Question:
weight gain

I am 5 years post op and have gained 20 lbs back. I also get this awful pain in my stomach and if you touch it it feels like a baby kicking you when you're pregnate, it's really freaky. The doc's said it's nothing but when it happens i can hardly breathe. i' starting to wonder if it's the stoma. i had the RNY procedure. Does anyone else out there have any suggestions? Could it be the reason I'm gaining this weight back?    — Chilli (posted on February 18, 2009)

February 18, 2009
It sounds like you need to see the RNY doctor and see what they say. The stoma may be stretched and allowing you to eat to much without feeling full.
   — trible

February 18, 2009
In the RNY, the stoma is BYPASSED in the surgery, and the surgeon creates an artificial valve for your pouch by creating a fold near the exit where he sews the part of the intestine to the wall of the pouch. This COULD be enlarged, but it sounds more like you are suffering from a spastic colon to me. I suffered from this condition for over 20 YEARS until I discovered that I was allergic to dairy products and BEANS. I would suggest that you have an allergy test done to figure out if you have any allergies, have a colonoscopy done to see if your intestines are inflamed or irritated, and try to avoid what CAUSES the irritation if they are. I believe that if you do this, you will feel MUCH BETTER. Unfortunately, you will likely find that it is something that you dearly LOVE that is causing the irritation, so you are going to have to make a serious lifestyle adjustment. I was a strict vegetarian for 20 YEARS before I discovered that I had an allergy to beans. I now eat chicken and fish to get my protein. This was a SERIOUS adjustment to my diet, but one that I HAD to make for my health. I hope this helps. Hugh
   — hubarlow

February 18, 2009
Yeah, my doctor told me it was nothing, so I got a second opinion...and had a hysterectomy in which a football-sized fibroid tumor was removed! When I first noticed it, it felt like a baby's head. I could be way out in left field, but maybe you should see an OB-GYN just to be on the safe side...
   — sem51

February 18, 2009
Hi, my surgery is this Tuesday and in our pre-op the RN said once you lose alot of weight and internally you lose alot of the fat pockets that used to be between organs beware of any sharp abdomen pains as sometimes parts of the bowel can slip into those newly open areas and can be potentially very dangerous. She added that regular, non-bariatric trained ER staff might do some scans and say they see nothing abnormal but regardless, she said to contact your bariatric surgeon's office right away, as they will work with the ER staff to look for certain things. Good luck and see someone ASAP.
   — opheliafl

February 18, 2009
I am almost 5yrs out April 26th, 2004 I had RNY. I just had a revision called the Rose procedure it is done by scope no incisions at all. they tack down your anastamosis and pouch if needed. I needed to lose 20lbs more so I had it on Dec 30th,2008. I have lost 15 lbs since than. 5 more to go. I can only eat about 1/4-1/2 cup depending on the consistency of the food. I would definetly check with my surgeon he should do some test just to check make sure it isn;t an internal hernia or something like that.
   — msdebbs

February 19, 2009
Well he may say that all is fine but it doesn't sound fine. If there is a pain then there is a problem. Pain is not normal. Make a quick journal of when and how it happens, like what you ate or drank or if it's out of the blue. It doesn't have to be a written statement just notes because our minds don't always remember everything when we go to see our doctors. Best Wishes, Corina
   — Corina C