I had my bypass in 2015. No complications no issues, a perfect experience. I exercise regularly and am very active. I can eat all foods now although sometime sweet thing make my belly rumble. Everything seems great. But!! All of a sudden the past couple of weeks when I eat I feel like the food gets stuck in my chest. It is not heartburn more like the food just stops right between my breasts. The pain is so bad my heart rate goes up and I am in tears. When it first happened I though I didn’t threw enough and made myself throw up that one time to get it out. But the pain just continued. I figured because of that one time I had a bruise inside and it would take a few days to stop hurting. But it’s been weeks and every time I eat it happens. I chew slowly and thoroughly. I take extra care to make sure everything I put in my body is thoroughly chewed and absolutely passable so nothing will get stuck. But there is pain! I even tried eating just soft foods like a mashed banana or yogurt for a few days to help heal whatever Is goin on. It didn’t help even smooth is painful.

Anyone have this issue? What could it be?

TIA~Crystal

You seriously need to see a doctor!

Yes I know that! I put a call in to the dr but I moved out of state and am trying to find someone who will take me so I’m kinda in limbo right now. I am just asking for any info/advise from personal experience.

Well, I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, and I'm only 6 weeks post op, but I do have a serious stricture and also have pain in the center of my chest, alond with nause and difficulty swallowing. It may be unusual to have a stricture 4 years out, but you never know. Find a bariatric surgeon to check you out. Hope you feel better soon and hope it is not a stricture. Could also be an ulcer. Do you take NSAIDS?

Thx. I haven’t had any complications and yes 4 years is a long time to have some crazy side effect like this. What is a stricture?

A stricture is a narrowing of the opening between the bottom of your pouch and your small intestine. Mine was as small as a pin hole and liquids/purees were not getting through. It causes all kinds of symptoms and needs to be gradually stretched.

Kanoodlebug,
I don't think I would wait go to ER or urgent care. They may be able to at least do xrays to make sure that you have no blockages and put you in contact with a great Bariatric specialist.

I agree with Briswife as I also have. ulceration and a stomal stricture. But you could also have some sort of adhesions in there or something twisted or twisting, and intestinal torsion can kill you! it is not my will that I lose any of my Bari- friends to such a thing! Please get some help so you can feel better soon!

Hi Tia, I totally empathise with you. I am 8 years post op, and I suffered complications within months of my op. I experience pain in my chest, like you after eating food. Even though you are many years post op, your stomach pouch can still change. Scar tissue and adhesions can occur, causing a restriction. It does sound like the entrance to your pouch is restricted. I totally understand that terrible feeling when you are hit with pain, your body temperature and heart rate go up...

Don't think that complications can't occur even many years after the original operation. Its only with time that problems are arising in GBP RNY patients. My bariatric surgeon has no interest in helping me, the doctors don't want bariatric surgery to be seen as a failure.

You need to see a bariatric or Upper GI specialist. At least an MRI is called for. But not all problems show up on scans. I suffered internal hernias and scarring- none of which showed up on MRI, ultrasound etc. I was called a liar until I was opened up and the problems were found. I underwent many corrective surgeries and now live with constant pain. I was passed on to Pain Management, who are only concerned with getting me off opioid pain relief even though no other medications help.

Anyway, in my humble opinion, I believe you may have adhesions blocking entry to your food pouch. The fact that you can not tolerate soft foods, inducing a blockage and subsequent pain; you definitely need medical attention. Get yourself to the ER- induce the pain by eating so that they can see what happens. Don't take no for an answer!

I wish you the best of luck, please report back as I would really like to know how you get on. Please feel free to message me if you prefer a personal chat/support.

Becks