6 Months Post-Op - Marginal Ulcer/Revision?

My highest recorded weight was 275, I'm sure at some point I weighed more but I couldn't force myself to check.  My pre-op diet resulted in my weight being 263 the day of surgery, May 12, 2013.

I've struggled.  I had issues with getting enough protein because the taste/thought/smell/texture of any protein drink caused me to gag or vomit.  Of course that causes other issues including fatigue but strangely enough I also had to deal with ketosis despite my lack of protein.  I did my best to cope and began eating whatever appealed to me just to get some kind of nutrition after my surgeon threatened a feeding IV.  Most days it was unsalted saltines and apple juice.  I took my vitamins and my nexium as prescribed and did my best to be active despite the fatigue.  Not quite 3 months post-op I began to experience debilitating pain.  It would cause me to curl up on the couch and cry myself to sleep, my surgeon said he believed it to be an ulcer and prescribed me protonix.

Two days before my follow up appointment I woke up at 5am feeling nauseous and ran to the bathroom where I vomited 2.5 liters of blood.  The military hospital I was taken to had no idea how to help me, a gastric bypass patient, and was having a hard time treating me so I waited around for 5 hours while they tried to find a bed for me somewhere else.  I was eventually given a place in a hospital an hour away and received an endoscopy the next day.  It was discovered I had a marginal ulcer on a vessel.  The vessel was lasered and the bleeding stopped.  I was sent home with the advice to take my protonix as prescribed and to follow up in a few weeks.  Several appointments in between with my surgeon and the doctor who lasered the ulcer and Tricare was giving me fits about referrals.  I was put on protonix twice a day and we scheduled a follow up EGD.

Still experiencing pain, I was put on hydrocodone but can only take it on the days I'm not working or on days I call in.  On November 6 I had the follow up EGD.. Guess what?  I still have an ulcer.

I have an appointment this Thursday with my surgeon but the doctor that did the EGD mentioned revision.

I. Am. Terrified.  This has been hellish for me and most days not even remotely worth it.

Has anyone had a marginal ulcer?  Did it heal?  If not, how do you cope with the pain?

Has anyone had a revision?  Did it take longer to heal than your initial surgery?  Have you had complications since?  Why did you have the revision?

Have your surgeon try a different PPI and maybe Carafate before a revision.  Yes I've heard of people needing revisions because of ulcers (it isn't very common but does happen).  Before I would allow a revision I'd definitely try something different not all meds work the same for everyone.

I'm on carafate but it's too hard to keep up with and it causes me to become severely constipated.  I will ask about another PPI though... thank you

Take the carafate and take enough natural stool softeners as needed to get the job done. You should do everything you possibly can before going the surgical route. But if you DO have to do it, you know it will be the best thing for you at that time, and hopefully it will end the pain and cure the ulcer. It's mos def not something to be messed with.
Good luck and keep us posted!

The revision may sound scary, but losing that much blood is much scarier.  A non-healing ulcer, especially one that is on a vessel, is serious business. 

Sending positive and healing thoughts your way - good luck -

Im so sorry vor all your going through. I hope you get some relief soon.

So sorry to hear of all of your troubles. I have had issues with gastritis since April a month post-op. I was on carafate and did really well with no pain for about 2 months was also taking 30mg prevacid. Well a couple of months ago non-stop visits with the ER again... bad belly pain in same area, nausea, not able to eat or drink much at all, fatigue. I told them all i knew something was wrong. Had my EGD about a month ago which showed a marginal ulcer.. i've had a few days in between where i feel okay now i am feeling horrible again. I am on carafate again and a 2 in 1 antacid called Dexilant. Like i said helped a few days and i am having problems again. I don't want to end up with a feeding tube so i am trying to force down as much as i can even if it's not "ideal" i can get a weigh****chers ice cream down, usually a protein bar, pure protein canned drink, and that is about it. Luckily my ulcer wasn't actively bleeding but my gastro doctor, surgeon, and dietician are watching me closely... and my labs. I have gone through weeks at 8 months out now where i am still losing over 5 lbs because i am not eating. It's hard and painful. I also have a herniated disc and my thyroid is bad right now so i feel even worse. I see Pain management for my back so luckily i am getting something as well to help with some of the pain. I really hope you feel better if you want to talk message me. I still would do this surgery all over again though had i known what i know now. My sleep apnea, pre-hypertension, pre-diabetes, ALL GONE!