Question:
Has anyone had a dilated esophagus and/or a stoma breaking loose?

Hi, this is Debbi in Ohio. I am 3 months postop and have been complaining since week 1 that I never feel full. At week four surgeon ordered an upper gi to check for staple line disruption, news then was no disruption. While it did not answer why I never felt full, I went forth. I happened to talk to surgeon last week at support group meeting and told him I am really upset that I can hold a big meal (3 slices of pizza, or dinner of shrimp cocktail with lobster tail and steamed veggies, or a dinner of fettucine alfredo with a chicken cutlet) and I don't feel the fullness at all. He was very concerned and said he would get films from my upper gi and we would discuss them at my next appt. That appt was today and he in looking at them said my esophagus is dilated so it can hold alot of food (acting like a stomach) and I would never feel fullness since there are no nerve endings there. It also appears my stoma has a broken stitch and is working loose, so my stoma is enlarging. I am so worried. He is ordering more tests, a scope to look at stoma to see exactly what is happening and a barium meal (I am to drink as much barium as I can to verify I can hold alot at once and to see where it is going/where I am holding it). I know this has not happened to many people, I wish it had not happened to me. I don't feel full, I don't dump, I don't throw up, and I am not even sure if anything is fixable. I asked surgeon today if all this came back as a problem would he operate and he said not now, maybe in 6 months, but in the meantime to stick to the pouch rules diet and do the best I can. This is a very hard journey for me, I feel doomed. Has this happened to anyone else??? signed devasted and brokenhearted in ohio    — DarlinIYQ (posted on February 6, 2003)

February 6, 2003
I don't have any answers, but I wanted to know you aren't alone. I'm sending good thoughts your way. Things will work out. They always do. You've got a friend here, email me if you'd like. :) big hugs (((((((((((((Debbie)))))))))))))))
   — Diana L.

February 6, 2003
Hi Debbi, I read your profile and you ARE not a failure. You are having a hard time and you will get through this. I am so sorry to hear that you are having all of those problems and never feel full. I also eat pizza and other bad stuff, but I do get the full sensation. Just try to keep your chin up and see what the Doctor can do for you. Please feel free to e-mail me if you need encouragement! Hugs your way......((((((....)))))))
   — Toni T.

February 6, 2003
Debbi, I have heard of patients with an enlarged stoma for whom the surgery doesn't work as expected, because the food just goes from the pouch straight into the stoma (so they don't get full). I'm not sure whether there's a procedure to fix THAT yet, though I wonder if a revision to BP/DS might make sense (more malabsorption) for those folks? I don't know, but you might want to ask about that.<P>However, having read your profile, it seems to me that you need to get a handle on why you tested this surgery so early on, and so often (see profile). Clearly, you already wonder that yourself and know that's an issue, from the comments in your profile. Also, it says you've lost 47 pounds in three months or so, so I'm confused about where the surgical failure is and where your failure is. You have a lot of valid concerns here about yourself and the surgery, and yet you ARE losing a lot of weight. There's a lot going on here. I hope you will have success in getting a handle on it all, and please don't be too hard on yourself through all this!!
   — Suzy C.

February 6, 2003
Hi Debbie.. We have spoken in chat about this.. I HAVE the same problem...Or at least, the not feeling full. My Endoscope didnt show an enlarged espogus (sp) but the Upper GI test did show that I had NO pouch function. The main thing about THIS PROBLEM IS........ that 'it' has been around for a while; but KEEP SECRET!! I was aware of the problem from day one.. at that time my surgeon was 'surprized' but assumed since I wasnt throwing up, I wasnt overeating. #1 - IF YOU HAVE THIS PROBLEM: with 'diet' you CAN LOOSE WEIGHT... The malabortion part of the RNY does keep working; but to comment on the other poster about 'evaluating your reasons for 'testing' by eating so soon.." hmpt! Reason people have this surgery is that the majority cant stick to a 'diet' IF 'just diet' was effective NO ONE HERE WOULD NEED SURGERY PERIOD! You get this tool to help; when its not functioning correctly it causes problem; and as for myself; doesnt everyone 'test'? you are learning to see where your limits are... and when you discover there arnt any it can be very difficult. 99% of the surgeons; when this happens to patients.. refert them to 'diet and excercise'. According to the Bariatric Association (after numerous emails) finally stated most surgeons have not had 'success' in surgically fixing this problem; so they dont anymore. My surgeon; at first; stated he would not touch the stoma; but would change me into a DS; but then changed his mind. He said he would only consider reoperting if I 'gained' weight. I have finally found a surgeon that is going to put the fobi ring on when he fixes my hernia.. Hopefully this will 'work'. If not; I dont know what I will do.. This has been very difficult these last 2 years. I have lost weight (140) but maintenance has been hard; overeating is hard; and I have gained about 20 pounds.. This too has been hard... You feel different cause you have had surgery; you have those fears of 'not' loosing... and you feel different from your surgery peers cause you can 'eat'... How can you relate to someone who can barely eat 1 egg when you dont have that trouble... Debbi keep me posted... and I'll do the same.
   — star .

February 7, 2003
If it comes to the point that you can't get anything done for 6 months, why don't you ask your surgeon about Phentermine? It would help curb your appetite and maybe then you could eat less, without stretching your esophagus any more, and you would still feel satisfied.
   — jengrz

April 17, 2006
Debbi I had lapband surgery 13 months ago and now I too have the dilated esophagus, all food just sits there and does not go down as it should. I am to go to a specialist next week to see what I have to do. I am worried to I will have to have band taken out. Let me know how you progress. I know their are not many with this problem that I have.
   — lynnlambert