Re: fistula

November 1, 2002

<< What's a fistula? >>

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

A fistula is a connection between two points. In our cases it is not a desired

connection because it has formed on its own. The body tries, I guess from years

of evolution, to " right " itself. Our surgeries put the body in a state of

semi-starvation. This is why it is so important to religiously take our

supplements, vitamins, proteins, etc. Just as in a bear hybernating for the

winter, when there isn't enough " stuff " to supply all the systems of our bodies,

all the less essential systems shut down. This is why several months after

surgery many folks lose some hair or notice their nails get very thin and

brittle. These uses for protein are considered by the body as non-essential, and

are shut down. Now, you are thinking, what does this have to do with a

fistula??? she is rambling...... Well, when the body isn't getting enough of

what it needs to satisfy even if basic needs, it will try to " right " itself. It

can do this in many ways, It can elongate (lengthen) the intestine so that it

can absorb more from it; it can create a disruption/break in the staple line to

allow more food into the stomach; it can bore a tunnel into the transected

stomach from the pouch, again to have access to food, nutrients etc.

A fistula can also occur from scar tissue, or from acid in the stomach, or from

infection or several other causes, but ends up a tunnel from one place to

another that shouldn't be there.

Doc Carolyn

November 2, 2002

Thank you, Dr Carolyn, I finally understand! So, when someone says they have

a fistula, we should ask what kind, because they can take many different

forms. And, now I also understand why, when Dr. Gagner transected my stomach

after the SLD, told me he sort of folds the stomach and pouch under and away

from each other because they have been known to reconnect. In other words,

it's not necessarily beneficial to us, but the body has been known to

regenerate itself. Fascinating.

in NJ

***************************

In a message dated 11/1/2002 11:08:29 PM Eastern Standard Time,

dr4kids2@... writes:

> when the body isn't getting enough of what it needs to satisfy even if basic

> needs, it will try to " right " itself. It can do this in many ways, It can

> elongate (lengthen) the intestine so that it can absorb more from it; it

> can create a disruption/break in the staple line to allow more food into

> the stomach; it can bore a tunnel into the transected stomach from the

> pouch, again to have access to food, nutrients etc.

November 2, 2002

Thanks...good description for me to understand and reinforce good habits

post surgery.

Martha H

Re: fistula

>

> << What's a fistula? >>

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

> A fistula is a connection between two points. In our cases it is not a

desired connection because it has formed on its own. The body tries, I

guess from years of evolution, to " right " itself. Our surgeries put the body

in a state of semi-starvation. This is why it is so important to religiously

take our supplements, vitamins, proteins, etc. Just as in a bear hybernating

for the winter, when there isn't enough " stuff " to supply all the systems of

our bodies, all the less essential systems shut down. This is why several

months after surgery many folks lose some hair or notice their nails get

very thin and brittle. These uses for protein are considered by the body as

non-essential, and are shut down. Now, you are thinking, what does this

have to do with a fistula??? she is rambling...... Well, when the body

isn't getting enough of what it needs to satisfy even if basic needs, it

will try to " right " itself. It can do this in many ways, It can elongate

(lengthen) the intestine so that it can absorb more from it; it can create a

disruption/break in the staple line to allow more food into the stomach; it

can bore a tunnel into the transected stomach from the pouch, again to have

access to food, nutrients etc.

>

> A fistula can also occur from scar tissue, or from acid in the stomach, or

from infection or several other causes, but ends up a tunnel from one place

to another that shouldn't be there.

>

> Doc Carolyn

>

November 2, 2002