Question:
The endoscopy showed my stoma was wide open, and I have an ulcer.
Has anyone had a problem with the stoma being wide open? The reason I requested the endoscopy, was because I was fustrated that I could eat more than I usually could, and have gained 15 pounds. I just never feel full long. They told me when they were doing the endoscopy, that I was lucky I had it done, as they found the ulcer. I'm suprised I got an ulcer when I've been on Previcid daily for about a year now. The Dr. doing the endoscopy said they can do a revision. I guess I want to know what to expect, surgery wise, approval wise (I have the same insurance) and if anyone else has had it, tell me your story. — Marcia H. (posted on September 28, 2003)
September 28, 2003
Near the end of my profile I posted a letter from Carol A from another site
where she discusses her stretched stoma. Mine is fine, but her writing is
so good, I thought I should keep it for others.
— faybay
September 29, 2003
Hi Marcia,
I too had an EGD (endoscopy)on 9/17/03 because I have been able to eat a
LOT the past few months and have not lost any weight for 3-4 months. My EGD
report came back saying "GI wide open". I had a very large hernia
(actually 2 when they got in there)and just had surgery for this on
9/26/03. My WLS doctor did the hernia surgery - his partner (Dr. Clarey)
had said that if the stoma was too big that this could be fixed. The
surgeon (Dr.Bruce) said that it was okay that it was supposed to be open -
he said "if it was closed or too small no food or anything would get
through". He said I just have to watch what I eat now to get the other
100 # off. I have only lost 60# since my WLS 11/6/02. Needless to say I am
very frustrated by the whole mess. I thought that WLS was going to restrict
how much I could eat and I would feel full. This only happens if I eat a
lot of very dense type food - like steak or chicken. If they can repair
stoma opening when they fix your ulcer I would certainly have it done. Good
Luck !!! Kelly
— Kelly B.
September 29, 2003
a 'WIDE stoma' is a problem associated with the RNY. I had my RNY 11/00
and never heard of problems with a wide stoma before surgery. I finally
talked with the American Bariatric Association and they told me that
surgeons have known about this problem for years, FAILED to fix it, so
revert their patients to 'diet and excercise' if it happens. I chose the
RNY for the food restrictions; and currently have NONE. As the other
poster it is FUSTRATING especially if you are not aware of it before hand.
Fortunally, it is now 'coming to light' so people are beginning to know
that it 'could happen' it doesnt happen often - in our group only 2 out of
100. There are few surgeons who will surgircally fix it. I have met one,
which her's was fixed when she had a revision of the 'whole' RNY. Now, if
I talk with people about surgery; I recommend the DS which you cant have
this problem, or the lap band. But IT is a major problem. I was a volume
eater pre op. I chose the RNY so I could have 'limitations' .. I now dont
have the limitations; and on top of that dont have the full feeling, etc.
This can cause other problems. Because I had almost distal.. with 'diet' I
did loose. Maintenance has not been as easy. BUT more than those problems
I think is the 'isolation' When you have the WLS you are usually in a
'support group' I have one.. BUT its hard to feel apart of a group when
YOUR different. Where most of your peers have trouble eating one egg and
you could easly down more... I know this post isnt helping much.. Two years
ago there wasnt any posts on 'large stomas' Thankfully people are becoming
more aware that it can happen. If you are one of the few it DOES happen to
there are not alot of choices out there to fix it. I am scheduled for
surgery next week. My surgeon is going to attempt to fit me with the lap
band. IF it works I will certainly post here this may be an answer to the
people who have the RNY and need their 'stomas' fixed. Keep your fingers
crossed it works :) But as a warning to PRE op.. if you have the RNY this
is a reality it can happen - basically its the opposite of stricture;
except with strictures they can be 'fixed' where this is left to the
patient to 'deal with'. Alot of people with try to post 'use your tool'
etc... the fact is if you have a wide stoma your TOOL is broke. If
surgical intervention isnt available.... phyicological needs to be... it is
VERY easy to get a eating disorder with this problem. Since I dont get
full, I also dont get hungry... and went 10 days without eating... Its a
very mental rollercoaster.
— star .
September 29, 2003
Faye posted she posted a letter written by another person... I just found
it on her profile.. and ITS ME! actually its wasnt written by ME but what
the author writes is soooooooo true. I tried to post this once in another
section of this site and it was TURNED DOWN by the moderators stating it
would 'frighten' people. So UNFAIR... because most insurances' are still
paying only for the RNY and NOT everyone can afford to pay out of pocket
for other surgies.. people need to know THIS can happen.....
— star .
September 29, 2003
Marcie, Helen, anyone else: If you find an answer to an enlarged/stretched
stoma please email me and let me know. I also have this trouble and would
very much like to find a solution to the surgical failure. My doctor also
told me to keep a food diary and it'd be reviewed to find alternative to my
higher fat protein diet. I didn't have surgery to be on a diet the rest of
my life, so I'd like to find a better solution. I wish everyone who has
this problem the best of luck. And I'm thankful that I have found out it's
not my failure. For a while I was feeling pretty down about the 41 pound
regain. S
— sherry hedgecock
September 29, 2003
I had a revision due to a staple line disruption caused by a bleeding
ulcer. I had a hard time convincing PCP that it was disrupted. PCP had me
convinced that "diet and exercise" was my only hope. I finally
got the guts to back to my surgeon in Sept 2002 and had my revision
5/22/03. I am down 102 lbs. The surgery was the same. Dr M said my pouch
had swollen to the size of the original stomach. Get the revision. It is a
medical procedure and should be covered. My ulcers were bleeding ones. The
first required 6 units of blood the second only 1. The third one was the
deciding factor. I also put most of the weight back on. I hoped this helps
to convince you to get the revision. I actually read that ulcers are a
common side effect to the RNY
— snicklefritz
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