Keeping it honest Friday...

So how's your week been? Did you set any goals and make them? Did you want to chew your right arm off? I did great most of the week, but the last two days - ugh! When I get sick I crave comfort foods big time! SO while my calories have been fairly low, my protein has also been low and my carbs have been high. A diet of oatmeal, cottage cheese, roast beef and popcorn...well ugh. So how's your day shaping up?

Rotten I had an endiscope this morning an it was awful. So far I have had water and some good old chicken soup. Have you ever heard of this, the nurse doing the scope said there was no pouch there??????? Jackie

Yeah I have heard of that...it happens when the stoma stretches out to the same size as the intestine and pouch - so it's a straight funnel. Do you find you get hungry easily or are able to eat a lot at one sitting? See over here a nurse never discusses your tests with you and defers everything to the doc. I guess they do things differently there? Have you discussed this with your doc? Or is she a bariatric nurse...I mean does she know what a 'pouch' should look like? (((HUGS)))

Yes I can eat alot more now. Yep on the hungry side to. My weight has been at an almost stand still for the last 3 months. She only has training with the lap band. She has refered me to her senior who does do RNY but I can't get an appointment to see him untill late May. Is there and treatment or is that it for me? Thanks for the quick response

That was supposed to read any treatment not "and"

LOL Yeah, there is treatment for it - some surgeons are doing a scarring technique - others are doing an injectable thing, which forms a kind of scar build up to make the stoma more narrow. It depends on HOW far stretched it has become. If you have a really elastic intestine and it just spread right out, they may put a band around it or need to surgically make it smaller and then band it. You do have options, but it depends on the doctor as to course of treatment. I've heard of some who are told they'll just have to use control, diet and enjoy the bit of malabsorption they get. BS in my opinion. (((HUGS)))

Thanks for the info. I have been over to the revisions board and have done some research. I totally agree with your last statement, they try that one on me and I can tell you the Sh*t will hit the fan Jackie

Hi Jackie, I realize you are in Scotland, but here is a technique used in Boston, Best of luck to you. WLS procedure for large stoma... I read the following in Nursing Spectrum , New England edition, July 18, 2005, about correcting problems with SLD and when the opening from the pouch to the intestines becomes larger and RNY folks begin to gain weight. I imagine you can read the entire article at their web site. nursingspectrum.com. I couldn't put the article in, in its entirety. Endoscopy to the rescue "Slattery and Christopher Thompson, MD, advanced therapeutic endoscopist and director of developmental Endoscopy at Brigham and Women's Hospital, have developed a procedure to correct pouch problems and help patients avoid another invasive procedure. Thompson's procedure employs an endoscope that features an attached sewing device. The endoscopist inserts the endoscope (following the administration of general anesthesia) through the patient's mouth and uses the sewing device to repair the problem." Another thing mentioned is if you have acid reflux, it could be an indication of an opening in the pouch... MaryLyn

Hi MaryLyn Thank you for this information it has been very helpful. Luckly at the moment I am able to maintain my weight, although I do see the possiblity of gaining in future. I am not sure if the surgeon here in Scotland will do anything for me as I am not his orginal patient, I went abroad to Belgium for surgery. If I need to return to Belgium for the proceedure then I will, it will be worth the trip. Thank you once again for the advice and support Jackie

Your very welcome.