Blockage of the esophagus ?
Hi: Greetings from Sunny Florida, hoping all is well you and your. I have heard that some WLS patients have needed to have their throats stretched or their pouches, because they can not swallow due to blockage of the airway. Do you have any info on this situation ? Does this have to do with the size Bou'gie that was used ? If this is the case, I would think that the larger Bou'gie would be the correct one to use ! Or maybe it's due to swelling of the esophagus or stomach. But I have read a few where the patient had been post op for about a year or so, before this condition started occurring.
I surely don't know why this happens. This not only had to do with VSG, but with some of the other surgeries too.
Just trying to get all the info I can, before I jump into surgery.
Wishing you the best always.
88 (FL)
You have misread the information. It is not an uncommon thing for the surgical site (the stoma) of the RNY to narrow as it heals, which restricts the flow of food and liquids from the new pouch.
Once this is confirmed (by an EDG) the stoma can be stretched slightly to reopen it, and then the food and liquids will pass easily. This may take only once to do, or can require more stretches, but it is usually an outpatient procedure and is easily done.
Please do continue to research and question so that you know what you're getting for your money and your life. Just don't let the different complications turn into something they are not.
Best wishes,
BTW, the airway (trachea) is not the same as the esophagus. If your airway became blocked, you would die within minutes.
Interestingly, back when I first came here, no one ever talked about having a stricture in a Sleeve. (Of course, it was only DSers who had Sleeves back then.) About four years ago, surgeons started making smaller Sleeves, especially for those getting just a Sleeve, and we started hearing about strictures. Sometimes smaller is NOT better!
I agree also that the OP needs all the info he can get; it looks as if he's trying too hard and may be getting things mixed up. Then when he starts talking about the instrument sizes--a good point but how does one tell a surgeon which tools to use????!
It's like me and computers. As my daughter says, I know just enough to be dangerous! I do wish him luck in demystifying his chosen type of surgery.