Multiple Balloon Procedures - Help

I have had 7 upper endoscopy procedures. Each time I have one, in a few days the opening from the stoma into the small intestines starts closing again, and I can not keep soft or regular food down. I had RYN surgery on October 21, 2005, so I am 3 months out. Has anyone else had this many or more procedures? I am being told that it will stop closing up, but when???? I am so tired of being sick, not feeling good, and having no energy. I just want to be able to eat more than one bite of food. Soups, protein drinks, crackers, and water do work okay most of the time. Unless it has been a week since I had a procedure. I am having to go back every 10 to 14 days to have this redone. I am getting scared. I don't want to live like this forever.

You poor thing. I can't imagine having that many procedures. I don't know what else to say, but I hope you get better. Is your surgeon doing the endoscopies? If so, maybe you should be referred to a gastroenterologist to see if they have any suggestions for a more permanent solution. Just a thought-good luck and I hope you feel better! Chris

My surgeon at the Barix Clinic referred me to Mt Carmel East in Columbus OH to the Ohio Gastroenterology Group, and they are the ones that perform the procedure. I asked on Thursday how many more they thought that I would need, and I was told until it quits closing. Thanks for your response, and the good luck. I can really use it!!!!

I am so sorry that you are going through this. Who does this for you? Is it your surgeon? Maybe Dr C. will come on today and give you an answer. I had one stricture and he fixed me . That was 3 weeks post op. Please ask him and I know he can help you. Cindy

Who is Dr C? Thanks for your response....

Dr. C is Dr. Curry from Cincinnati who is a wonderful surgeon, and frequently answers posts here on the board for those of us who have questions. (Regardless of who did your surgery.) His website is newyourealyou.com. Just add the http:

Dear Ms. Warnock: Unfortunately it is up the judgement of the person doing to procedures as well as you and your surgeon. I perform my own endoscopy and make that judgement with the patient. I rarely have to go beyond two dilatations but I have been referred patients who have undergone more than twenty. Certainly no one wants you to continue in this manner but dilatation is the safest route and has a very high likelihood of being successful. I'm sorry to hear your having trouble. Hang in there. Dr. Selwyn Assistant Professor of Surgery UC Center for Surgical Weight Loss Director, Surgical Endoscopy and Laparscopy [email protected] 513-475-7770

Thank you for your response. My gastroentrologist had been told that he could only dilate the opening to 12 mil., and said that if he could open it further, then it might just close to 12 mil. He is thinking that opening it to 13, 14, or even 15 mil might be the answer. My Barix Clinic surgeon said that if they do that, it could slow down my weight loss. At this point I do not care. I have lost 66 pounds in 3 months, and would not mind a slow down if it meant that I would not be sick every day. How far do you open the opening when you do a dilation? Also, what is going to make it be finally successful?

Ms. Warnock: Certainly there are many way to form the pouch to small bowel anastomosis (stoma). Hand sewn over a tube. circular staplers. linear or line staplers and sewing. The attempt is to form an anastomosis that will end up at about 10 mm or greater after healing and of course everyone heals differently. Below this patients don't seem to tolerate food as well especially during the transition from liquid/puree to solid food. Usually about 4-8 weeks after the surgery is when most patients begin having trouble. I dilate to 15-18mm. The size to dilate has to be in relation to the original size that it was made. Mine start at 21 to 25 mm and therefore I feel very comfortable dilating to 15-18mm. I have only dilated one first time bypass and one revisional surgery that I had performed in the past 2 years and it doesn't seem to affect weight loss results. I hope this helps you understand the issues in general. Only your own surgeon can discuss the specifics of your surgery. Sincerely, Dr. Selwyn Assistant Professor of Surgery Director of Surgical Endoscopy and Laparscopy UC Center for Surgical Weight Loss [email protected] 513-475-7770

I started having trouble the first day after the bypass. I could not even get melted ice chips to go down. From there on I had problems getting fluids to go down. I ended up getting dehydrated twice in the first 3 weeks, and back in the hospital. My surgeon finally decided that something was not right, and sent me to Mt Carmel East in Columbus OH. At 3 weeks out my opening was only as big as a pin head. They got it to 6 mil, and then did 2 more mil for the next 3 weeks. After finally getting it to 12 mil, it started closing each time, and the last 3 times they have gotten it to 12 mil, and then it closes up to below 10 mil. I don't know if something else is going on. When ever I try solid food, it gets stuck in my chest, and really hurts. Then it is coming back up. I am scheduled for a contrast CAT scan on Tuesday, to see what is going on. I really appreciate your responses, and knowing now that it will be okay if they take it to 15 mil. I am a little scared about them perforating the stomach pouch, but don't feel l have any choice in the matter. I have to be able to take in food, and so I am putting my life in their hands. Again, thanks for your time. I feel better with the information that you have given me.