Bleeding ulcers - info, not really a question
I am 4+ years post op and have dealt with ulcers since about 6 months out. I've been given loads of half information and even had one removed surgically. I was released from the hosptal a couple of days ago from almost bleeding to death from an ulcer. (I didn't even know mine were bleeding.) However, through all of this, I have finally learned why I have them, what causes them, and sort of how to fix it. I'm posting this as a fair warning of complications from this surgery, I'm sure it's not super common, but it is something that could happen to anyone with the RNY. Aparently the stoma (new stomach exit) when it was created didn't heal perfectly and the area doesn't have terrific blood flow. It's enough to keep the tissues alive, but not enough to heal damaged tissue quickly. Each time I eat something that scrapes this tissue, or don't chew something as thoroghly as I should, it scrapes the tissue and in turn, takes forever to heal. Ulcer. The day before I went to the hospital I ate something that didn't quite sit right, (you know what I'm talking about) I've learned to stop eating right then and there or it just gets worse. Anyhow, by the next day it didn't hurt any more but I felt a little queesy. I never would have know that the ulcer was bleeding except for the fact that my stomach was so full of blood I felt like I had eaten too much and was about to hurl. And hurl I did and immediately rushed to the ER losing nearly a 1/4 of my blood volume. The point of my question/post is that no matter how far out you are, you still are NEVER normal and you must chew chew chew, and pay attention to your body. There are many causes of post-op ulcers, I finally found out what causes mine. I had not even thought of this being the reason, so I thought I would share.
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