Question:
What are the symptoms of Marginal Ulcers?

I am almost 2 months post-op and was eating just about anything I wanted (just VERY small amounts!) Now, in the past week and a half I throw up almost every time I try to eat, it feels like there is something inside that just keeps pushing the food out! I went back to eating mashed potatoes and cream of wheat and they seem to stay down most of the time. Does this sound at all familiar to anybody?    — [Anonymous] (posted on May 1, 2001)

April 30, 2001
Not exactly sure what the "symptoms" are but I thought I had one. I had burning, and achy tummy feelings a lot about 2 months ago. I saw my surgeon and he didnt seem worried. I started to take Zantac 75 (crushed in applesauce) daily when I felt this way and it really helped. I was told that at about 8 or 9 months post op that the patient's body begins another major change (physically) from the WLS. Things that you could eat early post op, often can not be tolerated at this time due to the changing of the body. Many new studies have been done now that soo many surgeons are doing WLS. These were not available just a short time ago. Thank God that they are researching US and finding out some of the answers to our problems post op!!
   — kathy S.

April 30, 2001
A good friend had an ulcer, and I hate to tell you, but her main symptom was vomiting. She got so sick, she looked anorexic. Now she must take a daily prescription dose of prevacid to prevent future ulcers. She had some pain, but that was minor to the vomiting.
   — Amy K.

May 1, 2001
Not from personal experience, but from information that I have gathered from this site, it sounds more like your outlet has narrowed and you may need to be dilated. It seems that you would have pain and burning or acid problems with an ulcer. From what I have read, there is a simple way to find out if you need dilated. Contact your surgeon soon. You may face dehydration if you wait too long. Shelley
   — Shelley.

May 1, 2001
The marginal ulcer forms at the margin of the intestine to pouch connection. It has the same effect as stenosis, which is to narrow the outlet and cause it to be rigid. Then it's not as helpful with the peristalsis action required to suck foods down through. Big darned nuisance, but very fixable. Either way, you need to turn yourself into the doc and report EXACTLY what happens, how long after eating, drinking, how does water taste & feel, what helps, what doesn't. The EGD (scope) is not painful and may fix the problem immediately. Or you'll be given meds. In all the m ulcers I had, none really "hurt" as such, but nausea was the main symptom. When I had the finaly one that came with the complete staple line disruption, THEN I had pain, but with the small ones, not really. Some get pain in their back. ??? Still, time to call the doc and have him get an experienced eyeball down in there.
   — vitalady