Hi there, just wondering if anyone knows how common strictures/scar tissue is after gastric sleeve? And if its something that is always going to be a possibility even years down the track? What I can see its something that cant be avoided happening, its just one of those things, but cant seem to find any research on it etc

Cheers

I had a stricture in my esophagus. Well, I still do, really. It's gotten better but it's still not back to where it was before. It no longer bothers me, I'm used to it. From what I am told, however; it's not common.

Yes, very rare... but very rare things happen. However, from what I've read the chances for complications diminish with time and by 6 months you are back to baseline and should expect no additional complications...

My research has turned up the same info as Arts. For example, sleeve complications are higher than band complications in the short term (can't remember the exact stats). But in the longer term, the complications of sleeve go way down compared to the band. Basically, if its going to go wrong with the sleeve it goes wrong within the first couple months. (As long as you stick with your long term diet and vitamin supplementation) I would talk to your surgeon about their specific complication stats because little variations in techniques make a difference in leak/stricture rates (I.e. bougie size, oversewing, pre and post op diet plan, etc.)

Thank you so much for your replies, very good idea, ill ask my surgeon about bougie size etc, i'm finding it difficult to ask them questions etc as I actually walked from my surgery last year, i was gowned up ready to go and i flipped out and had a panic attack, i have been in therapy for the last year and all the things i was worried about im totally cool with now, its more just the long term complications that worry me a little, but nothing like last year, i just came across a few things about strictures and scar tissue etc and i was curious to find out more about it, my surgeon wont operate on me unless he feels i am ready (fair enough, great surgeon!) so i feel awkward if i ask questions again or show any signs of anxiety i wont get the all clear, but its my body and i sorta feel its my responsibility to investigate possibilities of things that could be happen, knowledge is power kinda thing! It feels really good having great sites like this just to blurt it out and ask all these random questions and not feel like you are being over anxious etc. thanks so much guys xo

Of everything to worry about, this is on top of my list. I'm glad you posted this question. Thank you.