Gastrogastric Fistula

Help, i need to know more about Gastrogastric Fistula.  I'll be 10 yr out 11/11/2012.  When I had my R/Y I had a lot of trouble.  A leak and many other problems. Read my my story and you will see.  Now I have put back on 25 pounds, I thought from not eating the way I should, starting throwing up a lot more with a lot of bile.  Started having pain, checked for everything.  Was told this week that I have a Gastrogastric Fistula .  My dr has checked with a bariatric surgeon and they both hope that they can see me heal with medicine.  I am now on Carafate. My question is have any of you been this route and be able to heal with meds.  I really don't want surgery if I can go another way.  I spent ovver 8 weeks in the hospital teh first time.  My weight then was 310 down to 145, now 170.  I am thankful for where I a have been, just want to NOT get into the problems of the past. Any suggestions would be appreciated. may Jesus bless each of you on this journey.

Hi there - I too am in your boat however, I only just had surgery back on April 4th.  I developed an infection in my old stomach about 6 days later and had to have a laperotomy.  It was discovered a week later that I had a leak and then two weeks later that I have a gastrogastric fistula that is sitting right at the base of my esophagus. I've been in the hospital twice and have now been on TPN for a month.  I'm on clear liquids but not allowed to eat anything. 

My doctors are also taking the wait and see approach but I'm not on any meds.  My frustration is that they can't say how long they want to wait. From the research I've done sometimes these will heal on their own but they can take a very long time, and most will require surgery of some type to be corrected. I'm not happy with waiting and am currently researching other doctors who may be willing to be more aggressive.  I've heard good things about the Cleveland Clinic and we contacted them yesterday.  I've just got to work on faxing them the paperwork they requested. 

This whole situation is a real ***** and I wouldn't wi**** on my worst enemy.  I always feels like there's a golf ball sitting right under my breast bone and I'm nauseous all day.

I wish you the best of luck and God bless you...

I just found out on monday that I have a huge ulcer in my pouch, the doc prescribed me the carafate, mine is caused because I am steriod dependant on prednisone, for which I take for addisons disease. I have to continue with the prednisone and pray that I can get the ulcer to heal. My gastric doc is very scared, he told me there isn't any surgery they can do to help me and can't reverse my surgery... I have lost 200 lbs and had no complications except throwing up after eating and thinking I had very bad GERD. So I am looking for anyone who is going through what I am.... I was told if the ulcer periforates my pouch I will die a painful death... I am very scared only getting this news a couple days ago... Any suggestions anyone?

Trina

I am somewhere around 10 years post op.  Since the surgery I lost about 200 but  after 2 csection I have gained back a significant amount I just found out through an ent I have reflux so I'm wondering do I need to get further tests to make sure it's not something else? what type of tests should I get?

You need to see a bariatric doctor. You should have reflux.
On May 5th, it will be 10 years since my open RNY Bypass.
I originally lost 149 lbs. About 4 years ago started gaining weight back. Could eat more. But just thought it was cause I wasn't eating correctly. 8 weeks ago started having heartburn. My surgeon retired several years ago. Seen a new surgeon this past Thursday. He reminded me that we should never have heartburn. He thinks that I have a fistula. I'm having a scope on April 4th and then a barium swallow.