Lilyofthevalley
Revived & Revitalized
The last four months have been interesting and educational to say the least. I can not emphasize enough that if you have a gut feeling (pun intended) that something is not right with you, and you can't find relief in simple answers, DON'T GIVE UP...KEEP DIGGING FOR SOLUTIONS!
It began here: http://bariatricfacts.org/threads/m...advocacy-could-save-your-life.771/#post-10392
Turned into this: http://bariatricfacts.org/threads/when-eating-hurts.1078/#post-15448
And is now HERE:
After eliminating iron and zinc from my daily supplements the severe pain subsided, however the vomiting and inability to eat normally did not. Since my insurance would not cover a visit with my DS surgeon I decided to see a "digestive system specialist." Before I had my hernia and gallbladder surgery in January, I had a colonoscopy with a very kind and professional gastroenterologist. I called her office and made an appointment for an assessment. After three visits, an upper GI scan, and two endoscopies she told me I had at least two strictures in the upper and lower stomach.
She immediately contacted my DS surgeon and his office called me 15 minutes later me and asked me to come in the next day for a consult and further testing. I am not good at repeating medical jargon so I will explain my results in "Deespeak." I was able to watch the contrast liquid flow slowly down towards my stomach and then hesitate and slowly trickle in, only to stop flowing in a lower area, which the Dr described as "all kinked up." I also observed that as I continued to drink, the stricture became more and more dilated, and the liquid flowed through more quickly. He also discovered that my sleeve is still very "tiny" and has not stretched as would be normal after 18 months.
My surgeon does not want to do more surgery on me. I had five major surgeries in 17 months and experienced many complications with the last two. Since scar tissue appears to be the culprit in my lower stomach he thinks more surgery right now would just not be prudent. So, currently I am learning to live with it, which is not so bad at all, now that I understand "what" I am living with.
For me the treatment or temporary solution is to drink 20-30 ounces of water or other fluids in the morning before eating anything to open up that dilation process. Most mornings I have a protein drink and water. I am sure to drink at least 8-10 ounces of water between meals and to drink with meals if I need to. I also eat very slowly, chew overly well, and plan carefully when eating starches or meats. Solid stringy or dry meat, bread, and other dry or flour based foods, are the buggers that can get things stopped up the quickest.
The fact is that the problems I have had since surgery are not all related to my DS and those that are, were irritated by the secondary Hernia and Gallbladder surgeries. In almost all of my challenges there was more than one cause to be discovered. I was misdiagnosed and misdirected several times. With the amazing support I received from vets here I kept searching for "my" truth.
With all the pain, hoopla and drama of the past 8 months, my life is still miles ahead in quality and joy, from where it was for the 10 years before my DS. For those of you dealing with problems and set backs, please don't give up. Keep looking for answers. I do believe you will eventually find them.
It began here: http://bariatricfacts.org/threads/m...advocacy-could-save-your-life.771/#post-10392
Turned into this: http://bariatricfacts.org/threads/when-eating-hurts.1078/#post-15448
And is now HERE:
After eliminating iron and zinc from my daily supplements the severe pain subsided, however the vomiting and inability to eat normally did not. Since my insurance would not cover a visit with my DS surgeon I decided to see a "digestive system specialist." Before I had my hernia and gallbladder surgery in January, I had a colonoscopy with a very kind and professional gastroenterologist. I called her office and made an appointment for an assessment. After three visits, an upper GI scan, and two endoscopies she told me I had at least two strictures in the upper and lower stomach.
She immediately contacted my DS surgeon and his office called me 15 minutes later me and asked me to come in the next day for a consult and further testing. I am not good at repeating medical jargon so I will explain my results in "Deespeak." I was able to watch the contrast liquid flow slowly down towards my stomach and then hesitate and slowly trickle in, only to stop flowing in a lower area, which the Dr described as "all kinked up." I also observed that as I continued to drink, the stricture became more and more dilated, and the liquid flowed through more quickly. He also discovered that my sleeve is still very "tiny" and has not stretched as would be normal after 18 months.
My surgeon does not want to do more surgery on me. I had five major surgeries in 17 months and experienced many complications with the last two. Since scar tissue appears to be the culprit in my lower stomach he thinks more surgery right now would just not be prudent. So, currently I am learning to live with it, which is not so bad at all, now that I understand "what" I am living with.
For me the treatment or temporary solution is to drink 20-30 ounces of water or other fluids in the morning before eating anything to open up that dilation process. Most mornings I have a protein drink and water. I am sure to drink at least 8-10 ounces of water between meals and to drink with meals if I need to. I also eat very slowly, chew overly well, and plan carefully when eating starches or meats. Solid stringy or dry meat, bread, and other dry or flour based foods, are the buggers that can get things stopped up the quickest.
The fact is that the problems I have had since surgery are not all related to my DS and those that are, were irritated by the secondary Hernia and Gallbladder surgeries. In almost all of my challenges there was more than one cause to be discovered. I was misdiagnosed and misdirected several times. With the amazing support I received from vets here I kept searching for "my" truth.
With all the pain, hoopla and drama of the past 8 months, my life is still miles ahead in quality and joy, from where it was for the 10 years before my DS. For those of you dealing with problems and set backs, please don't give up. Keep looking for answers. I do believe you will eventually find them.
