Ulcers after gastric bypass

Hi Everyone I haven't posted in a long time but I wanted to let you all know about what I experienced last month. It has been just over 3 years since my surgery, without any complications. Well, I awoke one day last month with horrible abdominal pain, to the point where I needed to go to Hartford Hospital by ambulance. It turned out that i had a perforated ulcer in my pouch and it required immediate surgery. While Dr. Barba did my gastric bypass at St. Francis, Dr. Tishler did the ulcer surgery and gastric bypass revision. It is extremely rare, he says, to get a perforated ulcer after gastric bypass, but I want to warn everyone to listen to the doctors and just take tylenol for over the counter pain relief! I had occasionally taken ibuprofen and aleve, knowing that I shouldn't, but because it worked better for me. Even just occasionally taking these meds  was a contributing factor to my ulcer's progression. Also, I was smoking, and Dr. Tishler told me that the fact that I was smoking made it so the ulcer couldn't heal on its own, and eventually  "formed a hole" in my stomach. I guess I just want to encourage anyone who has taken the risk and vow to live a healthier life by having WLS to remain on a healthy track by following the doctor's instructions.  I really wish that I did. I am only 27, and never would have expected to be in a life or death situation because I smoked cigarettes and took some over the counter pain meds once in a while. The recovery from this surgery was harder and the pain lasted longer than the gastric bypass. Be careful! It's no fun after this surgery either. I am pretty much on the post op gastric bypass diet again, but this time I couldn't mentally prepare myself for it. I have learned my lesson, so learn from me!

I am sorry to hear of your horrible experience. I hope that you are all healed and feeling better. Thanks for sharing. It is good advice to pass along to everyone. take care Sher

I hope that you are feeling better.  Thank you for the information that you have shared with us all.  I know, that this is one situation I will not find myself in. Hugs Michele

WOW!!  Thanks for the advice...I certainly hope you are feeling better!!  By the way....where do you live in East Haddam??  I grew up on Creek Row!!!!

It's alot less rare than you might have expected. Sorry you went through it. I knowJoanne still occasionally struggles with the results from her ulcer  years ago. Peter

Hey Peter...what's alot less rare than we might think??  The ulcers??  Or being from East Haddam?? :-p

Both. MOST Nsaids work in the same fashion. The ONLY exception to this remaining on the market is Celebrex, which is a COX-2 enzyme inhibitor NSAID. Bextra and Vioxx are both history. Peter

Dr. A is warning me about the smoking too for exactly that reason. I had quit prior to WLS but realizing that I couldn't eat for stress relief....I knew this logically but wasn't fully prepared for it. So I started smoking again. I'm trying to quit again because the idea of an ulcer is too scary! Good luck to you!

It's funny, because I began smoking again after coming home from the hospital after my WLS. I wasn't going to give up both of my best friends!  However, this time I had to deal with giving up the cigarettes completely and go back to stage 1 on the post op diet. I ended up in the hospital again for 4 days, just came home today,  for excessive vomiting and inflammation, and am back to clear liquids again. I'll tell you, I tried everything to quit before, but if anybody needs a little more motivation, do some research on perforated ulcers. In people with "normal" stomachs it is terrible, but for us it's like a second WLS!  Best of luck to anyone trying t quit! PS: I need to update my profile, as I don't live in East Haddam anymore, but I did live on Brooke Hill Road

Hey Meg...it IS Meg right??  I am so sorry you had to go through this....I smoked for probably 10 years.....I gave it up after 7 years...and began again....I FINALLY had to give it up when I was pregnant with my daughter and had a SEVERE sinus infection...and of course I couldn't take anything for it...(I know..I was putting my baby in harms way by smoking when I was pregnant..I already beat myself up for that)...ANYWAY....I know how hard this has got to be for you....my heart goes out to you....and having to go back to the hospital??  That really stinks....I just want to say that I am glad you got this resolved....and wish you a speedy recovery.....I know what you mean about 'giving up your best friends'.....I am in the process of creating new best friends that are healthy....man...it stinks at first...but once it becomes habit......its so much easier........and yes, as time goes by.....NOT SMOKING becomes so much easier.................................so, what town do you live in now???  AND....are you going to Dr. Barba now??  ............................lots of healing and peaceful vibes coming your way my dear.......laura  :kiss: