Question:
Has anyone else had a fistula and had to have a revision?

I am 4 years out and lost 120 pounds and have recently gain 40 pounds back. For the last 2 years I have had severe upper stomach pains feel like it was burning Dr. gave me Prevacid. Then last month got very ill weak have a severe bleed from the upper part of the gastro area because of the dark tarry stools. Had to get a 2 units of blood. My counts have gone up and I am feeling better. Went to see Dr. Scott at DePaul in St. Louis and he seems to think I have a fistula by the previous test that were done. I will have to have a revision the way it sounds. I feel very comfortable with Dr. Scott but I am scare to have another surgery I did not have any complications with first one.    — meghan90 (posted on August 27, 2006)

August 28, 2006
I too am 4 + years out and early on I put back on un nessasry weight. I then had to take at look at the reason...I put alot of blame on my surgery not working... I delt with emotional eating all my life... Found that it was me, I never thought about a revision...I was dealing with alot of blood loss and went through many test to find that I was fine. I soon found someone to guide me in the direction of change... I wish you the best of luck, however, I have heard from many that have had revisions of some type of body odor... I am not speaking from exeriance...Just check that out...I could be way off line, I am just going by "HEAR SAY"... Celeste from 327 to 125, now lean and healthy!
   — shakeyourweight

August 28, 2006
I did not have a fistula, but have known over a dozen people who have had them. Makes you think that YOU are crazy, but no. I'm thinking that I know someone who had your doc and was revised by him, as well.
   — vitalady

August 29, 2006
I am about a year and ahalf out, and I had that burning. I had incredible pain. My husband took me to the ER, they did a CT scan and told me I had colitis. I have to eat a diet for people who have ulcers. If it was to get very bad- It would be bleeding and cause me to have dark, tarry (bloody stools).Certain foods trigger attacks. Raw broccoli, whole kernel corn, whole grains that are not processed. Foods that I thought were good for me. Which normally would be. It's different for different people. My doctors are looking into other meds for me if I have another attack- which has been 2- but I am being very careful what I put in my stomach. I still can't eat meat very well- but I eat alot of soy and drink Isopure. But I am very careful with my amounts. I have lost 108 lbs and have been pretty stable with weight for about 10 months. It sounds like what you have- only the bleeding has gotten very severe. My prayers are with you. The pain is horrible. I don't know how you have lived with it for 2 years! Good luck. Until your surgery perhaps avoiding certain foods will help you.
   — Cdavis226

September 1, 2006
MY SURG WAS 10/2003 I HAD A POUCH TO REMNANT FISTULA 1 YEAR AFTER MY SURGERY. I HAD BEEN SICK FOR A LONG TIME AND KEPT COMPLAINING. THEY FINALLY DID A TEST WHICH SHOWED THE FISTULA RIGHT AWAY. THE TEST WAS AN "UPPER GI" IT WAS VERY OBVIOUS. I DID NOT NEED A REVISION BUT I DID NEED SURGERY. THEY SIMPLY WENT IN AND SEPARATED THE TWO POUCHES AND PUT IN A "BUFFER" AROUND MY POUCH WITH A PEICE OF FAT AND STAPLED IT INTO PLACE. I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR ABOUT 5 DAYS. IT COMPLETELY CHANGED MY HEALTH FOR THE BETTER. THE CAUSE OF THE FISTULA WAS FROM THE TWO STOMACH'S RUBBING TOGETHER CAUSING AN ULCER ON THE OUTSIDE...WHEN THEY HEALED IT FORMED A FISTULA. I HOPE THIS HELPS. FEEL FREE TO EMAIL ME FOR ANY INFO...THE SURGERY WAS SIMPLE AND THE RECOVERY WAS EASY. SO PLEASE...DON'T WORRY...LORI P.S. I THINK THEY CALLED IT A KISSING ULCER FUNNY NAME BUT IT DOES MAKE SENSE
   — lotoa

August 1, 2012
I had gastric bypass and kept my weight off for 7 years. I had severe heartburn, and the doctor went in and "dialated" my opening to the intestine. Unfortunatly he opened the wrong one and my stomach was opened and stopped all food restriction. I am able to eat like i did before surgury. my weight loss surgeon said it is a fistula and is recommending the sleeve. I get it done next month.
   — Roxie1234