Post MGB 6 weeks - hello ulcers

[Smanky 743]

As of today I'm six weeks post op for my Mini Gastric Bypass. Definitely hasn't been an easy ride (with two stalls), but hasn't been terrible either. Except for a week ago when I started getting increasingly frequent discomfort in the stomach region. It would feel similar to the pain of gallstone attack, and would wake me up at night, and give me the odd bout of nausea. I've not been able to eat - just my Protein shake/water and supplements, and those don't feel great going down either. So I visited my surgeon yesterday and he thinks it's likely the development of an ulcer/s and accompanying swelling at the intestinal join site, so I'm on Salpraz to see if that's the culprit. I was worried I was developing a stricture, so this is definitely a better alternative! I had been on Salpraz post-op for my previous GERD, and had finished the course about two weeks ago, so... it sounds the likely culprit. Mind you I had NO reflux or sign of reflux, so this was a bit of a sneaky attack that got me unawares.

Eating hasn't been easy for me post-op anyway, but it's currently ridiculous. Looking forward to this improving so I can at least do more than sit on a glass of Water when my partner and I go out!

Worth mentioning that I still regret nothing! Even though it's been a little rough and the "honeymoon period" seems to be running late.

[catwoman7 10,922]

I had the regular gastric bypass - not mini - and I had two strictures early on. They're minor and an easy fix (just saying this because you said you were glad you didn't have strictures -- but they're really a pretty minor complication and easily fixable)

[lizonaplane 1,605]

Boy, @Smanky, I sure hope it gets better for you soon! That sounds really unpleasant. Did they tell you about how long they expect that to last?

[ShoppGirl 3,424]

I agree that sounds seriously NOT FUN. And you are taking it so well. I seriously hope The medicine works and you can return to a more normal state very soon. Glad it wasn’t anything more serious.

[Smanky 743]

Catwoman7: Oh I've no doubt I was building it up, mostly because the idea of having something put down my throat while sedated. I have THE most sensitive gag reflex, so the mere thought makes me feel panicky. It's why I would no-way no-how be able to get a gastric balloon. Sorry to hear you got saddled with two strictures!

lizonaplane: My surgeon said it should get better in a week, as I'm on a double dose of 40mg Salpraz this first week to really zap it. If it's not better in a week, I have to go back as it may then be something else. Regardless I have to stay on the medication for six months.

Shoppgirl: Thank you! If it drags on I may be less zen about it, but for now I can roll with it. As you said, it could have been worse!

[Arabesque 6,565]

Years ago I used to get a sharp cutting pain across my tummy which was thought to be ulcers but the cause turned out to be an overproduction of stomach acid. They initially put me on Xanax but major side effects so I started taking Nexium as I needed it. I also found eating something carb rich (bread usually) helped absorb the excess acid - that ain’t happening now 😉.

You may need to continue to take something like Salpraz or Nexium for a while especially until you are able to eat more & your stomach acid is used to break the food down. I have to take Nexium everyday now because I still overproduce acid & surgical team suggested I only eat soft or Liquid Protein after dinner to reduce acid production late at night which had become an issue post surgery.

Out of curiosity, did they do a breath test to ensure you didn’t have an helicobacter pylori infection just to rule it out?

[Smanky 743]

Yep, I'm on Salpraz for the next 6 months.

And nope, didn't do a breath test. He checked me out and is confident it's ulcers and swelling around my stoma. If it doesn't clear up with a week on the drugs, he'll reassess.

[Smanky 743]

Update: the drugs are working! The pain is almost completely gone, no more weird gallstone-like-pain attacks waking me in the night, and today I managed to eat half a small falafel which I could not have done three days ago. Tiny steps re-introducing soft solid food again, but it's a welcome relief being able to swallow even a tiny bit.

So it was definitely ulcers and I'm definitely on the mend. My surgeon is awesome.

[ShoppGirl 3,424]

7 hours ago, Smanky said:

Update: the drugs are working! The pain is almost completely gone, no more weird gallstone-like-pain attacks waking me in the night, and today I managed to eat half a small falafel which I could not have done three days ago. Tiny steps re-introducing soft solid food again, but it's a welcome relief being able to swallow even a tiny bit.

So it was definitely ulcers and I'm definitely on the mend. My surgeon is awesome.

Glad to hear it.

[lizonaplane 1,605]

7 hours ago, Smanky said:

Update: the drugs are working! The pain is almost completely gone, no more weird gallstone-like-pain attacks waking me in the night, and today I managed to eat half a small falafel which I could not have done three days ago. Tiny steps re-introducing soft solid food again, but it's a welcome relief being able to swallow even a tiny bit.

So it was definitely ulcers and I'm definitely on the mend. My surgeon is awesome.

So happy for you!