IsaacsGram

I have had a CT scan with contrast, liver enzymes, amylase level, CBC, and Chemical profile. He gave me Celebrex and an abdominal binder(which I was already using). I saw him last on Wednesday and he told me to call him today to give him an update. When I called and said the pain was no better, maybe even worse, he seemed to get flustered and said, the CT scan was normal, I don't have a leak, a bleed, or an abscess, and an MRI would not be helpful, so he was sorry, but there was nothing else he had to offer me. He said it will just take time, or if it gets really bad I should go to my local ER or see a chronic pain specialist. As i am getting desperate, and I don't feel my ER will be of any help, I am going to see a chiropractor who specializes in neurological and muscular pain issues. As far as seeing another surgeon, I don't even know where to begin, I had researched my entire state and this guy was supposed to be the "best". I will keep updatiing my blog and hope for God's grace and try to have faith that He has a plan for me. Thank you to all for the prayers!

My appointment was not until Nov 7, but I called the surgeon's office yesterday to ask if I could go to my chiropractor for assessment of my continued pain. Initially the nurse said, "sure", but then she asked if the pain I was talking about was related to my surgery, I told her, "of course". She then put me on hold and came back and asked if I could come in at 1:30. So I did, and the surgeon looked genuinely concerned, which was new. He palpated my abdomen, and this time found the VERY SORE spot. He then asked me to sit up, which I could not, without slowly turning to my side and using my arms to push me up. He tried to help me and made it worse, then I cursed, and cried. He said, "this must be musculo-skeletal since it is with movement". He ordered more labs to make sure my liver and pancreas weren't getting worse, and he ordered Celebrex for the pain. He asked me to call in on Friday and give him an update. I was very hopeful that the new meds would help. It is now 24 hours later, and my pain is not better, maybe even worse. I am really fearful of how long this pain will be with me. Now I'm wondering about an abscess, maybe a hernia, oh hell, I don't know...;-(

I thank God I have not had a "major" complication, but at almost 4 weeks out I'm still having pain issues, which my surgeon cannot figure out. It is interfering with my quality of life and basic activities of daily living. I pray time will heal me and I will look back at this as a "bump in the road". I've had follow up blood work twice and an abdominal CT scan. Everything appears "mostly" normal. Complications take on different meanings when you're living them.

Called my employer, confirmed my LOA extension until Nov 8. Feel like some pressure off, not worrying about having to get back to work in less than a week. However, the pain continues. Slept in recliner again, but even getting out of that chair is becoming painful. Pain seems to have moved to more central upper abdomen, just above belly button. I am taking ES tylenol every 6 hours and wearing my abdominal binder to make it tolerable. I still cannot bend over, or lean to one side or the other, or sleep in my own bed. I did sneeze and I did not feel like my stitches were ripping out-so that's an improvement. It's hard to look to the future when I will feel better. I recall thinking of how much better I would feel, how much more I could do after losing the weight, how young I would feel; yea, that's not happening yet. I can't even stand up straight for pete's sake! 23 days postop....it just not fair,...(but what is? )

Left side pain for 2 months? Ohhh. I'm 3 weeks out and tormented by left sided pain. Anything help alleviate it, or did it just disappear one day? Btw you look great!

Has anyone post-surgery had pain develop in both knees? I am trying to decide if it is because I'm using my legs more (to get up, to sit down, etc) or if it's because I've lost so much muscle in a short amount of time. I'm 3 weeks postop and I've lost 35lbs since I started my preop diet on Sept 18. I'm getting in 56-80oz of fluids/day and most days i get my 60gms protein in. I'm 48 and feeling 90!

Thank you for the replies. I have been having issues with continued abdominal pain and now my knees hurt too. It is frustrating. I hope the coming weeks see these aches and pains resolve!

Spent entire day yesterday at hospital, drank disgusting contrast for an Abdominal CT scan to check for any problems that could be causing my ongoing pain. Test was ordered stat and I was to wait for the results. At 4pm got results, NORMAL. Yep, normal. Don't know if I'm happy or not. I'm glad there is nothing horrible going on inside me, but why am I still in so much pain? A doctor friend of mine said it best, "It's just gonna take time, REST, superwoman". I guess that's all I can do now. I am supposed to return to work in 1 week, but i think I will request an extension of my leave until my next MD appointment on Nov.7. I know they will be upset with me, but I have the time coming (paid leave) and I just don't want to go back to work and then have a set back and have to call off-starting the process with my PTO all over again. So, guess I need to look at the positives. I do not have a leak, I do not have pancreatitis (just some mild inflammation), I have lost 34 lbs since starting the pre op diet. Basically 34 lbs in 34 days. Not too bad. Could be worse.

May I join in? WBS. 277. (Sept 18) DOS. 260. (Oct 1) Weight today. 245 Goal weight. 239. No candy this year!!

Follow up from Monday's fiasco from taking Nyquil. I did not go to the ER, but I did follow up with my surgeon on Wednesday. He looked at my incisions again, and I told him about the pain wrapping around from the front to the left back, I told him how I cannot sleep in my bed now, I cannot walk on my treadmill, I cannot sit at the table for more than 2 minutes; all things I could do right after surgery. I also told him that my belly is bloated, and my stools are watery. He tried to assure me I was fine, I was just healing. I insisted that he at least check my blood levels, amylase specifically to check on my pancreas. He finally gave me a script, ordered a CBC, Chemical profile and Amylase levels STAT. I had them done there at the hospital and waited for the results, Well, my Amylase level IS ELEVATED. He had me go on clear liquids effective immediately and call him on Friday morning and if the pain is not resolved he will order at CT Scan. I feel somewhat vindicated, but if he really thought my pancreas was compromised he would have admitted me to the hospital and made me NPO (nothing by mouth) and started IVF's and antibiotics. But as I have no fever, and no active vomiting he is taking a more conservative route. He did make a comment in the office that pancreatitis only happens if alcohol is involved. I assured him the last alcohol I had was last New Year's Eve! Today I was on clears alll day, and I tried walking and decreased the Tylenol, the pain feels the same, not worse, not better. Will call tomorrow and request the CT Scan.

After a bad night Monday, I saw my surgeon today. I've had left sided abdominal pain since surgery, initially told & thought was incisional . But pain worsened , spread to my side and back. After insisting on at least having labs checked, and surgeon saying pancreatitis doesn't happen in "this population "; guess what ? Liver enzymes were high and he put me on clears till Friday- if pain still present will order CTScan. Losing faith...

Thanks all!

I do not have my gallbladder. I am praying the clear liquids help.

Made a big mistake and took Nyquil last night for severe cold symptoms, I only took about a tablespoon and I almost ended up in the ER. I had dizziness, squeezing chest pain, and a searing pain going up between my shoulder blades! I thought i had caused a leak or maybe a blood clot broke loose- I was terrified and call my Surgeon (via his answering service at 10pm), and he said my symptoms were significant even if I did not have the sleeve just 2 weeks ago, he said if the symptoms continued and did not get better I should go to the ER where I had my surgery (an hour away) or come see him in the office tomorrow if symptoms do get relieved. Fortunately I had my hubby with me and he kept me calm and I finally fell asleep in the recliner-he slept on the couch next to me. I usually am not one to panic but the feelings I was having were NOT normal!

Incredible! You hardly look like the same person!

Could you define "very quickly"? I'm 2 weeks postop and my pain is not resolving!

I'm now 2 weeks out and that darn pain just won't go away, Tylenol takes the edge off, but not completely gone. My daughter-in-law told me about the Vitamin E massage too, she used it on her C-section scar and said it made it a lot softer and alleviated that "pulling" feeling. I think I will try that soon as my scabs are almost all gone.

2 weeks ago today I had 85% of my stomach removed. Wow, I really did it. I am still uncomfortable-pain in my left side continues, and even extended around to the left side of my back-like pain through and through from front to back. MD says its normal-don't worry. Ok, sure. My regret is that I ended up telling almost everybody, and now I'm getting those looks-you know the kind-"maybe you shouldn't have done this", "maybe you should have tried harder at dieting/exercising, etc", "so sorry, but you did this to yourself!" . Good grief, I know I should be thankful I have not had worse complications, I'm able to drink just fine, haven't vomited since leaving hospital, no leaks (so far), and I have been able to complete my online college course with an "A" , so I haven't lost brain function due to lack of calories! But I can't roll over in bed without horrible, tearing pain. I can't sit still very long without the burning irritation driving me nuts, and I can't pick up my grandsons or sit on the floor, or bend over.....:wub. Ok, 2 weeks down, 2 weeks till I have to return to work-it WILL GET BETTER , right? I did get some good news, I broke my stall- down 2lbs this morning from last Monday. Of course, 2 lbs is good, but was hoping for more in these early weeks. I suppose it will start going faster once I can work out again. We shalll see what next week brings.....