Question:
I am 9 months post op and having terrible pain in my pouch area

My tummy is even tender to the touch at times. The pain is right under my sternum a burning pain. DOesn't change if I eat, take antacids or even perscription meds for acid control. DO we have acid in the pouch and is it enough to cause this pain? ANy suggestions as to how to ease this. I work for my PCP and he said to stick with the measures I am doing but now nausea is starting to set in. Wendy 259/155/145    — Wendy H. (posted on August 13, 2003)

August 13, 2003
Hi, yes we have some acid in our pouch, but it sounds like you might have an ulcer, so you need to call your surgeon. They can do an upper GI to check for one. Good Luck to you!
   — Melodee S.

August 13, 2003
Hi I had similar pain and considered it stress and let it go. Unfortunately I had an ulceration, which was caused by some medication I was taking. Consequently, I have had 4 strictures. Call your surgeon so he can recommend a gastroenterologist and let them scope you to see what's going on. Maybe just acid, but be safe. Just some advice that I should have listened to myself. Take care.
   — Karen Renee

August 13, 2003
I was about 5 months out and started to experience a terrible burning around the pouch area. I was on a medication for acid and was told to take liquid Maalox but over the next week it steadily got worse, rather than better. They did a endoscopy and discover an ulcer. They upped my acid medication and put me on another medication to coat my stomach and within a week or so pain was just about gone. Now, about a month later, they just did another endoscopy on Monday and the ulcer is healing quite nicely. He also did an upper GI to make sure there wasn't anything else going on that had caused the ulcer. Call your doctor and be a pain. Insist that he check it out.
   — kathyb

August 13, 2003
I had ulcers pre-surgery and now have to take Prilosec twice a day FOREVER to heal them and prevent them from coming back. Your pain sounds like an ulcer and you may need prescription strength medication. I would not let it go too long because sometimes they don't get better on their own and can start to bleed, which is BAD. They can also perforate your pouch and cause bleeding/infection in your abdominal cavity. Meantime though, you can try the over-the-counter meds for ulcers, like Pepcid, Zantac or Tagamet and see if they help. If they don't, you may need X-rays or a scope to see if that's what is really going on. You should really be looked at - not just told to keep doing what you are going, especially if you aren't feeling any better! It could eventually affect your ability to eat and/or keep food down. Please don't wait too long and if need be, INSIST that you be examined!
   — MomBear2Cubs

August 13, 2003
My mother had same problem, she had her surgery revised by my bypass surgeon, Dr. Stanley Klein in Torrance, CA. He found that her band had erroded causing small ulcers. He also found that her esophogas had been trying to stretch and this was causing her pain also. I'm not sure which surgery you had, but Dr. Klein is the king. He did my long limb bypass 4yrs. ago and I have no trouble. Medication will not rid you of pain, if this is your problem( what my mom had).
   — Chantelle D.