CT scan shows "old stomach" with fluid, air, and even CT contrast dye! What could be...

Hello everyone. The other night I spent the entire night in the ER. So much pain, unbelievable. Ultrasound showed SMALL spot on gall bladder. CT scan showed no problems according to the ER docs, except small amount of fluid in abdomin. However, today a surgeon called to say he sees something they missed. My old stomach, the supposed inactive one (surgery, open, was feb 2002) is not empty! It has fluid and air, and a small amount of contrast dye made its way into the stomach that is suppsoed to be fully detached and sealed and inactive. He cannot see the entire stomach clearly, since it could not be filled with contrast. I've been having episodes of pain, progressively worsening in severity, and duration, until the other day, it was all day and all night long, severe pain and vomitting. I had to have morphine to be able to consume the contrast! I have pain in my back as well, which is reflective of the cause being the cut away stomach.  Anyone have a clue what could have gone wrong? What is happening? What the risks could be? I was in such shock I asked as many ?'s as I could think of, but have more now, and wont see the surgeon until Monday, unless I have another episode which he said if I do, I need to get IMMEDIATELY to the ER, and tell them I cannot wait in the waiting room, and need urgent emergency surgery. Monday I will have an endoscopy to look at the active pouch, since I also have immediate pain after eating anything. I need a full open exploratory surgery, and then repair of whatever is found wrong. The surgeon I spoke with is in Worcester. My bypass was done in Boston, by Dr Mun. I dont want to travel to Boston, nor wait to be seen there, with scheduling issues and explaining all of this, and so on. It sounds too serious to waste any more time, and the surgeon is not happy I was discharged from the er.  Any one with any knowldge about this kind of thing or links to wheree I can find mor info... I would so appreciate your feedback. I know you cannot tell me what is exactly wrong, but I'd like to have some ideas of what the possibilities could be and hear from anyone who might have experienced something similar. Thank you all, and God Bless, Annalynne

Hi, I also have having sharp pains in my adomen.  Back pain also.  I had open rny sept 05.  have lost 90 lbs.  I went to the doctor thursday and they gave me a gi ****tail, did not work.  Then she gave me something like milanta to take before meals, not working.  Then she said to take some nexium, but said i could take two priolsec instead.  I took two last night, and two this morning.  Was doing okay today until later this afternoon when I had some really sharp pains.  I doubled over.  I am now wondering if your problem could be similar to mine.  Today's pain was worse.  Still not feeling too well right now.  I saw my family doctor, I thought about calling my surgeon Monday, if no better.  What do you think? Michelle Gooding North Carolina

It sounds like you may have a gastrogastric fistula. I have one too. I have had it clipped closed 3 times endoscopically. I hope it will stay closed. I hope they find out what is wrong with you soon. Best of luck Amy

Hi, I had revision bypass october25th less than a week later I was back in ER 102=103 temp, hot cold pain in back lower and upper than in my arm, make  long story short emergency surgery was done absess in stomach so all the liquids and fluids I was eating and drinking was going in cavity of stomach. I all most died. They gave me morphine and didn't help thats how bad pain was. I laid in er for 8 hours they wouldn't call my surgeon it was to the point I couldn't walk my husband had to carry me to th erestroom and then he demanded my surgeon be called he flew there and all hell broke loose. The absess is serious. I am still unable to eat have not ate in 4 months I have a gi tube to get mt medicine and jevity feedings done. I have a hole in my stomach with a fiscila. It's scary. I did have a revision and the mesh from my VGB surgery in 2000 tore my stomach when he went to take that out. The absess is what I wanted to let you know about did you ask or did they rule that out??? Take care and bless you. Dawn Kowarsch

Hello, Annalynne! Wow!  I'm so sorry for your troubles! Pain is a horrible thing and all of this is frightening!  Have you found out anything more? When I had fluid, etc. in my old stomach it was because I had a complete bowel blockage.  I had a partial bowel obstruction from adhesions and had undergone surgery to fix it.  Within 30 hours, my bowel kinked over and completely closed so everything was backing up.  They did ER surgery and drained everything.  I think after 4 surgeries I may be "fixed" -- at least for now. Please take this very seriously and get to the ER if anything changes!!!   I hope you are well!

Hi there, I've been having pain. CT scans and Xrays show everything is normal. An ER doc says it could be IBS?

My WLS surgeon says it could be a kink that comes and goes (meaning it could be a small bowel obstruction). CTs and Xrays cannot detect it according to my wls surgeon. How did they find your cause of pain/issue? Through a ct or xray?

I have A LOT of information on my profile. Your surgeon is correct and you should follow his lead.  My hernia was going in and out of Peterson's space.   My WLS was clear that bariatric surgeons do NOT diagnose internal hernias and blockages in ways that others do.  ER doctors are CLUELESS when it comes to our new anatomy. My surgeon did "exploratory surgery" which is covered by insurance when there is an indicated medical history, symptoms, and suspicion confirmed through a physical exam.   Since I posted this back in March, I've had yet another blockage and just had another surgery on the 19th.  I'm still recovering. Please be advised that these things can become dangerous quickly.  If your pain substantially increases and/or you develop fever, please call your WLS and report that you are visiting the ER.  Then, insist that the ER doctor be in contact with your surgeon.  Insist that you need a BARIATRIC SURGEON.  The best case would be for you to go to the ER where you had your surgery so that you are certain that your surgeon is on staff. If I can answer any other questions, please let me know. Also....do I recall that you are male?  (I'm still on pain medication..)  Check out the Men's Board -- Look up Dx -- he knows of several men that have had this complication and will be able to put you in contact with them! I hope this helps and you are 100% soon!

Hi Annalynne, I'm LeAnn.  I've posted a couple of forum topics lately--one of them was titled I found a doctor who specializes in complications.  He called me and asked me several ?'s to get an idea of my condition.  One of the ?'s was has your pouch and your native stomach grown back together.  That wasn't my problem but it must be something that happens to some gb patients or he wouldn't have asked the ?.  Could that be your problem?   Keep us informed.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, and kind replies. I had the endoscopy on Monday last week. There is no ulcer, and no communication between pouch and supposedly dormant stomach.  Tomorrow I am having surgery. He expects to find vulvulous, or herniated intestines, or adhesions, or any combination of the above, or who knows what else. I signed permission for small bowel resection, which scares me, but, I'm hoping for the best outcome. He will try to do this laproscopically, however expects to likely have to open me fully. I will post when I come home.  Your support has meant a lot to me. thank you all, and God Bless! Lynne

Wishing you well!!  How did your surgery go Lynne?  I hope it went well.  Post when you can.  I hope it went sucessfully and your recovery is rapid!! LeAnn