Question:
What causes an ulcer post-op?

I am having problems with ulcers. Never in my life had an ulcer pre-op. I am currently 5 months post-op RNY. I was diagnosed with a small one about 3 months ago. Now they think I have another one. Have to get scoped to see for sure. I thought we WLS patients have no acid in our pouches any more? I thought too much acid is what caused ulcers? What could be causing ulcers post-op? Are WLS patients more suseptable (sp) to them? Or am I doing something that may cause them? They gave me Protonix which is I guess an acid reducer. But if there is no acid in my stomach now how can that medicine help heal the ulcer? Not to get to technical but I was just confused & wondering?    — Allison T. (posted on September 20, 2002)

September 20, 2002
Allison, there is still acid in the stomach, just not as much because it is smaller. I never had ulcers pre-op either, but now I do. I have been on Prevacid for 4 months and it is not responding to the medication. I am having it surgically removed next Friday. Mine is in my small intestine and not in my stomach. This sounds drastic to me..but has been the recomendation of three doctors at this point. And I have been in such pain....that I am willing to do anything. Anyhow.....yes there is acid and yes the medication should work. I am a rare example.
   — RebeccaP

September 20, 2002
Was your staple line transected? I continued to get marginal ulcer until I was transected. We think that perhaps there was always a very small compromise in the staple line, which allowed acid from the lower stomach to ooze up into the pouch, BUT not allow food down, so no wt gain. We'll never know for sure. BUT since transection, no ulcers.
   — vitalady