Question:
I need someone experienced to help me. I have called the doctor's office and left

word, but no response. For the last 2 weeks I have been having diareah problems, sometimes up to 6 times a day. In 1 week I lost 6 lbs which is too musch for 9 months post op. I also have my acid reflux back and moderate pain between my breasts. Has anyone had any similar experience?    — Janie C. (posted on December 13, 2001)

December 13, 2001
I dont have a great deal of experience as I am only 8 weeks post op. But I would call the surgeons office and demand to speak with someone. Are you transected?? My understanding is this....you can not get acid reflux if you have been transected. The part of stomache that produces stomache acid is no longer connected to your asophagus(dont know how to spell it LOL) I thought the only way you could have acid reflux again was if you were not transected and you had a disruption. Please be persistent in contacting your surgeon. Good Luck and keep up posted!!
   — skymaxjr

December 13, 2001
I have a question have you attempted to make an appointment with your surgeon... That's usually how I have to get my PCPs attention if he hasn't called me back after a couple days
   — Elizabeth D.

December 13, 2001
I'm going to ask my own surgeon about this subject tomorrow. As I understand it, nothing is done to the top of the stomach where the esophagus is attached. It seems very possible that for some reason, you have developed a hiatal hernia - where the top of the esophagus bulges up through the "hiatus" of the diaphragm. This hiatus is supposed to be a sphincter of sorts, keeping stomach contents and acid in the stomach instead of washing back up the esophagus. I think this would account for your reflux problems. As for the diarrhea, you may have contracted some sort of gastrointestinal infection, perhaps even a parasite. Make sure you ask the doctor's staff person why he or she has not called back. If you don't get a satisfactory answer, tell that individual you think the medical board in your state might have some recommendations on how to get a call returned. Your doctor will contact you instantly. In 20 years of practice, I have never failed to call a patient back within 4 hours of his or her call to my office. There's no excuse whatsoever for not getting a response. Dr. Vance
   — Dr. Vance R.

December 13, 2001
Ahh sometimes you have to be a pain in the rump. Call again, be nice, demand attention, after all its your HEALTH were talking about. Ask the persons name and tell them you will complain to surgeon. Then complain wether they attend to your needs or not. A good time to catch a surgeon is right before a support group meeting. IF their profile here has negative comments print them and give them to your doc, he NEEDS to know how his staff is treating his patients. Incidently I did this myself. Over a different surgeon than yours, he thanked me for bringing it to his attention.....
   — [Anonymous]