Any one develop a fistula?

August 2, 2002

Hey guys,

I know someone asked this before but I can't remember when and its

good to bring this subject up again. I just had an EGD done

yesterday to find out why I was getting pain as soon as I eat. My

surgeon was down there for over an hour pulling minute pieces of

seam guard loose and found a pin hole sized what he called a

fistua. I thought a fistula was where the two stomachs reattach if

only its been just stapled across. Mine were totally divided or

what they call transected so I can't see how they could reattach.

My EGD experince was awful I had it down two times before and this

was the worst. They had to give me triple the anesthetic and it

didn't kick in until he was done so I was miserable good thing I

have a high tollerance of pain. He wants me to take prilosec and

will see me back next Wednesday. If the meds don't work then he

will go back down with the scope again and somehow fill the hole. I

was so out of it when he talked to me so my mom relayed the info and

this could be the cause of why my pouch empties too fast. I have a

ton of questions for him so maybe I will find out why I get hungry

every two hours and why my hypoglycemia came back. I keep asking

about a SLD but he says no you would really be able to tell when

your staple line came loose. Wondering if this could be the start

though since the seam guard material is almost gone. It came loose

before twice and balled up and caused an obstruction each time.

This could also be why I've gained 20lbs back too. I'll let you all

know what he has to say Wednesday.

Thanks,

Kristy Warren

lap prox RNY

5/21/99 Dr.

Wentzville, MO

5'8

342/155 now back to 175 trying to loose them though

August 2, 2002

Hi Kristy,

I can't help you with the fistula problem, but I will tell you what I've

heard about a couple of your questions.

>> I thought a fistula was where the two stomachs reattach if

only its been just stapled across. Mine were totally divided or

what they call transected so I can't see how they could reattach.<<

***I had a staple line disruption, and when Dr. Gagner transected my stomach,

he told me that he tucks the old stomach under or away from the new pouch

because occasionally, they have been known to reattach. I guess it's another

incidence of our bodies trying to get back to normal.

>> I keep asking

about a SLD but he says no you would really be able to tell when

your staple line came loose.<<

***I think what your doctor was talking about was peritonitis. If your

stomach is transected and you had a SLD, the stomach contents would enter

your body, which is obviously VERY dangerous. When the stomachs are just

stapled, and not transected, a SLD would just cause whatever is in your new

pouch to just leak into your old stomach, making it almost like you never had

surgery.

I'm sorry about the problems you're having, and hope it gets resolved soon!

in NJ

August 2, 2002

Hi Kristy,

Greetings from Virginia Beach, VA!!

I am now 23 years out from my gastric bypass...

I have been living with several abdominal fistulas, since

September, 1999.. result of having Colon resection done in

January, 1999. I have had (2) seperate major surgeries to

correct (both unsucessful!).

My fistulas appeared through seeping through a hairline

crevice in the lining of my abdominal wall to the surface of

my abdominal surface skin, so my " original " surgical site

(which is exactly the same size and location as my gastric

bypass), continues to leak gastric fluids and acids from my

small intestine and the lower portion of my stomach (which

my 3rd fistulagram confirmed). This can happen from any

major surgery.

Now, my fistulas will not heal by themselves, because of it

being able to release the internal fluid to the surface of

my abdomin.

If you have NO external leakage of the gastric fluid, your

body is capable of healing the fistula(s) without surgery. I

am repeating what 3 different bariatric surgeon's have told

me, and why my system will not heal itself, but requires

surgery.

Don't be concerned about the minimal weight gain, I in fact

have lost more than 30lbs. since my fistula problem. I was

at 195lbs. in January, 1999. This morning, I weighed less

than 160lbs on my bathroom scale...