Solar Plexus discomfort after Roux-en-Y

Question
I had the Roux-en-Y procedure in February of this year. To date I have lost approximately 63 lbs of the 120 - 130 that I hope to lose. Overall, I feel fantastic! This surgery has changed my life for the better. I'm off of my CPAP therapy for OSA, off of Lipitor for high cholesterol and my beta blocker and BP meds have been reduced by 50%.

My only question is this. I have some discomfort in my breastbone / Solar Plexus. It is not debilitating by any means, but is fairly constant. I'm wondering if significant rapid weight loss can trigger this condition solely because of my "shrinking girth", i.e., the rib cage taking on a different shape.

Thank you,

Answer
Michael,
It will be easier for a doc or other provider to answer this when they have the opportunity to actually see you and push on the tender spot, but I will give it a try.  If the discomfort is really on the breastbone or the little projecting bone that sticks out from the bottom (medically called the "Xiphoid process"), then it is probably a matter of bone reshaping as the muscles shift into a different position from your weight loss.

On the other hand, if the pain feels deeper or if it points through to the back, then I might worry about some irritation or maybe an ulcer of your gastric pouch.  Sometimes an ulcer can be present that does not feel very significant, but ends up being a definite problem for the patient with bleeding or blockage.

Bottom line - I recommend that you see your surgeon sometime soon to find out if this seems important to him/her.

Best wishes!

Dr JP

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