Re: Ulcer follow up

[Guest guest]

After 7 years with the MGB I had gastrointestinal bleeding just this year in

July. It was very serious so I say to everyone if you have any stomach pain and

are anemic please get checked and re-checked. I had endoscopy after endoscopy

and not one showed any bleeding sites. I was bleeding so severly they had to

admit me to ICU and I recieved 23? units of blood. They couldn't even find out

where I was bleeding on the first surgery for 4 and half hours long. I went back

to surgery two days later and Dr. R was there thank goodness because he found

the spot that was bleeding and took care of it. Unfortunately my bypass was

taken down in that surgery and I have started to gain weight again. I am?very

grateful to be alive even if I no longer have my bypass.?But anyway please be

aware that if you do have severe stomach pain take care of it immediately so you

don't wind up in this situation.

Pat Iurato

MGB 3/7/01 reversed 7/5/08 :-(

Ulcer follow up

I was just wondering, since ulcers can be a long term complication of

any Weight Loss Surgery, is there ay way to monitor or test for

ulcers (like when we are doing blood work?).

Has anyone had any issues with ulcers in the sleeve, or in the 'rest'

of the stomach, or the intestine?

Just trying to make sure that I include all aspects in my tests.

I just had my 15 month blood work and mostly it is good. My oxalate

is still high, but lower than it was 3 months ago thanks to 3 litres

of water a day, 1/2 lemon a day, and calcium citrate. Iron is low,

but having monthly infusions for that.

My liver is no longer fatty, which is also good news.

I have gone from 278 to 196lbs, but am in a smaller clothes size than

I was the last time I was 196lbs. The numbers are a funny thing - I

notice that even though the scale says I am still obese, the clothes

and pics say different.

Anyway, just looking for more knowledge to add to my regular testing

------------------------------------

Visit us at www.clos.net

[Guest guest]

I had the mgb in May 2000. I have never had any issues. About a year ago I

started to feel tired all the time and just not good. I went to the Dr and my

iron levels and hemoglobin were so low almost off the scales. I had two iron

infusions and that did not seem to help. They checked everything for any kind

of bleeding etc. Still nothing. Then one day I had this terrible pain right

in the middle of my stomach below my breast bone. The pain intensified by the

minute. I was taken to the hospital and checked and they were pretty sure it

was my gall bladder. They made me comfortable as possible until I could be

taken to surgery the next morning. While I was in surgery the Dr said my gall

bladder looked normal so he started looking around and found blood and puss

and other toxins and decided there had to be something else. He cut me open and

found a hole in my small intestine that was releasing all this. He closed up

the hole and I spent a week in the hospital. Not sure how long the ulcer was

there but when it perforated I knew it. I was in instant pain and got very

sick. This was something that was only found in surgery. I am doing fine now

but rest assure if I ever feel a pain such as that I will be at the hospital

immediatly.

MGB May 2000

310-165

In a message dated 11/23/2008 2:53:47 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

iseeu25232@... writes:

After 7 years with the MGB I had gastrointestinal bleeding just this year in

July. It was very serious so I say to everyone if you have any stomach pain

and are anemic please get checked and re-checked. I had endoscopy after

endoscopy and not one showed any bleeding sites. I was bleeding so severly they

had to admit me to ICU and I recieved 23? units of blood. They couldn't even

find out where I was bleeding on the first surgery for 4 and half hours long. I

went back to surgery two days later and Dr. R was there thank goodness

because he found the spot that was bleeding and took care of it. Unfortunately

my

bypass was taken down in that surgery and I have started to gain weight

again. I am?very grateful to be alive even if I no longer have my bypass.?But

anyway please be aware that if you do have severe stomach pain take care of it

immediately so you don't wind up in this situation.

Pat Iurato

MGB 3/7/01 reversed 7/5/08 :-(

Ulcer follow up

I was just wondering, since ulcers can be a long term complication of

any Weight Loss Surgery, is there ay way to monitor or test for

ulcers (like when we are doing blood work?).

Has anyone had any issues with ulcers in the sleeve, or in the 'rest'

of the stomach, or the intestine?

Just trying to make sure that I include all aspects in my tests.

I just had my 15 month blood work and mostly it is good. My oxalate

is still high, but lower than it was 3 months ago thanks to 3 litres

of water a day, 1/2 lemon a day, and calcium citrate. Iron is low,

but having monthly infusions for that.

My liver is no longer fatty, which is also good news.

I have gone from 278 to 196lbs, but am in a smaller clothes size than

I was the last time I was 196lbs. The numbers are a funny thing - I

notice that even though the scale says I am still obese, the clothes

and pics say different.

Anyway, just looking for more knowledge to add to my regular testing

------------------------------------

Visit us at www.clos.net

[Guest guest]

Dear Pat

Im glad to hear you are doing well after so difficult a time, would you

mind sharing with us what caused the bleeding and ultimate reversal so

that others might avoid the same unfortunate situation? I had my MGB in

2001 also but am beginning to have different problems so I and I am

sure others would like as much info as possible to avoid problems as we

get further along. Blessings Conrad

I went back to surgery two days later and Dr. R was there thank

goodness because he found the spot that was bleeding and took care of

it. Unfortunately my bypass was taken down in that surgery and I have

started to gain weight again. I am?very grateful to be alive even if I

no longer have my bypass.?But anyway please be aware that if you do

have severe stomach pain take care of it immediately so you don't wind

up in this situation.

> Pat Iurato

> MGB 3/7/01 reversed 7/5/08 :-(

>

[Guest guest]

,

Dr. Rutledge was not the first surgeon, only after the other doctors could not

find the problem, I called Dr. Rutledge for help, I was in bad shape! The other

surgeon told CLOS that I was not going to make it. When Dr Rutledge heard this

he dropped everything to get emergency credentials at the hospital I was in, it

was a holiday so it was not easy. Dr Rutledge performed my next surgery found

the ulcer and repaired it. He saved my life!

How it started*************************

Well to start I had been having stomach pain for about a year and had been to

many gastroenterologists and been thru several endoscopes and colonoscopies. I

had also been diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia and was recieving IV iron

monthly. I happen to think I was bleeding all along and they just didn't see

where it was going on. After my second surgery Dr. R. took down the bypass

saying the bleeding was in the area of the connection and that is why it was not

seen on the tests that I had done.

I even saw Dr. R at a clinic and he told me to take large doses of prilosec.

During the first surgery while they were looking for the bleeding they also

performed an illeostomy, that is they moved the small intestine opening to the

outside of my stomach and I had a bag on my side that collected the liquid body

waste. This was done to see if they could figure out where I was bleeding from.

( that was a bad experience in itself). I was too weak for them to take it away

on the second surgery and I had to wait an additional 2 months for that to be

done. I was grateful to have that reversed because it was a very terrible thing

to have attached outside of your body. My heart goes out to people who have that

permanently. So in September I had that reversal done. That surgery was on the

right lower side of my stomach. I then developed a tumor on the left lower side

of my stomach which I had removed in October. They said it was something called

a foreign body encapsulation. So something was in side me yet that my body

didn't like and formed a tumor around it.

Thru all this all of my incisions became abscessed at one time or another and

had to be re-opened to drain. About 2 weeks ago they found fluid in my pelvic

floor and had to aspirate it out. The culture on this came back positive for

Staph, which is an infection in the body. I have been on antibiotics for the

past two months. I was out of work for 4 months.

I could no longer afford to be out of work so I am working once again and still

have open incisions that are draining in my body.

This was a nightmare that I almost lost my life over.

Would I have the MGB again you might ask? Yes I would do it over again but be

more persistent with doctors who were unable to find where I was bleeding from.

I hate that I am gaining weight again rapidly but am grateful to be alive.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask or if you want to email me

privately you are welcome to do that.

Pat

Re: Ulcer follow up

Dear Pat

Im glad to hear you are doing well after so difficult a time, would you

mind sharing with us what caused the bleeding and ultimate reversal so

that others might avoid the same unfortunate situation? I had my MGB in

2001 also but am beginning to have different problems so I and I am

sure others would like as much info as possible to avoid problems as we

get further along. Blessings Conrad

I went back to surgery two days later and Dr. R was there thank

goodness because he found the spot that was bleeding and took care of

it. Unfortunately my bypass was taken down in that surgery and I have

started to gain weight again. I am?very grateful to be alive even if I

no longer have my bypass.?But anyway please be aware that if you do

have severe stomach pain take care of it immediately so you don't wind

up in this situation.

> Pat Iurato

> MGB 3/7/01 reversed 7/5/08 :-(

>

------------------------------------

Visit us at www.clos.net

[Guest guest]

,

You were very fortunate they were able to find it. You are right the pain is

very intense when it happens. Glad you are doing better.

Four surgeries in four months was not to much fun for me, lol.

Pat

Ulcer follow up

I was just wondering, since ulcers can be a long term complication of

any Weight Loss Surgery, is there ay way to monitor or test for

ulcers (like when we are doing blood work?).

Has anyone had any issues with ulcers in the sleeve, or in the 'rest'

of the stomach, or the intestine?

Just trying to make sure that I include all aspects in my tests.

I just had my 15 month blood work and mostly it is good. My oxalate

is still high, but lower than it was 3 months ago thanks to 3 litres

of water a day, 1/2 lemon a day, and calcium citrate. Iron is low,

but having monthly infusions for that.

My liver is no longer fatty, which is also good news.

I have gone from 278 to 196lbs, but am in a smaller clothes size than

I was the last time I was 196lbs. The numbers are a funny thing - I

notice that even though the scale says I am still obese, the clothes

and pics say different.

Anyway, just looking for more knowledge to add to my regular testing

------------------------------------

Visit us at www.clos.net

[Guest guest]

What are the odds of this happening?  Do you know others that this has happened

to?  How did you get Dr. R. involved in this and where did you have the surgery

done to have the bypass taken down?

[Guest guest]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Very helpful!

Did you have any symptoms before your ulcer perforated? I am wondering what we

should be looking for?

I recently completed my labs and my red blood count was low (anemic). Iron and

B12 was good though so doctor was a bit confused.

All the best,

Suzanne

Life is short,

Break the rules,

Forgive quickly,

Kiss slowly,

Love truly,

Laugh uncontrollably,

And never regret anything that made you smile.

________________________________

From: " haraspluc@... " <haraspluc@...>

Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2008 8:28:48 AM

Subject: Re: Ulcer follow up

I had the mgb in May 2000. I have never had any issues. About a year ago I

started to feel tired all the time and just not good. I went to the Dr and my

iron levels and hemoglobin were so low almost off the scales. I had two iron

infusions and that did not seem to help. They checked everything for any kind

of bleeding etc. Still nothing. Then one day I had this terrible pain right

in the middle of my stomach below my breast bone. The pain intensified by the

minute. I was taken to the hospital and checked and they were pretty sure it

was my gall bladder. They made me comfortable as possible until I could be

taken to surgery the next morning. While I was in surgery the Dr said my gall

bladder looked normal so he started looking around and found blood and puss

and other toxins and decided there had to be something else. He cut me open and

found a hole in my small intestine that was releasing all this. He closed up

the hole and I spent a week in the hospital. Not sure how long the ulcer was

there but when it perforated I knew it. I was in instant pain and got very

sick. This was something that was only found in surgery. I am doing fine now

but rest assure if I ever feel a pain such as that I will be at the hospital

immediatly.

MGB May 2000

310-165

In a message dated 11/23/2008 2:53:47 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

iseeu25232aol (DOT) com writes:

After 7 years with the MGB I had gastrointestinal bleeding just this year in

July. It was very serious so I say to everyone if you have any stomach pain

and are anemic please get checked and re-checked. I had endoscopy after

endoscopy and not one showed any bleeding sites. I was bleeding so severly they

had to admit me to ICU and I recieved 23? units of blood. They couldn't even

find out where I was bleeding on the first surgery for 4 and half hours long. I

went back to surgery two days later and Dr. R was there thank goodness

because he found the spot that was bleeding and took care of it. Unfortunately

my

bypass was taken down in that surgery and I have started to gain weight

again. I am?very grateful to be alive even if I no longer have my bypass.?But

anyway please be aware that if you do have severe stomach pain take care of it

immediately so you don't wind up in this situation.

Pat Iurato

MGB 3/7/01 reversed 7/5/08 :-(

Ulcer follow up

I was just wondering, since ulcers can be a long term complication of

any Weight Loss Surgery, is there ay way to monitor or test for

ulcers (like when we are doing blood work?).

Has anyone had any issues with ulcers in the sleeve, or in the 'rest'

of the stomach, or the intestine?

Just trying to make sure that I include all aspects in my tests.

I just had my 15 month blood work and mostly it is good. My oxalate

is still high, but lower than it was 3 months ago thanks to 3 litres

of water a day, 1/2 lemon a day, and calcium citrate. Iron is low,

but having monthly infusions for that.

My liver is no longer fatty, which is also good news.

I have gone from 278 to 196lbs, but am in a smaller clothes size than

I was the last time I was 196lbs. The numbers are a funny thing - I

notice that even though the scale says I am still obese, the clothes

and pics say different.

Anyway, just looking for more knowledge to add to my regular testing

------------ --------- --------- ------

Visit us at www.clos.net

[Guest guest]

>

> Thanks for sharing your experience. Very helpful!

>

> Did you have any symptoms before your ulcer perforated? I am wondering

what we should be looking for?

> I recently completed my labs and my red blood count was low (anemic).

Iron and B12 was good though so doctor was a bit confused.

>

>

>

> All the best,

> Suzanne

>

> Life is short,

> Break the rules,

> Forgive quickly,

> Kiss slowly,

> Love truly,

> Laugh uncontrollably,

> And never regret anything that made you smile.

>

>

>

>

> ________________________________

> From: " haraspluc@... " haraspluc@...

>

> Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2008 8:28:48 AM

> Subject: Re: Ulcer follow up

>

>

> I had the mgb in May 2000. I have never had any issues. About a year

ago I

> started to feel tired all the time and just not good. I went to the Dr

and my

> iron levels and hemoglobin were so low almost off the scales. I had

two iron

> infusions and that did not seem to help. They checked everything for

any kind

> of bleeding etc. Still nothing. Then one day I had this terrible pain

right

> in the middle of my stomach below my breast bone. The pain

intensified by the

> minute. I was taken to the hospital and checked and they were pretty

sure it

> was my gall bladder. They made me comfortable as possible until I

could be

> taken to surgery the next morning. While I was in surgery the Dr said

my gall

> bladder looked normal so he started looking around and found blood

and puss

> and other toxins and decided there had to be something else. He cut

me open and

> found a hole in my small intestine that was releasing all this. He

closed up

> the hole and I spent a week in the hospital. Not sure how long the

ulcer was

> there but when it perforated I knew it. I was in instant pain and got

very

> sick. This was something that was only found in surgery. I am doing

fine now

> but rest assure if I ever feel a pain such as that I will be at the

hospital

> immediatly.

>

> MGB May 2000

> 310-165

>

>

> In a message dated 11/23/2008 2:53:47 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

> iseeu25232aol (DOT) com writes:

>

> After 7 years with the MGB I had gastrointestinal bleeding just this

year in

> July. It was very serious so I say to everyone if you have any stomach

pain

> and are anemic please get checked and re-checked. I had endoscopy

after

> endoscopy and not one showed any bleeding sites. I was bleeding so

severly they

> had to admit me to ICU and I recieved 23? units of blood. They

couldn't even

> find out where I was bleeding on the first surgery for 4 and half

hours long. I

> went back to surgery two days later and Dr. R was there thank goodness

> because he found the spot that was bleeding and took care of it.

Unfortunately my

> bypass was taken down in that surgery and I have started to gain

weight

> again. I am?very grateful to be alive even if I no longer have my

bypass.?But

> anyway please be aware that if you do have severe stomach pain take

care of it

> immediately so you don't wind up in this situation.

> Pat Iurato

> MGB 3/7/01 reversed 7/5/08 :-(

>

> Ulcer follow up

>

> I was just wondering, since ulcers can be a long term complication of

> any Weight Loss Surgery, is there ay way to monitor or test for

> ulcers (like when we are doing blood work?).

>

> Has anyone had any issues with ulcers in the sleeve, or in the 'rest'

> of the stomach, or the intestine?

>

> Just trying to make sure that I include all aspects in my tests.

>

> I just had my 15 month blood work and mostly it is good. My oxalate

> is still high, but lower than it was 3 months ago thanks to 3 litres

> of water a day, 1/2 lemon a day, and calcium citrate. Iron is low,

> but having monthly infusions for that.

>

> My liver is no longer fatty, which is also good news.

>

> I have gone from 278 to 196lbs, but am in a smaller clothes size than

> I was the last time I was 196lbs. The numbers are a funny thing - I

> notice that even though the scale says I am still obese, the clothes

> and pics say different.

>

> Anyway, just looking for more knowledge to add to my regular testing

>

> ------------ --------- --------- ------

>

> Visit us at www.clos.net

[Guest guest]

Dear Pat

Thank you so much for taking the time and energy to share with me and

the rest of us here what happened to you. I pray you will soon be

feeling well again and regain your health and strength soon.

Blessings Conrad

In , iseeu25232@... wrote:

>

> ,

>

> Dr. Rutledge was not the first surgeon, only after the other

doctors could not find the problem, I called Dr. Rutledge for help, I

was in bad shape! The other surgeon told CLOS that I was not going to

make it. When Dr Rutledge heard this he dropped everything to get

emergency credentials at the hospital I was in, it was a holiday so

it was not easy. Dr Rutledge performed my next surgery found the

ulcer and repaired it. He saved my life!

> How it started*************************

> Well to start I had been having stomach pain for about a year and

had been to many gastroenterologists and been thru several endoscopes

and colonoscopies. I had also been diagnosed with iron deficiency

anemia and was recieving IV iron monthly. I happen to think I was

bleeding all along and they just didn't see where it was going on.

After my second surgery Dr. R. took down the bypass saying the

bleeding was in the area of the connection and that is why it was not

seen on the tests that I had done.

> I even saw Dr. R at a clinic and he told me to take large doses of

prilosec.

> During the first surgery while they were looking for the bleeding

they also performed an illeostomy, that is they moved the small

intestine opening to the outside of my stomach and I had a bag on my

side that collected the liquid body waste. This was done to see if

they could figure out where I was bleeding from. ( that was a bad

experience in itself). I was too weak for them to take it away on the

second surgery and I had to wait an additional 2 months for that to

be done. I was grateful to have that reversed because it was a very

terrible thing to have attached outside of your body. My heart goes

out to people who have that permanently. So in September I had that

reversal done. That surgery was on the right lower side of my

stomach. I then developed a tumor on the left lower side of my

stomach which I had removed in October. They said it was something

called a foreign body encapsulation. So something was in side me yet

that my body didn't like and formed a tumor around it.

> Thru all this all of my incisions became abscessed at one time or

another and had to be re-opened to drain. About 2 weeks ago they

found fluid in my pelvic floor and had to aspirate it out. The

culture on this came back positive for Staph, which is an infection

in the body. I have been on antibiotics for the past two months. I

was out of work for 4 months.

> I could no longer afford to be out of work so I am working once

again and still have open incisions that are draining in my body.

> This was a nightmare that I almost lost my life over.

> Would I have the MGB again you might ask? Yes I would do it over

again but be more persistent with doctors who were unable to find

where I was bleeding from.

> I hate that I am gaining weight again rapidly but am grateful to be

alive.

> If you have any more questions, feel free to ask or if you want to

email me privately you are welcome to do that.

> Pat

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I dont know what the odds are of this happening but Dr. R knew right where to

find that bleed. Fortunately for me I live in , Nevada and Dr. R.

operates out of a hospital here. I was in another hospital at the time?and was

in critical condition and had my family contact him. He came to that hospital

the next day and saw me?. A?friend of mine's father is a doctor and got him

special operating privileges in the hospital that I was in at the time.

I had my original surgery done in No. Carolina by Dr. R in 2001.

Re: Ulcer follow up

What are the odds of this happening?? Do you know others that this has happened

to?? How did you get Dr. R. involved in this and where did you have the surgery

done to have the bypass taken down?

[Guest guest]

Pat: I'm glad that you're on the mend. You have had a horrible experience.

I had ulcers before my MGB but not since. I still remember being doubled

over with pain on the way to work. I'd have to pull over on the shoulder and

would cry until the pain let up some.

Our family too was on the receiving end of Dr. R's skill. My oldest daughter

Drema had a huge tumor in her abdomen. We were told it was lymphoma or

sarcoma and she would need chemo and radiation and her chances of survival

were not good. She was 34 with three children. She was at one of the best

hospitals in the country in Washington, DC. Then the doctors started

disagreeing with each other about what it was. In the meantime, we were told

that she was gravely ill and probably would not survive. We got Dr.

Rutledge involved (we just called him and told him what was going on) and I

drove her to NC to see him. Within an hour or so of arriving he took her

into the operating room and removed a very large tumor that was benign. She

was in the hospital five days and recovered quickly and is fine. No cancer.

I hope that the worst is over for you Pat. Thanks for sharing your

experience. It may help one of us to recognize when pain is telling us

something and that we need to advocate for ourselves.

Flo

_____

From: [mailto: ] On

Behalf Of iseeu25232@...

Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2008 1:10 PM

Subject: Re: Re: Ulcer follow up

,

Dr. Rutledge was not the first surgeon, only after the other doctors could

not find the problem, I called Dr. Rutledge for help, I was in bad shape!

The other surgeon told CLOS that I was not going to make it. When Dr

Rutledge heard this he dropped everything to get emergency credentials at

the hospital I was in, it was a holiday so it was not easy. Dr Rutledge

performed my next surgery found the ulcer and repaired it. He saved my life!

How it started*************************

Well to start I had been having stomach pain for about a year and had been

to many gastroenterologists and been thru several endoscopes and

colonoscopies. I had also been diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia and was

recieving IV iron monthly. I happen to think I was bleeding all along and

they just didn't see where it was going on. After my second surgery Dr. R.

took down the bypass saying the bleeding was in the area of the connection

and that is why it was not seen on the tests that I had done.

I even saw Dr. R at a clinic and he told me to take large doses of prilosec.

During the first surgery while they were looking for the bleeding they also

performed an illeostomy, that is they moved the small intestine opening to

the outside of my stomach and I had a bag on my side that collected the

liquid body waste. This was done to see if they could figure out where I was

bleeding from. ( that was a bad experience in itself). I was too weak for

them to take it away on the second surgery and I had to wait an additional 2

months for that to be done. I was grateful to have that reversed because it

was a very terrible thing to have attached outside of your body. My heart

goes out to people who have that permanently. So in September I had that

reversal done. That surgery was on the right lower side of my stomach. I

then developed a tumor on the left lower side of my stomach which I had

removed in October. They said it was something called a foreign body

encapsulation. So something was in side me yet that my body didn't like and

formed a tumor around it.

Thru all this all of my incisions became abscessed at one time or another

and had to be re-opened to drain. About 2 weeks ago they found fluid in my

pelvic floor and had to aspirate it out. The culture on this came back

positive for Staph, which is an infection in the body. I have been on

antibiotics for the past two months. I was out of work for 4 months.

I could no longer afford to be out of work so I am working once again and

still have open incisions that are draining in my body.

This was a nightmare that I almost lost my life over.

Would I have the MGB again you might ask? Yes I would do it over again but

be more persistent with doctors who were unable to find where I was bleeding

from.

I hate that I am gaining weight again rapidly but am grateful to be alive.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask or if you want to email me

privately you are welcome to do that.

Pat

Re: Ulcer follow up

Dear Pat

Im glad to hear you are doing well after so difficult a time, would you

mind sharing with us what caused the bleeding and ultimate reversal so

that others might avoid the same unfortunate situation? I had my MGB in

2001 also but am beginning to have different problems so I and I am

sure others would like as much info as possible to avoid problems as we

get further along. Blessings Conrad

I went back to surgery two days later and Dr. R was there thank

goodness because he found the spot that was bleeding and took care of

it. Unfortunately my bypass was taken down in that surgery and I have

started to gain weight again. I am?very grateful to be alive even if I

no longer have my bypass.?But anyway please be aware that if you do

have severe stomach pain take care of it immediately so you don't wind

up in this situation.

> Pat Iurato

> MGB 3/7/01 reversed 7/5/08 :-(

>

------------------------------------

Visit us at www.clos.net

[Guest guest]

Hi Pat,

Could you answer a couple of questions please:

Were you taking any meds that could have predisposed you to ulceration?

Was the bleeding at the site of the stomach and small bowel hook-up?

WEre you taking Prilosec before the bleed?

I am wondering if we should all be taking prilosec daily even without symptoms. 

After reading this I find myself reaching for it even though my stomach feels

fine most days.

Thanks for sharing,  Pam

From: flo <flo@...>

Subject: RE: Re: Ulcer follow up

Date: Monday, November 24, 2008, 4:04 AM

Pat: I'm glad that you're on the mend. You have had a horrible experience.

I had ulcers before my MGB but not since. I still remember being doubled

over with pain on the way to work. I'd have to pull over on the shoulder and

would cry until the pain let up some.

Our family too was on the receiving end of Dr. R's skill. My oldest daughter

Drema had a huge tumor in her abdomen. We were told it was lymphoma or

sarcoma and she would need chemo and radiation and her chances of survival

were not good. She was 34 with three children. She was at one of the best

hospitals in the country in Washington, DC. Then the doctors started

disagreeing with each other about what it was. In the meantime, we were told

that she was gravely ill and probably would not survive. We got Dr.

Rutledge involved (we just called him and told him what was going on) and I

drove her to NC to see him. Within an hour or so of arriving he took her

into the operating room and removed a very large tumor that was benign. She

was in the hospital five days and recovered quickly and is fine. No cancer.

I hope that the worst is over for you Pat. Thanks for sharing your

experience. It may help one of us to recognize when pain is telling us

something and that we need to advocate for ourselves.

Flo

_____

From: @gro ups.com [mailto:@gro ups.com] On

Behalf Of iseeu25232aol (DOT) comD

Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2008 1:10 PM

@gro ups.com

Subject: Re: Re: Ulcer follow up

,

Dr. Rutledge was not the first surgeon, only after the other doctors could

not find the problem, I called Dr. Rutledge for help, I was in bad shape!

The other surgeon told CLOS that I was not going to make it. When Dr

Rutledge heard this he dropped everything to get emergency credentials at

the hospital I was in, it was a holiday so it was not easy. Dr Rutledge

performed my next surgery found the ulcer and repaired it. He saved my life!

How it started***** ********* ********* **

Well to start I had been having stomach pain for about a year and had been

to many gastroenterologists and been thru several endoscopes and

colonoscopies. I had also been diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia and was

recieving IV iron monthly. I happen to think I was bleeding all along and

they just didn't see where it was going on. After my second surgery Dr. R.

took down the bypass saying the bleeding was in the area of the connection

and that is why it was not seen on the tests that I had done.

I even saw Dr. R at a clinic and he told me to take large doses of prilosec..

During the first surgery while they were looking for the bleeding they also

performed an illeostomy, that is they moved the small intestine opening to

the outside of my stomach and I had a bag on my side that collected the

liquid body waste. This was done to see if they could figure out where I was

bleeding from. ( that was a bad experience in itself). I was too weak for

them to take it away on the second surgery and I had to wait an additional 2

months for that to be done. I was grateful to have that reversed because it

was a very terrible thing to have attached outside of your body. My heart

goes out to people who have that permanently. So in September I had that

reversal done. That surgery was on the right lower side of my stomach. I

then developed a tumor on the left lower side of my stomach which I had

removed in October. They said it was something called a foreign body

encapsulation. So something was in side me yet that my body didn't like and

formed a tumor around it.

Thru all this all of my incisions became abscessed at one time or another

and had to be re-opened to drain. About 2 weeks ago they found fluid in my

pelvic floor and had to aspirate it out. The culture on this came back

positive for Staph, which is an infection in the body. I have been on

antibiotics for the past two months. I was out of work for 4 months.

I could no longer afford to be out of work so I am working once again and

still have open incisions that are draining in my body.

This was a nightmare that I almost lost my life over.

Would I have the MGB again you might ask? Yes I would do it over again but

be more persistent with doctors who were unable to find where I was bleeding

from.

I hate that I am gaining weight again rapidly but am grateful to be alive.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask or if you want to email me

privately you are welcome to do that.

Pat

Re: Ulcer follow up

Dear Pat

Im glad to hear you are doing well after so difficult a time, would you

mind sharing with us what caused the bleeding and ultimate reversal so

that others might avoid the same unfortunate situation? I had my MGB in

2001 also but am beginning to have different problems so I and I am

sure others would like as much info as possible to avoid problems as we

get further along. Blessings Conrad

I went back to surgery two days later and Dr. R was there thank

goodness because he found the spot that was bleeding and took care of

it. Unfortunately my bypass was taken down in that surgery and I have

started to gain weight again. I am?very grateful to be alive even if I

no longer have my bypass.?But anyway please be aware that if you do

have severe stomach pain take care of it immediately so you don't wind

up in this situation.

> Pat Iurato

> MGB 3/7/01 reversed 7/5/08 :-(

>

------------ --------- --------- ------

Visit us at www.clos.net

[Guest guest]

Hi Pat,

Could you answer a couple of questions please:

Were you taking any meds that could have predisposed you to ulceration?

Was the bleeding at the site of the stomach and small bowel hook-up?

WEre you taking Prilosec before the bleed?

I am wondering if we should all be taking prilosec daily even without symptoms. 

After reading this I find myself reaching for it even though my stomach feels

fine most days.

Thanks for sharing,  Pam

From: flo <flo@...>

Subject: RE: Re: Ulcer follow up

Date: Monday, November 24, 2008, 4:04 AM

Pat: I'm glad that you're on the mend. You have had a horrible experience.

I had ulcers before my MGB but not since. I still remember being doubled

over with pain on the way to work. I'd have to pull over on the shoulder and

would cry until the pain let up some.

Our family too was on the receiving end of Dr. R's skill. My oldest daughter

Drema had a huge tumor in her abdomen. We were told it was lymphoma or

sarcoma and she would need chemo and radiation and her chances of survival

were not good. She was 34 with three children. She was at one of the best

hospitals in the country in Washington, DC. Then the doctors started

disagreeing with each other about what it was. In the meantime, we were told

that she was gravely ill and probably would not survive. We got Dr.

Rutledge involved (we just called him and told him what was going on) and I

drove her to NC to see him. Within an hour or so of arriving he took her

into the operating room and removed a very large tumor that was benign. She

was in the hospital five days and recovered quickly and is fine. No cancer.

I hope that the worst is over for you Pat. Thanks for sharing your

experience. It may help one of us to recognize when pain is telling us

something and that we need to advocate for ourselves.

Flo

_____

From: @gro ups.com [mailto:@gro ups.com] On

Behalf Of iseeu25232aol (DOT) comD

Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2008 1:10 PM

@gro ups.com

Subject: Re: Re: Ulcer follow up

,

Dr. Rutledge was not the first surgeon, only after the other doctors could

not find the problem, I called Dr. Rutledge for help, I was in bad shape!

The other surgeon told CLOS that I was not going to make it. When Dr

Rutledge heard this he dropped everything to get emergency credentials at

the hospital I was in, it was a holiday so it was not easy. Dr Rutledge

performed my next surgery found the ulcer and repaired it. He saved my life!

How it started***** ********* ********* **

Well to start I had been having stomach pain for about a year and had been

to many gastroenterologists and been thru several endoscopes and

colonoscopies. I had also been diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia and was

recieving IV iron monthly. I happen to think I was bleeding all along and

they just didn't see where it was going on. After my second surgery Dr. R.

took down the bypass saying the bleeding was in the area of the connection

and that is why it was not seen on the tests that I had done.

I even saw Dr. R at a clinic and he told me to take large doses of prilosec.

During the first surgery while they were looking for the bleeding they also

performed an illeostomy, that is they moved the small intestine opening to

the outside of my stomach and I had a bag on my side that collected the

liquid body waste. This was done to see if they could figure out where I was

bleeding from. ( that was a bad experience in itself). I was too weak for

them to take it away on the second surgery and I had to wait an additional 2

months for that to be done. I was grateful to have that reversed because it

was a very terrible thing to have attached outside of your body. My heart

goes out to people who have that permanently. So in September I had that

reversal done. That surgery was on the right lower side of my stomach. I

then developed a tumor on the left lower side of my stomach which I had

removed in October. They said it was something called a foreign body

encapsulation. So something was in side me yet that my body didn't like and

formed a tumor around it.

Thru all this all of my incisions became abscessed at one time or another

and had to be re-opened to drain. About 2 weeks ago they found fluid in my

pelvic floor and had to aspirate it out. The culture on this came back

positive for Staph, which is an infection in the body. I have been on

antibiotics for the past two months. I was out of work for 4 months.

I could no longer afford to be out of work so I am working once again and

still have open incisions that are draining in my body.

This was a nightmare that I almost lost my life over.

Would I have the MGB again you might ask? Yes I would do it over again but

be more persistent with doctors who were unable to find where I was bleeding

from.

I hate that I am gaining weight again rapidly but am grateful to be alive.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask or if you want to email me

privately you are welcome to do that.

Pat

Re: Ulcer follow up

Dear Pat

Im glad to hear you are doing well after so difficult a time, would you

mind sharing with us what caused the bleeding and ultimate reversal so

that others might avoid the same unfortunate situation? I had my MGB in

2001 also but am beginning to have different problems so I and I am

sure others would like as much info as possible to avoid problems as we

get further along. Blessings Conrad

I went back to surgery two days later and Dr. R was there thank

goodness because he found the spot that was bleeding and took care of

it. Unfortunately my bypass was taken down in that surgery and I have

started to gain weight again. I am?very grateful to be alive even if I

no longer have my bypass.?But anyway please be aware that if you do

have severe stomach pain take care of it immediately so you don't wind

up in this situation.

> Pat Iurato

> MGB 3/7/01 reversed 7/5/08 :-(

>

------------ --------- --------- ------

Visit us at www.clos.net

[Guest guest]

Flo,

Glad to hear your daughter is doing well now. Hopefully for me the worst is

over. Thanks for you support.

Pat

Re: Ulcer follow up

Dear Pat

Im glad to hear you are doing well after so difficult a time, would you

mind sharing with us what caused the bleeding and ultimate reversal so

that others might avoid the same unfortunate situation? I had my MGB in

2001 also but am beginning to have different problems so I and I am

sure others would like as much info as possible to avoid problems as we

get further along. Blessings Conrad

I went back to surgery two days later and Dr. R was there thank

goodness because he found the spot that was bleeding and took care of

it. Unfortunately my bypass was taken down in that surgery and I have

started to gain weight again. I am?very grateful to be alive even if I

no longer have my bypass.?But anyway please be aware that if you do

have severe stomach pain take care of it immediately so you don't wind

up in this situation.

> Pat Iurato

> MGB 3/7/01 reversed 7/5/08 :-(

>

------------------------------------

Visit us at www.clos.net

[Guest guest]

Pat, I am so sorry to hear what you have gone through. I hope you feel better

soon!!!

All the best,

Suzanne

Life is short,

Break the rules,

Forgive quickly,

Kiss slowly,

Love truly,

Laugh uncontrollably,

And never regret anything that made you smile.

________________________________

From: " iseeu25232@... " <iseeu25232@...>

Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2008 1:10:03 PM

Subject: Re: Re: Ulcer follow up

,

Dr. Rutledge was not the first surgeon, only after the other doctors could not

find the problem, I called Dr. Rutledge for help, I was in bad shape! The other

surgeon told CLOS that I was not going to make it. When Dr Rutledge heard this

he dropped everything to get emergency credentials at the hospital I was in, it

was a holiday so it was not easy. Dr Rutledge performed my next surgery found

the ulcer and repaired it. He saved my life!

How it started***** ********* ********* **

Well to start I had been having stomach pain for about a year and had been to

many gastroenterologists and been thru several endoscopes and colonoscopies. I

had also been diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia and was recieving IV iron

monthly. I happen to think I was bleeding all along and they just didn't see

where it was going on. After my second surgery Dr. R. took down the bypass

saying the bleeding was in the area of the connection and that is why it was not

seen on the tests that I had done.

I even saw Dr. R at a clinic and he told me to take large doses of prilosec.

During the first surgery while they were looking for the bleeding they also

performed an illeostomy, that is they moved the small intestine opening to the

outside of my stomach and I had a bag on my side that collected the liquid body

waste. This was done to see if they could figure out where I was bleeding from.

( that was a bad experience in itself). I was too weak for them to take it away

on the second surgery and I had to wait an additional 2 months for that to be

done. I was grateful to have that reversed because it was a very terrible thing

to have attached outside of your body. My heart goes out to people who have that

permanently. So in September I had that reversal done. That surgery was on the

right lower side of my stomach. I then developed a tumor on the left lower side

of my stomach which I had removed in October. They said it was something called

a foreign body encapsulation. So something was in side me yet that my body

didn't like and

formed a tumor around it.

Thru all this all of my incisions became abscessed at one time or another and

had to be re-opened to drain. About 2 weeks ago they found fluid in my pelvic

floor and had to aspirate it out. The culture on this came back positive for

Staph, which is an infection in the body. I have been on antibiotics for the

past two months. I was out of work for 4 months.

I could no longer afford to be out of work so I am working once again and still

have open incisions that are draining in my body.

This was a nightmare that I almost lost my life over.

Would I have the MGB again you might ask? Yes I would do it over again but be

more persistent with doctors who were unable to find where I was bleeding from.

I hate that I am gaining weight again rapidly but am grateful to be alive.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask or if you want to email me

privately you are welcome to do that.

Pat

Re: Ulcer follow up

Dear Pat

Im glad to hear you are doing well after so difficult a time, would you

mind sharing with us what caused the bleeding and ultimate reversal so

that others might avoid the same unfortunate situation? I had my MGB in

2001 also but am beginning to have different problems so I and I am

sure others would like as much info as possible to avoid problems as we

get further along. Blessings Conrad

I went back to surgery two days later and Dr. R was there thank

goodness because he found the spot that was bleeding and took care of

it. Unfortunately my bypass was taken down in that surgery and I have

started to gain weight again. I am?very grateful to be alive even if I

no longer have my bypass.?But anyway please be aware that if you do

have severe stomach pain take care of it immediately so you don't wind

up in this situation.

> Pat Iurato

> MGB 3/7/01 reversed 7/5/08 :-(

>

------------ --------- --------- ------

Visit us at www.clos.net

[Guest guest]

Gosh, that must have been really, really scary for you . I am so

pleased to hear that there was such a positive outcome for you. I

appreciate you taking the time to let us know about your experience.

It serves as a reminder to us all to stay vigilant.

Grizz

>

> I had the mgb in May 2000. I have never had any issues. About a

year ago I

> started to feel tired all the time and just not good. I went to the

Dr and my

> iron levels and hemoglobin were so low almost off the scales. I had

two iron

> infusions and that did not seem to help. They checked everything

for any kind

> of bleeding etc. Still nothing. Then one day I had this terrible

pain right

> in the middle of my stomach below my breast bone. The pain

intensified by the

> minute. I was taken to the hospital and checked and they were

pretty sure it

> was my gall bladder. They made me comfortable as possible until I

could be

> taken to surgery the next morning. While I was in surgery the Dr

said my gall

> bladder looked normal so he started looking around and found blood

and puss

> and other toxins and decided there had to be something else. He

cut me open and

> found a hole in my small intestine that was releasing all this. He

closed up

> the hole and I spent a week in the hospital. Not sure how long the

ulcer was

> there but when it perforated I knew it. I was in instant pain and

got very

> sick. This was something that was only found in surgery. I am

doing fine now

> but rest assure if I ever feel a pain such as that I will be at

the hospital

> immediatly.

>

> MGB May 2000

> 310-165

>

>

> In a message dated 11/23/2008 2:53:47 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,

> iseeu25232@... writes:

>

>

>

>

> After 7 years with the MGB I had gastrointestinal bleeding just

this year in

> July. It was very serious so I say to everyone if you have any

stomach pain

> and are anemic please get checked and re-checked. I had endoscopy

after

> endoscopy and not one showed any bleeding sites. I was bleeding so

severly they

> had to admit me to ICU and I recieved 23? units of blood. They

couldn't even

> find out where I was bleeding on the first surgery for 4 and half

hours long. I

> went back to surgery two days later and Dr. R was there thank

goodness

> because he found the spot that was bleeding and took care of it.

Unfortunately my

> bypass was taken down in that surgery and I have started to gain

weight

> again. I am?very grateful to be alive even if I no longer have my

bypass.?But

> anyway please be aware that if you do have severe stomach pain take

care of it

> immediately so you don't wind up in this situation.

> Pat Iurato

> MGB 3/7/01 reversed 7/5/08 :-(

>

> Ulcer follow up

>

> I was just wondering, since ulcers can be a long term complication

of

> any Weight Loss Surgery, is there ay way to monitor or test for

> ulcers (like when we are doing blood work?).

>

> Has anyone had any issues with ulcers in the sleeve, or in

the 'rest'

> of the stomach, or the intestine?

>

> Just trying to make sure that I include all aspects in my tests.

>

> I just had my 15 month blood work and mostly it is good. My

oxalate

> is still high, but lower than it was 3 months ago thanks to 3

litres

> of water a day, 1/2 lemon a day, and calcium citrate. Iron is low,

> but having monthly infusions for that.

>

> My liver is no longer fatty, which is also good news.

>

> I have gone from 278 to 196lbs, but am in a smaller clothes size

than

> I was the last time I was 196lbs. The numbers are a funny thing -

I

> notice that even though the scale says I am still obese, the

clothes

> and pics say different.

>

> Anyway, just looking for more knowledge to add to my regular

testing

>

> ------------------------------------

>

> Visit us at www.clos.net

[Guest guest]

Pat, I remember you from way back when, and followed you and many others through

the years. I also had my surgery in 2001, and despite my anemia and ostioporis

(sp) I've had few complications. I am sooooo very grateful for the opportunity

to have had this surgery.. I rarely post but wanted to say how sorry I am that

you've had to go through such a horrible experience. I hope that you're on the

mend and will soon be feeling like your old self once again. Take care of

yourself and have wonderful holidays.

Pat P from RI

Re: Ulcer follow up

What are the odds of this happening?? Do you know others that this has

happened

to?? How did you get Dr. R. involved in this and where did you have the

surgery

done to have the bypass taken down?

[Guest guest]

Hi Pat,

??????????? a here. I lurk alot, but rarely write...but had to tell you my

thoughts are with you. Will you ever be able to have the bypass again? What does

Dr. R. suggest?? So glad he was right on it. He is soooo the best there is!!!!

Re: Re: Ulcer follow up

Pat, I remember you from way back when, and followed you and many others through

the years. I also had my surgery in 2001, and despite my anemia and ostioporis

(sp) I've had few complications. I am sooooo very grateful for the opportunity

to have had this surgery.. I rarely post but wanted to say how sorry I am that

you've had to go through such a horrible experience. I hope that you're on the

mend and will soon be feeling like your old self once again. Take care of

yourself and have wonderful holidays.

Pat P from RI

Re: Ulcer follow up

What are the odds of this happening?? Do you know others that this has happened

to?? How did you get Dr. R. involved in this and where did you have the surgery

done to have the bypass taken down?

[Guest guest]

Hi a,

How the heck are you? Havent heard from you in quite?a while. How did you do

with your weightloss after your revision? Say hi to Evan from me.

Pat Iurato

, Nv

Re: Re: Ulcer follow up

Pat, I remember you from way back when, and followed you and many others through

the years. I also had my surgery in 2001, and despite my anemia and ostioporis

(sp) I've had few complications. I am sooooo very grateful for the opportunity

to have had this surgery.. I rarely post but wanted to say how sorry I am that

you've had to go through such a horrible experience. I hope that you're on the

mend and will soon be feeling like your old self once again. Take care of

yourself and have wonderful holidays.

Pat P from RI

Re: Ulcer follow up

What are the odds of this happening?? Do you know others that this has happened

to?? How did you get Dr. R. involved in this and where did you have the surgery

done to have the bypass taken down?

[Non-text portions of this me

ssage have been removed]

------------------------------------

Visit us at www.clos.net