Expert: John Pilcher, MD - 9/24/2009

Question
Dear Doctor,
    I had Lap.Gastric Bypass surgery in 2001. I lost most of the weight I needed too.  Recently though,I began to lose more due to nausea after eating, which has made me eat less. Lately, I have also had pain below my ribcage.  Long story short, I went to my family Dr. and he said I have a baseball size ulcer in my stomach. I haven't had any formal exams, like an upper G.I. or anything. My Dr. just felt my stomach, after I showed him what I thought was just a golf ball size lump.  
     My question is, should I be worried, or just leave it alone? My Doctor doesn't seem worried, but he's not that familiar with bariatric surgery, either (He said if the lump began to bulge out really noticeably, then I should worry).
    Thank you.
Sincerely,
Lorena

Answer
Lorena,
I don't mean any disrespect for your primary doctor, but you DEFINITELY should be evaluated by a surgeon.  Ideally, you would be seen by the surgeon who did your gastric bypass in 2001.  The second choice would be a bariatric surgeon at a Center of Excellence close to you.  The third choice would be a general surgeon.  At this stage, we don't know if the lump really is an ulcer.  If it is, then it needs additional diagnosis and treatment.  If it is not an ulcer, then it's pretty likely that treatment would be needed for the actual problem that underlies the lump.

You can find Center of Excellence surgeons in your area on the web at:
http://www.surgicalreview.org/locate.aspx

Best of luck,
Dr JP