stomach surgeries

Question
I've had a lot of gastric surgeries. Staples, original band that didn't open and close, reversed and band taken out, subtotal colectomy, and gastric bypass. I have abdomenal bloating really bad. I thought it could be caused by a stricture, but a CT, and upper gi with small bowel follow through have not shown anything like that. I feel that doctors just want me to deal with this and don't want to touch me anymore. I just don't want to give up as I know what feeling good, feels like. Last month I had horrible pain from taking a vitamin B pill. I think it got stuck in my small intestine, but by the time they took a CT with contrast, it had passed(8 hours later) and they didn't see anything. I can't give up. I live on the couch and don't work, because of this and I want my life back. It's been 5 years. So my question is this. If I have strictures that haven't been seen due to adhesions, or a narrowing inside the small intestines, what would you do to find this? I thought the camera pill, but I've seen that so many get stuck and are forced to have surgery. I've seen they use a dummy pill first sometimes and then can see where things get stuck by taking a CT, but the pill disolves. I had a cousin die of colon cancer in her 20s, so I'm a bit concerned there could be something in there. Can you please give me a direction you would take? I have an appt. with my gastric bypass surgeon in a few weeks and I want to present him with some thoughts on what might help me. He's a really great surgeon that does robotics. So if anyone can help me, I think he can.

Answer
Sue,
I respect your persistence and your dedication.  You are asking the right type of question, and I also think it is smart for you to try to help your surgeon come up with ideas.

Unfortunately, the combination of a CT and Upper GI with Small Bowel Follow Through (2 separate tests) is likely to show the source of trouble in the vast majority of cases.  From where you are, it may be reasonable to go to surgical exploration, which can find a problem sometimes even when radiology tests are normal.

Also, even if your bariatric surgeon is highly skilled and thoughtful, it may be useful to get a second opinion, a "fresh brain" on your case.

Best wishes,
Dr JP

1. Prev:5 day pouch test
2. Next:After Gastric bypass