Question:
what is a stricture

   — Cchaps (posted on March 13, 2010)

March 13, 2010
stricture is a narrowing of the opening from your stomach into your new intestines.
   — bridget B.

March 13, 2010
A stricture is scar tissue that forms around your stoma (the opening from your new stomach pouch to your intestines). It can "constrict" the opening, therefore it is called a "stricture". It becomes so small sometimes that your food can't pass through unless it is liquid, so it must be fixed. It can be fixed quickly and painlessly by an gastroenterologist, who, in an outpatient setting, will usually give you some conscious sedation (however, I made them put me completely out because I suffer from anxiety and a massive gag reflex), and put a small tube down your throat into your stomach and guide it to the opening of the stoma. There, they will inflate a balloon on the end of the tube, and leave it there for a few minutes to stretch the scar tissue back out and make the opening a normal size. All total, from pre-op preparations (getting checked in, getting the IV started, taking a short history and double-checking allergy information) to post-op observation (checking your temp and blood pressure 4 times, making sure you can eat something like a graham cracker and drink something like juice)....I think I was there for less than 90 minutes. I couldn't have been in the treatment room for more than 10 or 15 minutes, and I didn't even have to change out of my street clothing OR take off my shoes! They just put a warm blanket over me, which was nice.
   — Erica Alikchihoo

March 13, 2010
Actually, the first answer is not completely correct. A stricture can best be likened to what happens to your intestines when it twists upon itself. Basically, you need to think of your intestines as a long balloon. Some people have the ability to twist a balloon to make balloon animals, flowers and other objects. What occurs with a stricture is similar to the twisting that makes the shape of the balloon animal. The usual treatment for this is to stick a scope down the digestive tract and untwist the stricture. That usually takes care of the problem, but not always. Sometimes surgery is needed to get the kinks out. I hope this helps.
   — hubarlow