gastro-gastric fistula
Hi y'all. I am 13 1/2 years post op of open RNY with Silastic Ring. I have had a long hard road with my bypass. I did okay the first 4-5 years. I lost the weight. My surgeon retired a few years after my surgery. I went to the support groups 18 months before surgery and so glad I did. I went for many years. I moved and don't drive at night so that stopped the support group. I started having problems with my potassium levels. They would drop without warning. I ended up in and out of the hospital for this for 3 months. CCU and telemetry. They finally put in a feeding tube. First through the nose, but ended up with a Mic-key button into my native stomach. They said I would have it the rest of my life. I had it for 5 years. I was doing better and wanted to see if I could do it on my own. So, we cut down the substitute formula gradually and they removed it. It has been out for 4-5 years. I am having this horrible pain. I went to the ER at the hospital where they did my RNY so they could call the doctor that took over my surgeon's patients. They did a CT of my abdomen, gave me some pain meds and I never heard from the drs office. I called, got in the next day. She had the CT results which shows I have a gastro-gastric fistula. I had an endoscopy and my GI found inflammation where the stoma is. She has never done a revision for this complication. Plus, I have a belly full of mesh and adhesions and she does not want to do an open surgery. I went to see my GI (whom I have had for 20 years). He said I cannot have any laparoscopic surgery. Only an open. Plus, I need the adhesions removed to help with bowel functions. I have motility issues. I am scared. I am trying to find a surgeon here in the Atlanta area that will do open surgery.
Sounds like w are in the same boat. I have had numerous endoscopy procedures and the last showed scar tissue has left an opening smaller than a pencil eraser. I need a fix because I can't live like this...scared to death of a feeding tube and unable to find a doctor who will tackle the problem. I have one doctor at Vanderbilt, but he's scared me even more with the dangers, and has informed me that I too must have an open procedures. Anyone know good docs in the Nashville area?
