Question:
Has anyone found out that they have an ulcer as a result of surgery?

I had the surgery 11/04 and have found out in the past year that I have a very bad ulcer due to the fact that my surgeon left very long stitches where my pouch and intestine connect. Has anyone else had this problem. I am supposed to see a surgeon about having the stitches clipped or removed???? Thanks, Teresa    — tdickson (posted on July 2, 2007)

July 2, 2007
marginal ulcers are fairly common, but if treated, usually can be fixed by trying a few meds. Can they not do this endoscopicallY?
   — vitalady

July 2, 2007
I know that ulcers can be common but this ulcer is due to the fact that these stitches are in there rubbing against my pouch everytime I eat so the problem won't go a way unless they are removed. I do believe that they will remove them endoscopically but have to see the doctor first to make sure. My real question is whether anyone else has been diagnosed with the same issue. Not just that they have an ulcer but that the ulcer is a result of the stitches. Thanks
   — tdickson

July 2, 2007
Teresa I think that when we have this done anything could happen, to find out if it has happened to someone else could be a chance 1in 100? Did you go back to the doctor that did this for you? He will explain it i am sure. I thought that the stitches were suppose to desolve? Anytime i have any concerns i call the nurse at least. It has been 3 years for you almost i would ask alot of questions..... Good luck,,,,,
   — M. Moore

July 3, 2007
Hi Teresa, thanks for writing. I am reading your question and I feel like you are reading my profile! I had your exact situation. I had surgery in March of 04 and here is what I know from what I went through. First, my surgeon said I was of the "generation" of having a non desolveible stitches around the gastric area you speak of. Why anyone would use a stitch that did not desolve I don't know, but they did. One year post surgery I had a gastric ulcer. I did have an endescope done and they removed a few stitches. It did not get rid of my ulcer. I took protonix for the ulcer which really did help. I was able to take less protonix, but I still had to take it. A Steptember of 05 I had my TT and they checked on the ulcer again and took out a few more stitches, but I was still having to stay on the protonix. After that I just resolved that I was stuck with my buddy the ulcer. Well, last March, 3 years post surgery I began to have the symptoms of an obstructed bowel. I was having problems passing gas and one day it just seemed like I was not able to have a BM unless I took milk of mag. When I saw my surgeon, she confirmed that it looked like I was headed that way, so into surgery I went again. I had a lot of scar tissue that was beginning to obstruct my bowel. They removed quite a bit of scar tissue from my abdomin and in a few days sent me home. To my surprise, I have only taken about a dozen protonix tablets since that surgery. Personally, I think the scar tissue was more of a problem then the stitches, but the stitches can very well be an issue that cause your ulcer. It can happen in some, and removing the stitches is the first step, but for me in the end, it was more of a scar tissue issue. You also had surgery in 04, so this could apply to you. It is not a complicated surgery, and hopefully they will get it done the first time with you. For me, it was just a little more complicated. I don't blame my surgeon, they were doing their best at the time I had surgery, but to me, it is a no brainer to have your stitches desolve. I am glad it is under control, and consider a minor inconvenience to have to go through this, and thankful for my weight loss. Take care, Patricia P.
   — Patricia P

July 5, 2007
Thanks for your response Patricia. It makes me feel a little better knowing that someone else has been through this and was able to get it fixed. Where exactly was the bowel obstruction? Was that from the scar tissue as a result of the ulcer? Also did you have any problems with your upper back hurting? When I woke up from my rny surgery my back was hurting and whenever I get very full feeling my back will hurt. It feels as though my pouch is pushing against something in my back but I have not really bothered with figuring that out yet :) Still trying to get the rest of my issues resolved. Thanks again, Teresa
   — tdickson