Stricture anyone?

Hi all! I need some info about strictures.  If any of you have ever been through a stricture, could you let me know what the symptoms are, what causes them, and what the treatment is?  Many of you know that my son had RNY about 3 years ago.  He has been feeling sick and unable to keep food down.  I think this has been going on for a few week or so.  He went to his regular pcp and they can find anything wrong with him and he says the bloodwork is normal.   I am trying to get him to a doc who does RNY but he is stuborn (he must get that from his Dad) lol Anyways, any information or sugestions would really help at this point.  Thanks in advance! Ginger

Ginger, I haven't had a stricture, but my understanding is that if you cannot keep down any food (even soft food), it's probably a stricture.  Is he able to drink water? If it is a stricture, I understand that scoping it to stretch it is not a huge deal at all.  He should get it taken care of before he gets dehydrated and develops all sorts of secondary issues. My sister in Kingman is pretty "persuasive" (she nags you to death until you comply just to shut her up). I'd be happy to send her over to your house to "motivate" your son into getting it taken care of by someone who knows what they are doing.   Kix

Hi Kix, Thank you so much for your reply!  My son tells me that when he takes a few swigs of water, he feels sick...so he only takes a few small drinks at a time.  Do you know if the stricture deal is an in-office procedure?  There I go with the worrying again.  I remember the days when I could just make those doc appts for him and make sure he gets there!  I guess at the age of 25..he's on his own....right?   It's funny you mentioned Kingman.  My husband's family all live in Kingman, and we are the ones that get to make that "deserty" drive every holiday.  Our drive isn't that desolate cause we are coming from the South (Phoenix area).  We love to rass my hubby about Kingman.  Maybe we can meet up with your sister around Thanksgiving and I can get the "real dish" about our Kix! lol.  Of course I will be reporting to everyone...remember, we have NO SECRETS here. lol Hugs, Ginger

Ginger, I see Dunny already answered your question better than I could, but I had to reply to say I'm sorry you get to spend holidays in Kingman.  I still can't figure out why people live there, and more important, how they sustain themselves financially.  There doesn't appear to be a whole lot of companies or industry.  Heck, Amtrak doesn't even stop there unless someone wants to get on or off the train!  I will say that people in Kingman are quite friendly.  People waved and said "Hi" even though they had no idea who I was.  We went to Penney's to buy my niece some shoes, and it took us longer than expected, which meant we were there after closing.  I guarantee you that in Oakland, CA, the clerks would have chased us out of the store, hitting us with hangers while we were running out the door for being rude enough to try and shop just before closing time.  In Kingman, they didn't pressure us at all and were very nice about it, and when we finalized our purchases and left the store, they thanked us profusely for shopping with them.   One story my Kingman sister loves to tell even after 34 years is how I "wrecked" her car when I was 15.  I backed my dad's car out of the driveway, and turned the wheel too soon.  The pointy front bumper dragged along the side of her car, making a long crease-like dent in her car.  It was a minor, but long, dent, and she never fails to bring it up.  Oy!  Kix

Your son definitely needs to get it looked at - a stricture is not a big deal and they don't use general anesthesia, just some happy meds - at least that's my surgeon.  When I had complications 2 weeks out they said it was too early for a stricture, but decided to scope and see just in case.  If needed, they use a balloon to open the hole back up.  I didn't have a stricture, but the endoscope wasn't too bad.  They gave me something so I wouldn't remember but I do remember.  They sprayed a nasty tasting numbing agent down my throat and I didn't really feel anything.  If you have a dilation it can be sore for a few days. My concern is that it could be something more serious though, and he needs to get it checked out.  I couldn't hold anything down and it turned out to be a bowel obstruction and hernias.  My recommendation to anyone is see your surgeon right away.  They did some gnarly stuff to your insides, and its not to be fooled around with.  Besides, IF by chance they do have to go in for surgery, the longer he waits without eating and drinking properly, the harder surgery and healing is going to be on him.  I don't want to be an alarmist, but I think its of upmost importance to stay on top of complications!  I would not be here today if I hadn't gone back to the surgeon when I started getting sick. Best of luck to your son (and to you convincing him to see a doc!) Hugs, Jenn