Question:
what is a fistula in the stomach

i am one week post op when they did the leak test they found i didnt have a leak but i had a fistula between my old stomach and my new one my dr doesnt seem to know much about this or what to do he said it would probably seal itself off but i would have to stay on liquids a lot longer than planed he thought it might be caused because they made me drink to much when they did the leak test that it had put to much pressure on the pouch im not sure about this or if he is just trying to blame it on someone else i have looked on this sight and found a little about this but not anything just like mine i wonder what this does to your body and to your weight loss i hope someone can help me with this i dont know what to do i am realy worried if anyone would like to email me my adress is [email protected] this sight has helped me so much to get to this point dont know what i would do without it thanks heather sloan    — 06babyboo (posted on January 26, 2003)

January 26, 2003
Heather, I think in this case a fistula simply means that you have a pathway between your new pouch and your bypassed stomach. My concern would be whether this fistula will seal off, or whether it will continue to enlarge and have the effect of a staple line disruption, allowing food to pass into the larger stomach and reducing the effectiveness of your pouch. Good luck -- I hope your doc will stay straight with you and that you can continue to push for accurate and meaningful information from him.
   — mmagruder

June 3, 2003
I certainly don't have an answer but I have a Fistula of the stomach also and i'll be 2 years out Oct 4, 2003.. The test show the contract leaking into my old stomach from the pouch. The pouch is enlarged and reattached itself to the old stomach. Therefore I am gaining weight and no insurance to get this fixed. My worried are problems associated with this if any, does anyone know if there can be more problems to come besides weight gain and high risk of Ulcers.
   — Michelle G.