So after weeks of being miserable surgeon called Today and said I have a stricture and my LES valve is not opening properly so that's the reason why I am so miserable and continue to throw up and have all these problems.. The LES valve is the valve that opens to let food into the stomach. That along with the stricture cause for pretty much everything I eat or drink to sit in my esophagus and hurts so bad... I was referred to a GI doctor and I'm just waiting for them to call me back and get an appt so They can tell me what's the next step. I have a GI doctor I went to before but the surgeon wants me to go to another one that's within his "network/affiliation." I am concerned.. Has anyone had this before?

Yes. Apparently 5% of us will encounter this problem.

I had another upper GI. The barium that should have passed in 5 mins took 2 hrs to show it had started to pass.

I know that pain you're talking about. I made myself throw up for relief. It was reaffirming to know it wasn't me... it was the sleeve.

The Dr will likely do an endoscopy procedure where he will inflate a little balloon in the area to stretch out and enlarge the "exit valve" of your sleeve.

I had that part done 3 weeks ago and am gradually starting to feel better.

It's still a challenge for me to get my Water and Protein in - but at least it stays down and doesn't hurt like it used to.

I have a Paavlov's dog aversion to a lot of foods now. I look at the food and remember the pain of trying to eat it with the stricture and don't want to eat it anymore. It will take some time for me to get over that but I'm soooooo glad to feel on the mend.

Hope you feel better soon!!