Question:
HAS ANYONE'S STOMA GOTTEN ENLARGED

AND IS THERE ANYTHING A DOCTOR CAN DO ABOUT IT. I STAY HUNGRY, I DO NOT EVER GET FULL. ITS LIKE WHATEVER I EAT GOES THRU ME SO FAST, THAT I AM HUNGRY AGAIN IN A HOUR OR SO. PLEASE IF ANYONE HAS THIS PROBLEM WHAT DID YOU DO TO FIX IT?    — Gale G. (posted on April 15, 2003)

April 15, 2003
Are you drinking with your meals or eating a lot of liquidy foods? Are yu transceted? How do you know your stomas emnlarged?
   — bob-haller

April 15, 2003
Gale, you didn't mention how far post-op you are. After we hit the 6 month mark, unfortunately for many of us, our hunger returns and our pouches are a little bigger, this is completely normal. We're supposed to be able to eat about 6-8 oz, and just like everyone says, WLS is a "tool" and we truly find that out after the honeymoon phase is over. We have to work with our heads. Your stoma may be enlarged, only a test would know for sure. But it could just be that it's the natural stretching. And our pouches do empty pretty quickly, that's another reason why it is suggested to eat 5 small meals a day instead of 2 or 3, so we don't feel hunger. Are you doing this? I will often have 3-4 small meals a day, as well as 1 or 2 protein drinks and a protein bar. But if you're concerned, check with your doc. Goodluck to you.
   — Lezlie Y.

April 15, 2003
Hi Gale - I also believe that I have this problem. I have spoken with my surgeon and nutritionist and it is their best guess. There's really very little that can be done. My surgeon suggested an Upper GI strictly for knowledge, it wouldn't really change anything. I have heard of others who have had surgery again and placed the band around the stoma to tighten it up. I don't know any outcomes of that. I am not willing to do it because I still believe I can do this without needing to do that, but it is certainly a lot harder. I feel sorry for the people who feel full or sick all the time, but I am also envious. I wish I had the negative reinforcement that would force me to change bad habits, but am determined to succeed anyway! One suggestion from my nutritionist: eat apple slices and/or baby carots before each meal to give your stomach something solid to work on. It seems to help some. Good Luck!
   — jen41766

April 16, 2003
First I want to say your 'stoma' may NOT have gotten enlarged; BUT been that way from day one! I was the one that mentioned the ring; the surgeon tried; but because I had a regular RNY the fobi ring would not fit. So he had to back out. So the ring is not feasable. There is little documentation out there on this problem; but according to the American Bariatric Association (who must have felt sorry for me and replied to my email) stated surgeons have know about it for years, have failed to fix it and so refert their patients to diet and exericse. I have heard of only one doctor that is experimenting with fixing it going down the throat; but havent been able to fine much on that. I guess Im lucky, in the sense Im not hungry; but I never get full. I did loose weight (140 pounds) during my malabortion phase of the surgery. With dieting you WILL loose weight - well with the malabsortion you can not diet and loose too.. but it depends on how much you had bypassed. The last year and half have been hell eating wise; I finally started to gain (30 pounds) I just recently had my TT and thank god lost 20 of that. I am now seeing a pchologist for eating disorders because after surgery, since I knew the ring wasnt put on and that was my last hope, that I had to learn to 'live' with what I have. I was afraid of eat. went 10 days without.. just did liquids. The stoma can be taken down; but finding a surgeon that will do it will be hard; 99% will not do it - and it can be dangerous. So basically, if your in the boat of a large stoma. You will have to diet. Im sorry.
   — star .

April 16, 2003
My doc has fixed one that I know personally. Because she originally had a horizontal pouch, he made her a vertical pouch, new stoma. If you pop onto the Grad list & ask the question (or if you're less than a year out, ask me & I'll ask it for you), you'll meet up with others who have or had this issue. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG
   — vitalady

August 26, 2003
I have had an enlarged stoma for over a year and a half. There is something that can be done. I had a lap band placed over the top portion of my stomach. I am still having adjustment done but I should soon begin to lose the rest of my weight. I hope this help. email me with questions @ [email protected] if I can help with anything. My dr's name is Daniel Davis and he did my original gastric bypass, a second surgery to correct a fistual, a third for my gallbladder and finally a fourth to put on my lapband. He is marvelous and works with Dr. Bessler out of Columbia Hospital in NYC. My best advice is to check around. There is help available. KEEP LOOKING.
   — Susan B.

August 26, 2003
I was having problems with weight gain after almost reaching goal so I went to see if there was some surgery failure. My WL surgeon said that it was just some people's stoma stretch much more than others and he wasn't surprised at the amount of food I could eat less than 2 years post op. He said it was extremely risky to redo the surgery and wouldn't consider it at this point. He additionally said that what would be the difference in two years post op after the second surgery and now? He had a point if it were true that someone proned to having their stoma stretch once would have the same thing happen again. I assume that was what would be expected from his response? So like every other failed diet throught my life it boiled down to more exercise and less caloric intake. Sigh. I'd very much like to know if there are surgeons doing banding to make up for a stretched stoma. Would the insurance cover this additional procedure the same as they did the original WLS? How has things turned out for you Gail? It's been quite some time since your initial post. Hope things are going well for all of you that answered.
   — sherry hedgecock

August 26, 2003
I have a post on my profile with regard to a stretched stoma written by a long term post op from another site. It is the 7/26/03 post.
   — faybay