Anyone heard of stricture coming back at over 1 year post-op? I am 15 months post-op and had balloon dilation exactly one year ago to fix my stricture. The last few days, I am having a terrible pain. It is like a spasm in my esophagus and I am having trouble getting food down (well good food - chips seem to go down too easy ) Anyway, the pain is pretty bad and not the same I had with my previous stricture but not be able to get food down makes me think stricture. I will call my dr on Tuesday and meanwhile try to eat when I can and supplement with shakes (which seem to go down fine). Just made fabulous chicken and 2 bites in, I simply cannot eat anymore - and I took small bites and chewed thoroughly. I just cannot figure out what is going on.

Yesterday, I thought maybe an ulcer but now I am not so sure... Any ideas out there? Anyone have a stricture come back at this far out?

According to http://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/bariatric/risks_of_bariatric_surgery.html

Intestinal obstruction (blockage)

In some cases, scar tissue or inflammation can narrow the new connection between the stomach and intestine. This is called a stricture. Strictures usually develop four to six weeks after surgery, and affect less than five percent of bariatric surgery patients. Patients with strictures will notice that they are progressively less able to take in fluids and food. Strictures can be treated with an endoscope, which is a thin, flexible tube with image sensors and special tools at the tip. A doctor will use an endoscope with a tiny inflatable balloon at its tip to open the stricture.

An ulcer may narrow the outlet of the pouch as it heals after surgery. The ulcer can obstruct the passage of food, or cause bleeding. Such bleeding is usually controlled by medications. To prevent ulcers, patients must take an acid-blocker (like Pepcid) for two months after surgery. If you are already on an acid-blocker, such as Prilosec, Nexium or Prevacid, you can continue this medication. In addition, all patients must avoid aspirin (unless you take aspirin for your heart or to prevent a stroke) and other medications that increase the risk of bleeding (such as ibuprofen, Advil) for two months after surgery.

Only in unusual cases is surgery needed to revise the stomach-intestine connection.

After any abdominal surgery, internal scars (adhesions) form in the abdomen. In rare cases, the lower intestine (bowel) can become twisted around an adhesion and cause an obstruction. This keeps digested food from passing through the body. An obstruction can happen at any time, even years after bariatric surgery. Because the obstruction must be repaired before the intestine loses its blood supply, an emergency operation may be necessary.

Thanks @@James Marusek. Since you were the one that first told me a year ago that it may be a stricture (and you were right), I appreciate your response and will definitely call dr on Tuesday.

Yes I have that now with broken staple line. If you type in vbg or stomach stapling there is a good write up on it.

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