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Bariatric Surgery/After surgery problems- ulcers, pain left side abdom

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Expert: - 1/28/2010


Question
Have you heard of problems with bleeding ulcers following gastric bypass surgery? I have 2 that are just healing. I was taking motrin for pms and broken toe.  Also I am having lots of stabbing pain on the left side lower abdomen every so often that lasts a minute or two and then is gone. When it does it -I am bent over usually. Dr says no idea why. Not a hernia. Been through mri/ct/xrays/swallow tests. Thanks for your time. Jane  

Answer
Hello Jane,

I HAVE heard of having bleeding ulcers prior to AND after surgery, but not AS A RESULT OF Gastric Bypass Surgery.  Motrin should be ok.  But I'm VERY concerned about the 'stabbing pain' on your lower left abdomen.  I would rather not guess.  You don't say whether the Dr that has no idea why is your Primary Care Manager or your Surgeon.  If it is your PCM, ask for a referral back to your surgeon.  If it is your surgeon, try to get a second opinion.  Has your surgeon seen the results of the MRI CT X-Rays and Swallow Tests?  Pain is an indicator that something is wrong - Don't let your Doctor give up.  Ask and keep asking different doctors until you find the answer.  I wish I could have just answered your question straight away, but I'm speaking from your side of the table and I know how disruptive internal pain can be.

When you find out, please let me know so that I can build my knowledge base and actually HELP the next Jane that comes calling with this problem.

I'm sorry, Jane.
Please keep in touch,
Your Friend Steve

Bariatric Surgery

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Steven West

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I can answer any and all questions from the perspective of a weight loss surgery patient. I have had Gastric Bypass Surgery - Roux-en-Y - and can answer questions from the perspective of one who has experienced the pain and suffering of murderous obesity. I have mustered the courage to open myself to the opportunity to live life again! Let me help you get there, too! Weight loss surgery isn't for everyone, but for those who fit some specific criteria, it is a viable option. With the rise in obesity in America, there are suddenly weight loss surgery centers springing up on every street corner, it seems. Choosing to have weight loss surgery is a major decision in your life, and choosing the right center can mean the difference between weight loss success and failure. There are three main types of weight loss surgery being performed today at most all surgical weight loss clinics: the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, which creates a small stomach pouch and bypasses part of the small intestine; the Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, which is similar to the first surgery, but is done laparoscopically, so it reduces the size of the incision, and reduces the pain and recovery time of the surgery, and the LAP-BAND surgery, which is a band fastened around the stomach to create a small pouch. Weight Loss surgery is not for everyone who is obese. In most cases, candidates must be at least 100 pounds overweight. Surgery should be the last resort, rather than a quick-fix. Surgery is a long-term answer to managing your weight, and you need to be aware it will change your life.

Experience

I am a post operative patient of Weight Loss Surgery (Gastric Bypass, RNY). I am interested in providing coaching for pre-operative and post-operative patients.

Organizations
Member of obesityhelp.com.

Publications
Profiled in Obesity Help Magazine.

Education/Credentials
Bachelors Degree in Computer Science. I am an engineer working for Computer Sciences Corporation in the Washington, D.C. area.

Awards and Honors
I am a retired veteran with over twenty years of U.S. Naval Service.

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