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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Hole in sotmach repair
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
Hole in sotmach repair
by pmoni25, May 06, 2007 12:00AM
I am 29 and had a lap band removed but it had eroded into my stomach making a hole. My doc didnt see the hole when he went to take the lap band out but about three days later I turned really sick and he did emergency surg and found the hole. The hole is repaired now but I was in ICU for 6 days and in hospital for an additional 8 days and I am finally back at home now. I am having high wbcs at first went to 25000 but now 2 weeks later at 15100. Im on vancomycin now and diffulcan but they dont know why my count is high. I finally stopped have fever(going highest to 101.5) but had it while in the hospital. I am suffering with diarrhea and I just want to know how long it takes the stomach to heal? Should my wbc start going down? My entire gi system seems out of order. When should the diarrhea stop?
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, May 06, 2007 12:00AM
, May 06, 2007 12:00AM
An elevated WBC could be indicative of the recent surgery or persistent infection. The resolving fever is a positive sign that of recovery.
Diarrhea should be checked for the bacteria C Difficile - and treated appropriately. Long-term antibiotic use can lead to this infection. Obtaining stool cultures as well as a colonoscopy can help if the diarrhea continues.
I would assume that appropriate imaging and blood cultures have already been done to help track the source of the infection. This should be done in conjunction with an infectious disease evaluation.
As for healing time after the surgery - this would depend on the extent, as well as any other diseases that may be present (i.e. diabetes). Normally a few weeks may be needed for a full recovery.
These options can be discussed with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
Diarrhea should be checked for the bacteria C Difficile - and treated appropriately. Long-term antibiotic use can lead to this infection. Obtaining stool cultures as well as a colonoscopy can help if the diarrhea continues.
I would assume that appropriate imaging and blood cultures have already been done to help track the source of the infection. This should be done in conjunction with an infectious disease evaluation.
As for healing time after the surgery - this would depend on the extent, as well as any other diseases that may be present (i.e. diabetes). Normally a few weeks may be needed for a full recovery.
These options can be discussed with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_
Thanks