Anyone else have "narrowing" after surgery and have to have it dialated?

So guys I havent posted in a while because things have not been going so great for me. I had my surgery on December 12th and had the be re admitted twice. The first time I was readmited for 6 days because I was dehydrated and couldnt keep anything down. Well after about the 1st day in the hospital things got better and I could keep things down but they keep me for a while to be sure. They sent me home and by the next day I was throwing up everything that went down (still on clear liquids) So I had to come back again and have been here for a week. Yesterday they did an endoscopy and turns out I have an ulcer in the little passage way between the pouch and small intesetine. The reason I was feeling better at the hopsital each time and not at home was because they were giving me protonics for acid in the hospital it keeps it from forming so none was getting to the ulcer but at home it was a different story. I was a sadly I was a little relieved because I was starting to think they thought I was crazy or something and I hate that feeling. Then he told me the news that really upset me. He said even after the ulcer is gone it will be to narrow for food to pass through. That any food would just get stuck. He said I would have to be on liquids for 6 more weeks! He said he has to go in with a balloon and dialte it but cant do it now because its to soon after surgery and it could tear and I will have a leak He said it can take up to 3 times usually to dialate and then everything is fine. My emotions are so out of control right now and Im so ready to get out of this hospital. I have only been home for 5 days in three weeks. I start back school on monday and I just worry how the heck will I have any energy with only having liquids. NOT to mention I have already only been on clear liquids for 3 weeks. I was so excited to move on to even baby food. Has anyone else had any experiance with this? or just any encouragement will help. OH also yesterday was my 25th birthday and I spent it in the hospital by myself getting and endoscopy and then recieveing bad new.....not a good day. Im trying to be optomisic but its hard. One second im ok and the next second im in tears. I believe in the power of prayer and would appriciate some this way ;)

(((((((HUGS)))))))) sweetie!  I'm glad you posted, I've been wondering how you are doing.  I'm sorry its not good news, but I went through the exact same thing, only further out than you are (it happened to me at 4 months post-op)  I developed an ulcer and a stricture too.  The GI specialist put me on Carafate, and Omeraprazole to heal the ulcer after they dilated it with the EGD.  It DOES get better, but just know that you may have to have it stretched a few times before it takes.  Luckily, mine took after one  treatment and my ulcer healed.  Liquids do suck and your energy will be zapped.  Is it possible for you to put off going back to school for one semester (I believe you can suspend a semester at most colleges) especially given your current health concerns?  Might be an option to consider until your back up to 100% sweetie. 

I hope you get to leave the hospital soon.  You really can't get any kind of rest there with all the poking and prodding they do to you.  It's much nicer to be in your own home while you recover from these unfortunate set-backs.  Have they given you any indication of when you might get to go home?

I'm sorry your journey has been so rocky but it can heal and you will be able to eat without pain.  I applaud you for trying to maintain a positive attitude, but its understandable to be upset too.  Cut yourself some slack.  Cry if you need to and don't feel bad about it.  It can be very therapeutic. 

Thinking of you often!  Keep us posted.  Feel free to personal message me here at OH any specific questions you many have and I'll try to help you through a difficult thing from someone who has been-there-done-that. 

M'Lane

Thanks so much for your reply! It makes me feel so much better to know someone else has gone through it and it worked! Yea my surgeon said it may take up to 3 times but after that I should be good to go it just sucks that I have to wait 6 weeks, but I understand his reasoning and I appreciate that he is being safe and cautious. Im hoping I am not a dumper so that if I need to have some apple juice or something for some energy that will be ok. I thought about putting off school for a semester but I have a 4.0 and actually just found out today I made the Deans List so that cheered me up some. Unfortunately with some of the grants I have if I take off the semester I can lose them and I also dont work I go to school full time and use the money I get from school as my income. Im also thinking being back at school will keep my mind off these six weeks of waiting. Im so ready for something othe than liquids and if im sitting at home all day i fear i will go nutty! lol  They have me on carafate now like 3 times a day and also on protonics. Since both of them I have not thrown up since I got here so that gave my stomach a good rest! Hopefully when I get home I will start to feel more myself and get a hold of my emotions. Its just so hard. I prepared myself the best I could for the surgery I knew and accepted it would be tough but geez this is so much more than I prepared myself for! I should technically be on soft foods right now and in 3 more weeks be on the regular diet. Its hard not to keep dwelling on that. When I think about only having liquids for six weeks it gives me a feeling of panic and I really dont like that feeling. My surgeon took me off the IV yesterday because he wants to see I can keep the liquids down and so far so good. I am hoping when he comes in to see me today he will say I can go home! Thanks for your support it has reallly uplifted me

First, Happy Birthday! I have a daughter your age :)

I had surgery Dec 14 and so far no major issues. I am so sorry you are having this happen. I don't know if what you have is a stricture or not since those don't normally happen til about the 3rd month, but it sounds kind of the same. A friend of mine got an ulcer in her pouch and the opening into her pouch was closing and she was throwing up everything but that didn't happen til about the 2nd month or so. She had to have it dilated a couple times and is taking double the protonics and carafate to help coat the ulcer. whatever you do...do not smoke! That would be adding fuel to the fire. It will take some time..more than you anticipated I am sure but be positive...it will all be worth it in the end. If you can't go back to school...then take more time off. Yes, I know we all need money but your life and your health is so much more important.  Prayers coming your way.  Take care of yourself.

Thanks for your response and prayers they are greately appreciated! Just knowing you know someone that went through it makes me feel better. Its good to know this is some what common and Im not the only one! Just me and my fiance are here our family all lives in MS. He took the first 2 weeks off with me but he is an Atlanta police officer and had to go back to work. Im super excied because after I am done with school we are moving back to MS to be around our family and start our family. Thanks for the encouragement!

Do you have family or friends close by that can help you with things?

I just wanted to tell you to hang in there it will get better. I had a stricture start about a week after surgery which was 10/18. I am still dealing with it and having weekly dialations. I have had 10 dilations so far. I guess I have overly aggressive scar tissue....lol. When I first had RNY in May 2011 everything was great. I had to have this surgery due to gastroparesis and had a total gastrectomy. Just stay nourished because if you get malnourished it will hinder healing. Hang in there!!

Hi Amber,

'I am still pre-op hoping to have surgery in January.  I am in Atlanta and wanted to urge you to try and go to the support groups at Northside.  I changed to a different surgeon, but I know the support group is the 2nd Thursday at 5:30.  You will meet lots of people and it will help you feel like you are not alone.  Also, reach  out to Debbie the bariatric coordinator, she is awesome.

Good luck and I will keep you in my prayers.

Mary Ellen