I think I have an ulcer. I've had pain midway between my belly button and sternum (i think that's what it called) or breastbone. Whatever.

Pain is worse when my pouch is empty and goes away for a bit after I eat and I have called the surgeon's office 3 times, its always she will call you back. Yeaaaa

At this point they can kiss it where the sun don't shine.

I left a message to my primary to see what she can do to help me out. I started taking Omeprazole (OTC) to help and low and behold no more pain or rumbling tummy. So symptoms are managed. Only thing I noticed is the weight loss has increased. I usually lose up to 3 lbs per week and it's about 1 lbs a day so that's a bit concerning. Not complaining but just a tad concerned.

Anyone have an ulcer? How long did it take to heal?

Years ago they thought I had an ulcer. Sharp cutting pains that used to run across my lower abdomen. I did the breath test for the helicopter pylori which is the bacteria behind most ulcers & an endoscopy. What they discovered was I over produced acid which also caused a lot of my reflux symptoms. PPIs do reduce acid production & while pre surgery I took one as necessary (about 5 or so times a year) I now take one every day. As the PPI is helping you I’d think it’s more likely to be excess acid too.

It’s not uncommon for our acid production to increase after surgery but also because we’re still producing the same amount into a much smaller tummy. Hence why we’re usually prescribed PPIs for a while after surgery until it settles.

Yes, the pain is worse when your tummy is empty because there is no food to absorb the acid. Pre surgery, the quickest & easiest way to stop the pain was to eat some carbs. Of course that’s not an option any more but it’s usually pretty much under control now because I eat quite often through out the day. I had a bad experience a couple of weeks ago though. Due to a number of events out of my control which ended in sitting in Emergency with my mother, I had only eaten breakfast & a mid morning snack. By 7pm I was in quite a bit of pain which wasn’t alleviated until almost 10pm when I got home & could eat. The next day my poop was very loose & acidic (burning & smell). Also I don’t have a gall bladder now which used to regulate the acid entering the digestive system so now it just drips in all day long.

When your surgeon finally rings you back, ask for a breath test & an endoscopy (or may be your GP can arrange a breath test in the US ??‍♀️) just to be sure you haven’t an ulcer nor any pockets of inflammation from the excess acid.

All the best.

Yeah, I got an ulcer after I stopped the first five months of Pantoprazole that was prescribed to keep my pre-existing GERD under control while I healed. It took only about 2 weeks for the ulcer to develop, and it really sucked. Pain just under the ribcage. My surgeon put me straight back on Pantoprazole and it went away very quickly. I'm still on the drug even now, with a view to get off it in a couple of months.

You have my sympathies! It's no fun. But it's thankfully a quick and easy fix.