Ken

Hiya Ken, I am sorry to hear about your pain, and I have no suggestions except to keep the doctors informed about how you are feeling. Wow - 200 lbs gone!!! AMAZING!! - I am thinking that is the highest number I have seen in our November group here. As far as how much you are eating, not sure cuz you really didnt say how much. For me, I eat "normal" size portions - a palm sized peace of protein and then a finger spread of veggies. I cant eat much in the bread dept either, a few bites and then I feel like there is a lump in my pouch, but you know, all that stuff is just empty calories that does our body no good so I am not missing it. I do eat fruits also. I probably eat every 2 hours - not a meal but something. And the water, lots and lots of water! Keep us posted on how you are doing. God bless you and keep you, ~Andrea

Ken, First of all, congratulations on your amazing success!! Second of all.. PAIN IN YOUR CHEST?? GOOD LORD MAN CALL THE DOCTOR!! Something I learned early on.. don't mess around with strange pains.. It could be something as minor as a stricture.. it could be something more serious.. but you MUST get it checked.. our bodies have been altered physically.. any strange, unexplained, out of the blue pain should be checked by your doctor.. Just call.. it can't hurt and can only help.. Stef