Question:
I have Stomach Pain But My Dr Believes I'm Fine

I'm beside myself in pain and worry. I have no idea what to do about getting help. I saw my surgeon after I felt his nurse wasn't really helping me solve the situation with the pain. This 3 mos after surgery. Well, he didn't much believe me. He said my "eyes were too big for my stomach" I was having the issues that someone who has had a lapband have. I tried to explain that I eat 1/4 c to 1/2 c of food twice a day. Other than that it's only vitamins, liquid and liquid protein. I told him that it hurts when I eat or drink. He told me to take Maalox. I was in such shock at the time. I didn't come up with anything other than why did I bother coming here. I should have gone to my primary maybe he would have had better answers. I should step back just a 8 hours before my visit with him. I had vomiting which I think was caused by astomach bug. But during the vomiting, I had bile and blood. I didn't just purge once I purged 3x times along with what seemed like dry heaves between the 2 and 3rd purge. I'm not asking for pain meds. I want a solution. I don't know what to do. I can't stop crying because of the pain and the thought that I don't know where to turn for help. I have read about endoscopies some but don't know the dangers as it pertains to bariatric surgery. The surgeon said he would perform one but he said it that only at my request. Which sounds like he wants to come back and say well i didn't say it was necessary. You wanted it. My husband says I shouldn't be making that judgement call, that a medical professional should be making that call after all roads are exhausted. Up to this point the roads I have taken is an upper GI to make sure there is no leak that was a month ago. Lab work twice which came out mainly normal. The last one showed I was a little low on Iron but he didn't think I was anemic. I'm on prevacid twice a day. I chew slowly. I don't eat fried foods. I had the vertical sleeve on 11-12-08 with Dr. James Davidson. If you have some ideas, please do share with me.    — Corina C (posted on February 13, 2009)

February 13, 2009
The endoscope is simple and painless. It will show exactly what is going on in your stomach. If he is offering to do it I would have it done. Sometimes our symtoms don't match what the doctor expects to hear and they don't understand the problem.
   — trible

February 13, 2009
Your surgeons needs to give you some answers. Tell them you are not the doctor, so you don't know what has to be done, but you are in pain, and that is not normal. I'm really surprised because I have heard great things about your surgeon. I run a local support group for people who has the VSG surgery. If you are interested in meeting with us, send me a private message here or email me at [email protected] We meet once a month (the 3rd Sunday of the month) in Richardson, so it's not too far from you. Good luck. You really need to get some answers.
   — Teresa V.

February 15, 2009
Hello --- if vomiting try vitamin B1 --- if pain try really eating small bites and have found i chew up to 150 times per bite depending on how difficult it is to get it to turn to paste and have had no problems. If you have tried both of these then maybe seek out another doctor for a consultation... hope this helps... gk
   — GangaK

March 5, 2009
Update: I mentioned Dr. Davidson because he is the surgeon that I used. He is a good surgeon. The surgery did go as it should have. I had no leaks. It was confirmed that the inside of the stomach is healing well where it was cut. I did find that I was not properly taking the prevacid. I still have persistent pain but am now under the care of an gastroenterologist. I'm currently waiting on the pathology report for the stomach. It's her thoughts that it could be IBS. I have never been diagnosed with IBS or had so much trouble before surgery but I don't believe that Dr. Davidson did anything wrong. Perhaps I didn't explain my pain that was sufficient for him to catch what could be the problem. For anyone else reading this, keep a journal of what is happening to you so you can be better prepared to explain your pain and issues to your doctor.
   — Corina C

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