Really Frustrated

Ok, I just found out today that I need to go in again (this will be my 5th time) to have my stomach stretched. I am so tired of being sick...It seems that when I go in it lasts for 4-5 weeks. I just don't know what to do or if I am doing something wrong. Any insight will be greatly appreciated. Thanks Dawn ?

Dawn, I take it that it you've had an RNY and that your stoma keeps closing up causing strictures and you keep having endoscopy's to be dilated back open. Am I right? I have had 15 endo's. The way it was finally gotten under control is that Dr. Gupta (my surgeon...who also did my endo's) began injecting steroids into the stoma to stop the growth of scar tissue. You may want to discuss this with Dr. Clark as an option. Sherri ps...you aren't doing anything wrong...your body is just trying to 'heal' the opening by growing scar tissue.

Hi Sherri -- 15 scopes OMG!!! Wow, you sure are a trooper! I am going in for my first one on Monday (any insight you could provide?). Question(s) -- in between all of these scopes you were having, did you continue to be sick? What kind of problems/symptoms had you been having? Currently I am really not keeping anything down....maybe a few crackers here and there...even got sick off of the broth from chicken noodle soup today! Even keeping water down, has been challenging. Getting very nervous about keeping hydrated and even more nervous about the lack of protein I am getting in, too. Any insight/suggestion you could provide, I would be most grateful! Thanks, Candy

Candy, It certainly sounds like you're having a stricture to me. According to Dr. Gupta...if the stats are about the same, about 20% of all RNY patients will have to have an endoscopy due to a stricture. Normally, if you have a stricture, they will do one or two endo's as a follow-up to ensure that you remain at ~15mm. Oddballs like me need more. With an endo, you get some really good drugs via an IV. Although you are technically awake during the procedure, you remember nothing normally so yoou have the sensation of being asleep. After you are in la-la land, a tube is inserted down your throat. At the end of the tube is a tiny camera which allows the doctor to see what is going on. If you have a stricture (closing up of the stoma...the connection between the pouch & intestine), the doctor dilates it back open with a devise best describes as a vibrating balloon. While the doctor is taking a look around, they usually check also to see if you have any ulcers present. You are usually asked to be at the hospital an hour before the procedure so they can start your IV. You are actually in the endoscopy room maybe 15 minutes and then another hour 'waking up'. During the 'waking up' period, it's not unusual to get in a loop when talking to your family. My personal loop happens to be 'did I have an ulcers? (I've had 2 so far) How big was I? (my all time smallest was either 2mm in diameter or 1mm x 4mm) Did they take pictures? (they always do, but I always ask...duh) Let me see them.' At this point, my daughter hands me the pics, I go back to la-la land for about 5 minutes, drop the pics, wake up, and start my loop over again. LOL! Each time after I had my endo, I felt great food-wise (except 2 times..that I have perforated...which is even more unusual). So..other than maybe being a little bit sleepy for the rest of the day, you should feel fine. On a few occations, my throat was a little bit sore so you may want to treat yourself to some sf popcycles as well. My symptoms were basically not being able to keep food down. If I couldn't keep anything down for 2 days in a row, I called Dr. Gupta. She does/did endo's on Tuesdays & Thursdays so I didn't have to wait long to have one when needed. She even did one on a Saturday once. In the meantime, try to get your liquids in. Don't forget to try to get down some liquid protein as well. Cottage cheese was usually ok for me. Squishy enough to get through most small openings I guess. Good luck on Monday. Sherri

Sherri, Won't the steroids make you gain weight. I had steroid injections when I hurt my back and I really packed on the pounds??

Dawn, Not the same type of steroid injections. This is just a small amount and only when you have an endo...and only inserted in the tissue surounding the stoma. Just enough is inserted to stunt the growth of scar tissue. I had it done 3 times and did not gain an ounce from it. If Dr. Clark hasn't heard of doing this, you may want to suggest he contact Dr. Gupta. I'm sure as colleages they shouldn't mind a little technique secret sharing. At one point, I was having to have an endo a week. She'd dilate me to 15mm and within 7 days, I'd be back down to 2mm. I don't know if you read my profile or not, but the strictures ultimately caused me to have to have a revision. I sincerely feel that if Dr. Gupta hadn't tried the steroid injections, I would have had to have had a 2nd revision. Sherri

im on my way now for my 5th scope ... oh yay for a 2.5 hour drive again ( every two weeks ) and it's raining .. i have noticed that it really only happens with certain foods , try switching up your foods the way they are cooked or you eat them and see if that helps , i can say cerial ususally goes down good , so i have it more .. good luck

Wow Jenny, I had do idea u had been going thru all this since your surgery, I wondered why u had stopped posting. I always enjoyed reading your posts and getting your emails. Im so sorry to hear u are having troubles. Keep us posted on how u are doing or just email me. Let me know if u need anything. I'll keep u in my prayers Mariah

Yes !! i think it's the luck of the draw i think , they said yesterday that it should be the last one , but if i have trouble just call them back , but thats ok i been doing alot better , only thing i can say is i swear it slows your weight down .. im 60 pounds down now , which i think is where i should be and i been going to the gym often . Im still not getting my protein in , so i been getting the 3rd degreee for that , but i try and try .. it's all gross .. and im not buying crap im not sure imma like , ive already spent alot of money doing that .. well i hate to make this short , but the storms are BAD and theres lighting and thunder all over the place .. which im sure your all getting that to.. nice to hear from you Mariah have a good day everyone ~ huggs jenn