Question:
My Fear: Stricture & Blockage

I am not a worrier by nature. I feel that everything happens for a reason and believe in taking one day at a time BUT now that I am post-op and alive :-) and things are looking great I have this uneasiness creeping into my brain. I would like to know how common strictures and blockages are actually. I plan on discussing this with my surgeon at my post-op appointment but wanted to ask you guys first. Is there anything we can do post-op to minimize our chances of these complications?    — crishsapig (posted on December 27, 2001)

December 27, 2001
I don't think there's anything you can do to avoid strictures... but they're easy to fix. I had to have a scope to stretch a stricture and it was nothing. One thing my doctor told me about blockages was to strictly adhere to the post-op diet. However, they could still occur, but it's not that common. Part of my upper intestine got "kinked" a couple of months post-op. They did a laproscopic procedure in "un-kink" it, and it was a breeze. Nothing like the WLS. I was out the day after the procedure. So try not to worry. Even if something happens, it will probably be easily resolved like mine was.
   — mom2jtx3

December 27, 2001
Christine, I have had 2 strictures. I wish there was a way to prevent them, but there isn't. The only thing you can do is stick to your diet. Even then, they're not always preventable. I stick to my diet to a "T" but I still have had 2! Strictures aren't bad enough to worry yourself to death about. They're annoying--they depress you because you can't eat! But, they're easily fixed (by endoscopy--while you're under sedation) and when you wake up, you feel so relieved. Every stricture is different too--depending on size, etc. My first one caused constant nausea, vomiting, foaming at the mouth (right before throwing up) and I couldn't keep any food or fluid down. That was what I knew of a stricture! When I came down with my 2nd stricture, I could keep fluids down and occassionally a little solids (like a noodle from soup). I also wasn't nauseous with my 2nd stricture. They're miserable, but it's definately not the worst thing that could happen to us--and the relief after it's been fixed is amazing! Just pay attention to your body and it will let you know if something is not right. Congratulations on your surgery and surviving :o)
   — Kristin R.

December 27, 2001
I was told that strictures occur in about 5% of the WLS patients. So it shouldn't be something to worry yourself with. I have had 2 just recently. I am number 6 out of 200-300 at my doc's practice (actually thats more like 2%) And although it is not fun, it isn't the end of the world and can be fixed quite easily. More of a nusiance than anything. I hope I am done with them. Good luck.
   — Cheri M.