What is a stricture?

I have heard the term stricture mentioned several times.  By the sounds of it I don't want to have one but what exactly is it.

a stricture is when the stoma (opening) from the pouch into the intestines closes up too much, food and fluids can't get through.

You're right, you don't want to have one for sure!  I had one at about 4 or 5 weeks post-op.  It got to a point where I couldn't get anything down, including water. I had an endoscopy and they stretched it back open with a tiny balloon.  No issues since then, thankfully! 

 Karen, other than the obvoius not being able to even drink water, what were your symptoms?  How long did your symptoms go on before they balooned you?  Thanks!  

Good question.  First, I thought it was just because I was trying to eat real food and it wasn't sitting well.  I awas puking after lunch at work every damned day.  So I went back to full fluids.  All of a sudden, they came up as well.  Then clears....  up they came.  THEN I knew there was something wrong.  And from reading this forum, I suspected I had a stricture.  Gawd, I have the most AMAZING photos of my stoma before and after - I totally need to scan and post them. LOL

Just constant chest pain with food sitting where it shouldn't, and eventual or induced puking to help myself.  Good heavens, I was the puke queen.  I could just lean over and throw up, no effort necessary. hahahaha

 Thanks!  

You're most welcome.  Digging out the pics as we speak. LOL