Stomach pain / burning /feeling like I got punched, 3 years post gastric sleeve. Advice?

Question

Hello i have been feeling like i have been punched in my stomach. I had gastric sleeve 3 years ago and i have lost 70 pounds from it. When i eat (all the time)sometimes even when i drink something i start getting stomach pain i would only take 4 bites and it gets like that. It feels like someone is grabbing my stomach and twisting it and using it like a punching bag. My whole back will hurt and i get hot flashes ( im 31). Im still 282 lbs and still would love to lose more so i can be 220.

Babak Moeinolmolki, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello, there are many potential causes to your pain, some related to your surgery others unrelated. I strongly recommend evaluation by a physician to determine the underlying cause. A surgery-related explanation could be ulceration (tissue damage) of your stomach. If this is the case, your doctor would likely recommend an anti-acid medication such as a proton pump inhibitor. Until the problem is diagnosed, it is wise to avoid ulcer-inducing medications including Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as aspirin, Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen), as well as steroids.
Best wishes

Ali Solmaz, MD · Answer

Three years out from gastric sleeve surgery, persistent and severe pain like you're describing is not something to ignore. The sensation you mentioned&mdash;like being punched in the stomach, pain after just a few bites or sips, radiating to your back, accompanied by hot flashes&mdash;suggests there may be a serious underlying issue that needs to be thoroughly investigated.
One possibility could be the development of strictures or narrowing in your stomach or sleeve, which can make it very difficult for food or even liquids to pass through, causing pain and discomfort almost immediately after eating. Another concern might be related to ulcers or irritation in the lining of the stomach, which can be aggravated by certain foods, medications, or even long-term acid reflux. There’s also the chance of a functional issue, like delayed gastric emptying (gastroparesis), or something anatomical such as a hernia or adhesion from previous surgery.
The referred pain to your back and the presence of hot flashes may also point to complications involving your digestive system or possibly your gallbladder or pancreas. At your current weight and given your goal to lose more, this pain may also be affecting your ability to eat properly and continue your progress&mdash;so it’s crucial to get it addressed.
I strongly urge you to schedule a visit with your bariatric team or a GI specialist as soon as possible. This isn’t something to wait on. You may need diagnostic imaging like an upper endoscopy, ultrasound, or contrast study to find out what’s going on. Until then, try to keep track of what triggers the pain, how long it lasts, and any additional symptoms&mdash;it will help your doctors better assess the situation.
You’ve already made incredible progress in your journey by losing 70 pounds and committing to improving your health. You deserve to feel well and continue reaching your goals without being held back by pain or discomfort. Please don’t hesitate to get evaluated soon&mdash;your health is worth it.

Pablo Garcia, MD · Answer

I would recommend a consultation with your main surgeon who can proceed to assess your current health status and obtain some labwork based on your symptoms to know for certain what is causing them.There are a lot other factors which should be considered before making any assumptions, head back to your main physician and explain all your symptoms. My Best Wishes,

Stomach pain / burning /feeling like I got punched, 3 years post gastric sleeve. Advice?

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Stomach pain / burning /feeling like I got punched, 3 years post gastric sleeve. Advice?

Answers (3)

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Everything you need to know about Gastric Sleeve Surgery

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