Fistula - anyone have info or had one

So I have to admit that I have been horrible with follow-up.  I had my surgery in Nov. 1999 just outside of Boston at Newton Wellesley Hospital.  In 2001 I moved back to PA and I haven't seen anyone at all.  I know, I know, I should have been seeing someone all along.  I've talked to the folks at NW and they are helping me find someone here.  They said that the surgery has evolved a lot since 1999 and I could be experiencing issues with a fistula that would cause weight gain. Has anyone ever heard of this or experienced one?  I'm off to scour the web for some info as well. Thanks!

Fistulas can happen as can staple line disruptions......was your RNY an open procedure or lap?  With lap the SLD isn't possible but if you were done open your stomach may not have been transected, so the stable line could be messed up and allowing food to go into the old stomach too. Good luck!

Thanks!  This is helpful. I had an open RnY so this could be the issue.  I need an upper GI to find out for sure. Get this, I called my surgeon's office in Newton and they referred me to someone in Philly.  This doc in Philly will not see other surgeon's patients due to liability.  Ummm....thanks, I guess he thinks it's better that I drive 7 hours to see my surgeon.  Talk about a disappointment.  I know there are other docs in Philly, but it was nice to know this is the one my surgeon's office knows.   Now I'm waiting for a call back with another name.  If I don't get one soon I am seriously considering a road trip.

2 suggestions: 1) get a copy of your surgery report, keep it in your records. 2)  have YOUR surgeon call someone and try to get you an appt, they will help each other better than you calling and saying you were referred.

A fistula is a tract to an organ. So if your experiencing weight gain they are thinking that your pouch and your old stomach must have a tract connecting the two so your not haveing the restriction you once did. Ive read about this as a possible complication.

What part of PA are you in?  I am in Upper Bucks County, south of the Allentown/Bethlehem area.   I know of a very good surgeon, who took me on as his patient when I needed help. Pam

Pam, I'm in Limerick, not far from you.  We go through Quakertown all the time to get to my inlaws home in Bethlehem. Where is the group that took you?