Question:
Pain in the belly area

Usually I have been able to find answers to my questions but I have had a horrible pain above the belly button. It hurts really bad after I eat. I had an upper GI today and it was fine. What else could this be? I hear about twisted intestines in long term post pos and I am 21 months out. Thanks for your input and suggestions. Lisa    — lisab07 (posted on March 22, 2004)

March 22, 2004
If it is an obstruction, it would have to be in the very top portion of the intestines to be seen with an upper GI. You probably need to talk to your dr. about having a MRI done (or cat scan, I can't remember which). Could it be a hernia? Maybe someone that has had a hernia will post. I had a pain just to the side of my belly button as a new post op, when I asked I was told it was just the muscle and tissue healing and the scar tissue pulling. It went away after several weeks. Since you are almost 2 years out, I would keep after your dr. to see what the pain could be.
   — Ali M

March 23, 2004
I had a herniated intestine that caused intense pain. It didn't show up on any X-rays or tests. They finally did exploratory lap surgery and found it. This was early on, but just an FYI that sometimes the tests don't find things, but it doesn't mean that there's not something wrong. Are you having bowel movements? Have they looked for bowel obstructions?
   — mom2jtx3

March 23, 2004
I've been having the same problems. I've seen my surgeon more in the past 16 months than I've seen my PCP. I began having severe abdomen pains after eating about 6 months post op. They were so severe I was doubled over with pain and opted to go to the emergency room. I've had MRI's with barium swallow and nothing shows up except a small hernia, which he can't assure me will stop the pain even if it was repaired. He asked me if I was socializing and talking while I was eating and I realized that I was. He thinks that I am swallowing air as I am eating and talking. I don't know, the symptoms come so randomly that I can't map a pattern. One thing about this is that they will do the hernia repair and at the same time do a tummy tuck and breast lift. I am very careful not to eat and talk at the same time.
   — aprilbaree

November 15, 2004
It sounds like the same thing that I'm going thru. And IT ISN'T GALLBLADDER AT ALL. But no test shows anything because while you are doing the test, the intestine isn't twisted. My husband had to call 911 a few days ago for this problem and it was the worst of the worst attack ever. Off course, ER really didn't so anything but gave me a pain killer thru IV. One of the GI doc said that I have IBS. I went to see another GI doc and he said that my intestin twists because of RNY. He feels that I need to re-construct my gut and want me to go see a surgeon, not my surgeon who did my RNY. A few weeks ago, he had a patient who had RNY by the same doc and her intestine was twisted and a part of the intestine was dead, she had to do an emergency surgery otherwise, she wouldn't have not made it. If you could email me what's going on with you, maybe we can compair notes. I'm going to see the surgeon. I can't stand this problem. I feel like I'm going to die in pain. At least last attack, I thought I was going to the road. I hope you are well. Emily Strickland
   — EmilyUSAV