Question:
Has anyone had a large stoma fixed?

I have always been able to drink and eat more then I should and have lost very slowly since going off the liquid diet. I am suppose to have a 5cc stomach but can eat regular small meals and could pretty much from the time I could begin eating regular food. I have only lost 54 pounds in 9 months. I told the DR I felt I could eat to much but he said as long as I never take more than 7 bites at a meal I'll be fine. In other words right back to diet and exercise so why did I have a $40,000 surgery. He seems unwilling to even check out the problem. Has anyone gone to another Dr to get something like this fixed? I have never vomited from day one and can eat any food and take reqular pills etc. Someone I know just had the same surgery from the same center and she has lost 60 pounds in 7 weeks. She can not eat but a couple of ounces at a time. I feel ripped off she had the surgery I thought I was getting!    — Candace F. (posted on October 9, 2002)

October 9, 2002
Mary I am not consuming large quanities but I seem to not lose if I consume more then 700 calories a day. I understand I need to still watch what I eat. But I expected some help from this new tool. I mean why have the surgery at if it doesn't limit intake. If all obese people only ate 7 bites a meal we would all lose the weight and there would be no need for WLS.
   — Candace F.

October 9, 2002
Candace: I understand what you are saying. And there are people whose stoma stretched so much that the food goes right through and they never feel full. Before you go up this road, I would document everything that goes into my mouth on fitday.com for two weeks. Then when you have this information, go to your surgeon. If he is not helpful, you may need a second opinion. First things first, document eating and weight. Good luck.
   — faybay

October 10, 2002
Ask for an upper GI. Early on, when I told my surgeon how much I could eat, he sent me for an upper GI. I actually got to watch the procedure on a screen. Turned out my pouch was fine-2 to 3 oz as it was supposed to be. Surgeon thinks that I when I eat I am filling up the pouch and the esophagus tube leading to the pouch, allowing me an extrafew ounces. Anyways, I stopped eating so much at meals, and probably 7 bites is a good measure. Sometimes its not how much we are eating, but what we should be eating. Are you not full or are you still hungry after 7 bites?
   — Cindy R.

October 10, 2002
I also feel like I can eat more that most and I am considered a "slow" loser, I have lost 105lbs , I am 10 months out Distal/RNY. Although we all loose at a different rate, I would be concerned about the WL vs Time out. Are you still losing?? you could be slow and steady... about the diet thing...well, I have to disagree with the Pre-op who answered earlier about this being a tool, not a guarantee of not dieting anymore..I feel this surgery is a tool and during the "honeymoon" phase I can re-learn good eating habits to have a better "diet" not "diet" like we all have done so many times and failed, but "diet" as in the foods that we eat. I know some have become very diligent about their food and can treat it like a "diet" but we are made up of so many different types of personalities and "dieting" habits that no-one can say what is right for you. I would get an upper GI, and see what is going on there. My doctor says I am fine because I am still losing weight..again, I am slow and steady, where others have been at goal by this time. But remember, this is your body, your life...make him give you an upper GI!!! Best wishes!
   — Patricia R.

November 12, 2002
I understand what you are saying. I had an open RNY 11/00 I noticed I ate more from day one than what people here told me I should be able to. I mentioned it on my FIRST post op visit, my surgeon, told me if your not throwing up your not overeating... WRONG. It took almost another 6 months before my surgeon did tests. Turns out, my pouch is FINE,.. but the UPPER GI test showed NO food was staying in the pouch... it was going directly into the intestines. I was then ordered an Endocopcopy. This showed the actually size of the stoma.. turns outs I was in 'normal' limits' but eventenly not 'normal' for me. I found this out over a year ago, its been a battle since. For one I found NO information this could even happen prior to my having surgery so I didnt know what was happening. Afterwards, thru research, I was informed by the ABSA that if you get this your basically on your own... surgeons have had little luck 'fixing' itso they then to ignore it and refer their patients to 'diet and excercise' which if totally worked for 'us' we wouldnt have needed the surgery in the first place. I have found a surgeon who does the fobi ring, and feels this will fix my stoma problem. I have been approved to have the ring inserted but have not yet had it done. For those of us who have this problem its very fustrating! You go into this surgery cause you want the'limitations' and then you dont get it. and for ALL those who 'tote' its 'just a tool' GOD I hate that term.. YES its a tool, but if YOUR TOOL IS BROKE.. its a 'usless' tool.... I have found that this problem seems to happen to about 1% of the surgeries and is being swept under the rug.... its a MAJOR thing if its YOU that has it... Im sorry I dont have much 'help' to give. Its very frustating.. Its my 2 year anniversary this week and Im still fighting this problem. As far as weight loss goes, YES I did loose weight (140 pounds) but its been a battle food wise.. this whole year. Because the pouch isnt working at all... Its hard to 'judge' ...I dont get the 'full' feeling, and if I continue to 'eat' until I get 'full' Ive overeaten and feel physicall bad.
   — star .