HELP! Fistula leading from my pouch to my stomach????

Hello! I had surgery on 11/8 and thought I was doing great. I went in this past Wed for my drain to be removed and I still can't say that the drain removal caused, the fistula, but it sure seems like it!! I had horrible pain when the drain was taken out. I then was given back four foods and decided to try refried beans even though I still had some strange back pain. Fast forward 4 hours the pain was so severe that I fainted, seized, stopped breathing and was taken by ambulance back to the ER, all in front of my 3 year old and 10 month old. It was determined by CT scan that I had a fistula, but it appears to be going from my pouch to my stomach, rather than out into my abdomen, so I guess that is better. I am back on clear liquids for a few more weeks and my surgeon is hoping that my fistula will heal and close because it is leaking, but into my stomach. I read an earlier post and thread about a fistula, but mine seems different b/c they aren't going to operate on it, but I am concerned that I am not going to be as successful in my journey on the losing side since something is leaking. Does anyone have any info to provide? Do you think it will heal and close? Do you think my pouch will be 100% effective or will I always lose stuff from it and never feel the "satiety" we are all striving for? I had some broth tonight and still felt hungry which is scary since I am not even 2w out. Just wondering if anyone can provide insight. My surgeon is pretty non-commital. I am also now horribly anemic and not taking iron b/c they don't think my pouch could tolerate. Any thoughts are so appreciated. MommyX2 Roni 240/220/136

Hi, I had a fistula as well I had surgery read my profile..I wish you all the best Lisa

Hi Roni, I been dealing with a fistula leak for 8 months!...My first Doctor wanted to see if it would heal on it's own also. Doctor's are playing around with theses fistula leaks to long by waiting to see if they heal. Now I face problems for the rest of my life because of him waitting. My #2 Doc repaired it ASAP. Read my profile, I have had nothing but problems. Pat C

journeys - you both have been through so much. I did talk to my surgeon at my 3w appt and he agreed to redo the CT scan at 3 to 4 months out and see what is going on then. So, I don't think that is too unreasonable a time to wait. He put me on soft foods/pureed so I caught up with the rest of the 3 weekers. I am still super nervous b/c I don't feel very "full" when I eat, but I stop when I am supposed to. I am going to address this w/my surgeon on Thurs when I see him again (he is following me very closely). He said my first test would be when I go onto real foods, so I am two weeks out from that - so we will seel. My fistula is leading into my stomach and I am now severely anemic and having to go onto iron at this early stage. Thanks again for your replys!~ Roni 240/205/140

I had my surgery May 20th 2004. I developed a fistual and became septic June 9th 2004. It was a very difficult time. I had my surgery in Richmond Virginia at Bon Secours St. Mary's and stayed in VA until June 6th. I had complained to my surgeons office staff and had been to two appointments at their office and they decided it was just constipation thus treated me with over the counter laxatives. When I returned home to Florida I became sicker by the day. When I was admitted to the hospital here and Dr. Karen MacKenzie a surgeon who had been trained to do the Roux-en-Y and Dr. Asprillia an infectious disease doctor took care of me initally and started me on TPN, placed a drain and the appropiate antibotics. With out their knowledge and assistance I would have probably died. In the town were I live we were not doing the Roux-en-Y and thus did not have the equipment to operate if necessary. At Dr. MacKenzie's recommendation I was transfered to Tampa General Hospital under the care of Dr. Rosemurgy. He and his staff of physicians were great. He at one time did the gastric by pass so is very knowledgable and gave me wonderful care. I was in Tampa General from June 16- July 3. Dr. Rosemurgey wanted to help me avoid an additional surgery so he was patient and thought the fistula would heal. He was correct my tube came out on its own on August 15th (Two days after hurricane Charlie had hit our house and destoyed most of our home). I was hospitalized for the last time from August 15th until August 20th and have gotten better every day. It was a very difficult time as I have a 5 year old daughter. But I was in good hands here at Bon Secours St. Joseph Hospital in Port Charlotte FL and at Tampa General in Tampa Florida. I have lost 125 lbs. My health is good and labwork with my prealbumin status is good. I hope everything goes well for you. My thoughts are with you. Leanne Littrell