My name is Matt. I'm 17 years old. I live in Illinois. I have had SBS since I was 3.

When I was born 3 months premature I had problems keeping food down, so by the time I was 9 months old and  still in the hospital, I had surgery to correct that. It was that surgery that formed scar tissue on my intestines. 

By the time I was 3 the scarring tightened down and strangled my bowel. By the time I got into surgery gang  green had set in. I now have 6 cm of small bowel. I spent 3 months in the hospital. My mom and dad learned  how to care for me and the broviac catheter in my artery. I was sent home on TPN. 

They force-fed me some terrible stuff through my mouth that only taught me how to gag real well. My parents  decided to have a G tube put into my stomach so I could have some liquid calories and be able to use my gut.  Within another year I was able to come off the TPN.

I had developed such a gag reflex that I refused to swallow anything. I couldn't help but gag on everything. That  went on for 10 years or so. My growth at that time was really falling off the chart. My doctor, who by the way is a  great guy, decided to send me to a pediatric endocronologist for growth hormone therapy. That was 5 years   ago. I am now 5' 7" and growing. It was also that growth hormone that stimulated my hunger. I eat constantly.  Just about anything except green pepper.

Last December I had the G tube removed but the hole didn't seal up, so I am going to have it surgically closed  in April. I'm also hoping that they can remove some of these metal sutures that are poking me from the original  surgery.

I see you are talking about vitamins. I am taking B12 shots monthly, selenium, Vit K, Vit E, multi vitamins and  also tetracycline for a bacteria over growth in the bowel that gives off a toxin that is expelled through my breath.  It was getting to be a strong odor and this corrects it for me.

I don't remember not having short gut so I really don't have anything to compare to but I have a comfortable life  and enjoy bowling, my car and friends. I deal with the diarrhea and gas and bloating every day but it just seems  "normal" to me.

I am so glad to have found your page and I am really looking forward to talking to you. I hope there are other  teens out there cause I'd really like to meet them.

I have a lot more to share hopefully I can help someone too. You have my permission to publish my letter.

I'm looking forward to your reply.