msmomrules

Hey all, Have not posted in a while. I was sleeved 12/21 released from hospital 12/27 and readmitted 12/30- jan 6th. I had massive internal bleeding , pleural effusions, chest tubes, pain etc. since I have been home still dealing with pain from chest tubes , shortness of breath and I am being followed by pulmonology. My tummy cannot tolerate much at all. No Protein drinks. I have thrown up Water and cannot tolerate more than two spoonfuls of full liquids. My stomach makes loud noises just sipping on water. When I do eat within 30 min I am in restroom with painful gas, loose stools and I cannot believe how awful it is. I am so weak basically go from couch to restroom to bed. Big deal I am down 30 lbs but at what cost? Has anyone else had these symptoms? Reading everyone's posts about what they can eat and how great they feel is so upsetting. I am going to speak with surgeon in the am since it is quite late. I am hoping anti nausea med my help or is this a sign of stricture? I am tired of feeling so sick.

I ended up going in for IV fluids and having a ct with contrast. It shows there is still some old blood in my abdomen. It is being absorbed but slowly. My lung problems are better and now I have zoo ran for nausea. I am trying to keep a better perspective but as you know, it sucks to feel sick. That being said, my thoughts and prayers are with you as you are certainly going through it. How are you getting nutrition? Water? I hear you when you said it is hard to advocate for ourselves . I am a nurse too. Please update when you can.

Call your md.

I have not had your specific complication but since my surgerym12/21 I have. Had internal bleeding, pleural effusions and the need for a chest tube. I was in the hospital both Christmas and New Years. I w released from the hospital finally jan 6 with part of my lung not fully expanded. I had an X-ray yesterday and now they think I have pneumonia . I hardly eat anything. I am on full liquids which I can hardly get anything down. I force the liquids but I cannot get what I need to. Like you warm liquids go down easier than freezing cold. I take nexxium because I get burning in my chest. I take gummy vitamins because the bariatric vitamins are so hard to get down. I still take pain meds with my surgeons blessing to promote rest and the unremitting pain I still have from chest tube and surgery. We are not going to,become addicted to pain meds if you have true pain. It is also true to take pain med before pain becomes unbearable. What your doctor is alluding to is a referral to a gastroenterologist for and endoscopy to see if you have a restriction to swallowing. If so they can attempt to "stretch" esophagus so you can swallow better. The only thing I can suggest is keep your appointments and keep reporting these symptoms. I hope I helped a little and find comfort soon.

Hey there, after I share my scenario, it would be so helpful to have some feedback. Honestly, this site has been so helpful to me. I was sleeved 12/21 and discharged home on Thursday dec 27 I spent every night except the last one in the ICU. They thought I had a Pulmonary Embolism and it turned out I had severe bleeding at incision line and pleural effusion. I was treated with 3 units of blood plus LASIx for the Fluid overload. I am still having pink urine and my pain is on the right side of abdomen. I am keeping my Clear liquids down and find the gas x fil tabs that dissolve right on Your tongue helpful, I am really short of breath still. I do my incentive sprimomter exercise. My surgeon appt is scheduled for jan 3. I have my pcp appt on 12/31.i have read somewhere that sometimes Co2 gas becomes trapped and by taking milk of magnesia this somehow reverses the problem and the shortness of breath. I just got done with treating my uncontrolled bouts diarrhea with Imodium. My loa from work had me going back to work on 12/31. That was adjusted to jan 7. I was also thinking of of taking this wonderful job opportunity. Well, I am worried I will need to take advantage of the vast amount (400 hours )available to me and just breath and focus on healing.my surgeon was extremely positive and kept reassuring me. Sorry for the ramble. Any advice/input would be greatly appreciated. Last night I was wheezing so hard just from leaving the recliner to my upstairs bedroom.

The embolism was questioned and the pleural effusion was found because post op I had difficulty breathing low blood pressure and increased heart rate. When I was readmitted on the 27 th the pleural effusions were massive. Update: I was discharged jan 6th and still have the chest tube stitches in and have a small pneumothorax. they are hoping the lung will close on its own. appt with the lung specialists on jan 14th . They will repeat a chest X-ray so hopefully everything will be resolved. If not they will have to insert some type of catheter to help reexpand the lung. I am in pain with the stitches in and also trying to adjust to a full Iiquid diet and drinking fluids. I am having no pain on left side of abdomen at all. I hope all the problems I have are behind me but I don't feel well and still get short of breath. It's so hard of how some people sail through this. I don't know what I would do if insurance wasn't paying and I had FMLA from work. This forum and your kind words of support have been so helpful.

Update: Well I spoke with my surgeon the morning of 12/30 as I had increased swelling of my feet to add to the rest of the symptoms. He sent me to the ER and I have been admitted. It turned out I had 2 pleural effusions compromising my ability to breath. I also have a collection of blood leftover from the surgery. i also had to have a chest tube placed to remove excess blood. I have received more blood,antibiotics, and pain medications(having a chest tube is quite painful). My respiratory situation is being fixed and surgically I am able to tolerate clear liquids. Tomorrow my diet is supposed to advance to full liquids. Thanks everyone for your input as I am going through this.

I also was upfront with my surgeon because I could do the Shakes during the day but found I had to have a light dinner. The nurse was very careful to point out theat I should not be gaining weight at all. There are so many emotions going on post op and to have that diet and fluid requirement added another responsibility at first was difficult to take on. I think in the end it was very helpful. Having all of this come down during the holidays is also a factor. I pray for Gods protection for you as you take this major step towards health.

I was done to 198 lbs preop on my scale. Upon discharge from hospital 12/27 I was 209 and this morning 12/30 202lbs

Well here's my update 12 hours later. I tried a different strategy with pushing more fluids (water room temp for me). I also got in a warm mug of beef broth and two awesome mugs of chamomile tea. The warmth is very comforting to my tummy. Well guess what? The urine is not so pink! I approached my activity differently as I live in a two story house. I spent the morning downstairs and walked /sat in chair then moved myself, pillows, phone beverages upstairs for nap time /sitting/ walking. I felt the bad abdominal distention release with increased walking. For the evening I am back downstairs. This routine is going very well but still have shortness of breath not overtly wheezing. When I speak my voice quality is fine and within minutes I am totally winded. Well that's my update people. I appreciate hearing me vent and especially appreciate the point about not using this site for unsolicited medical advice. There is always what the text book says will occur and then there is reality. We are living it. Why I am having this problem and someone else is not? That just speaks to our individuality and need for close medical follow up for success. Well tomorrow is another day and I have to hope that it will be better than today. When people are wanting to talk to me today I put a lot off because between the walking, incentive spirometer and pushing those fluids I was busy! Fighting for my new life! Peace out!

Well a little post op perspective regarding the two week preop diet. I think it forced me to start focusing closely on my intake and preparing for this newchange where I am committing to becoming more accountable to my health. It is really been easy for me not take the responsibility and now the time is here. I was sleeved 12/21 and I was appreciative of the fact that I was prepared and "cleaned out" prior. I am looking for some buddies mentors so please let me know if you are interested in traveling though this journey together. Me

great news!! do they know what the problem is ? do you have a stricture or a leak and if you dont mind me asking how much weight have you lost?

How did today go?

I have bobs horizon they required 6 mo and the fact that for two years I had been trying to lose weight. You have all the comorbidities so you should be good. I questioned the 6 mo deal and the surgery coordinator advised me to stick it out because if we submitted too soon the appeal process could be lengthy.

Hang in there and hopefully you have a decent surgery coordinator that will help you. Going for the monthly visit was difficult but a necessary part of the process. After paperwork was finally submitted I heard back in 48 hours, I still can't believe it. I was so hungry for info and found a lot the good bad and ugly information I was seeking right here.

When I was researching dr Aceves seemed the most experienced and is very well respected. He is very cautious I have read . If I were going to Mexico that is whom I would use. I was so surprised that my insurance covered this procedure that will be done 12/21. It's a tough decision since there are many that are satisfied with dr Garcia as well. I hope you have peace soon and I wish you the best. I also understand your apprehension as I am a failed lap band and am worried about complications.

I cannot work and deal with optifast and jello for two weeks? Is this a predictor of how I will do postoperative because it will be a long time before I will be able to eat again. Can anyone tell me if you get headaches from not eating postoperatively.

A body bag is used in the hospital after someone passes away. A bariatric body bag would be large enough for an overweight person.

I can't keep up this preop diet living on jello and three shakes a day. I am jittery and have horrible a headaches plus I have to work. Did anyone else have trouble? I don't feel comfortable telling my employer and my elderly parents have any of you felt the same way?

All the time I spent worrying about getting approved and now approved hand am so scared. What if I get sick like some do? I am also so weak and sick from the pre op shakes so please don't mind me

Glad you are feeling better! Have you also tried to drink anything on your own or are you reluctant to as it might make you sick? Do you get headaches from all the not eating?

hey there, Just wondering when did you have first start having trouble post op. have you been unable to keep anything down from day one? No wonder you are so weak!

Having mysurgery 12/21. I could use all the support I can get as my emotions are all over the place. I am scared and excited. I am on liquid diet 3 shakes a day and am having a hard time with it. I am interested in knowing how long you all plan on taking off from work and what vitamins will you be on. I do Am supposed to be on three shakes a day for two weeks!

Hey there, Can you all tell me how much time needed before you felt that you could handle going back to work? Thanks, Marie