musiclady2014

Hi everyone! Is there anyone in here from the Richmond area

Hi! I am 7 weeks post op and due to extreme nausea for the past 6 weeks, I've been hospitalized twice, given out patient fluids twice, been on IV nutrition for 3 weeks, and had 3 endoscopes since my surgery. It has not been pleasant, but it does gradually get better - especially if you don't have ulcers or strictures to deal with. And even if you do, there are procedures and medicines to help. One piece of advice!!!!! Do NOT let yourself get dehydrated due to your nausea or any other reason! If you don't get in your fluids for more than a day- immediately call your doctor. I was so dehydrated a few weeks ago that I was hospitalized for 8 days straight. It was the absolute worst experience to date. Definity worse than the surgery. When you become dehydrated your veins may become very difficult to stick and you could end up with a PICC line for easier access to IV fluids/other meds and nutrition. Trust me - it's no fun!!!! Good luck with your nausea and recovery process!

Definitely go see your doctor! The same thing happened to me, and I ended up hospitalized two weeks post op for nausea/dehydration. I am 6 weeks post op as of Tuesday and am still on IV nutrition at home. Come to find out I had a nasty stricture and an ulcer... Please see your doc so he can rule out anything serious!

I am 10 days post op and woke up this morning with extremely tender calves. I have been very good about walking each day to improve the recovery process, however my legs are just so sore today and I have no idea why. Anyone else have a similar experience?

Hi Susan - I can sympathize completely... I'm also in week five post op and have had a similar issue- Constant, relentless nausea and severe dehydration with no ability to eat or drink. I was hospitalized about two weeks ago for 8 days. During that time they did an endoscopy which revealed an ulcer and a stricture. They said that could be the cause of my nausea and definitely the inability to eat/drink. Since they released me from the hospital I've been on IV nutrition (TPN) via a Picc line. I go back to have the stricture dilated on Wednesday so hopefully things are going to get better soon. You may want to ask your doctor about an endoscopy if the nausea and whatnot continues... I'm thinking of you!!!! We will get through this!

I'm doing better...Thanks for asking!!! No DVT - luckily. I'm still on IV nutrition (TPN) via my Picc Line due to not being able to eat and drink. On Wednesday I go to have another Endoscopy where they will hopefully dilate the stricture and check the status of the ulcer. This past week I feel like I've improved quite a bit, so after the endoscopy I hope to push forward with a more normal recovery. I still have the wound being packed daily, but it is improving as well. It still hurts when being packed or when using my core to get up and down. I can't wait to be healed!!!!

First of all, thanks to everyone with words of encouragement. This is definitely a tough road and every little bit helps. I went to my 4 week post op appointment today and had quite the meltdown. But, the nurse practionier was able to get my next endoscopy moved up to the 24th instead of the 30th. Thank goodness!!! She also changed around my nausea medicine so that my fiancé is not having to push IV meds in my Picc line every 4 hours. Neither of us have slept well in almost a week now because of the IV meds so this will also be a blessing if my nausea stays in check. So, although I am still having issues, hopefully the worst is behind me. I am trying very hard to mentally keep myself together because everything seems much worse when you're upset. Keeps the good vibes coming....

So I am almost 4 weeks post op and to be frank, it's been a nightmare. First, an abscessed incision site (it is healing well though). Then I was re-hospitalized for dehydration because I couldn't swallow anything, not even Water. They did an GI endoscopy and found an ulcer and stricture while I was in the hospital. After 8 days they released me to go home under a division of home health care. So for 12 hours a day my Picc line is connected to TPN (IV nutrition) and I also get IV fluids daily. I can't eat or drink anything or I get extremely nauseous. But in all fairness I get extremely nauseous if the nausea meds wear off in general. My fiancé has to push IV Zofran every 4 hours (even at night) and I also have to take benedryl because I'm having allergic reactions (hives, itchiness, sweats) to the Zofran. Unfortunately at this point I don't have a choice because of the high level of nausea I am experiencing. I am so discouraged. This is by far the sickest I've ever been in my life and I feel like I did it to myself. They are going to try and open up the stricture on the 30th, but with my intense symptoms, it feels like an eternity away. I cry a lot and wish I had never had the RNY. It's not that I didn't realize possible complications, but I don't think anyone can quite be ready for the toll they may take on your mind and body. I am at a loss right now...

I'm 16 days post op and for almost a week now I've been incredibly nauseous and can't seem to keep anything (including water) down. Tuesday was my 2week post op and ended up at the hospital for over 8 hours getting IV fluids pumped in me due to dehydration. I'm on two different nausea meds, but apparently they're not working. I'm extremely weak, tired, and emotional. I beginning to regret this surgery. I mean, the weight is coming off, but being so sick is not improving my quality of life. And I'm half convinced the reason the weight is coming off is because I can't get in any nutrition - at all. Anyone other have a similar experience that could give me hope?

I am 11 days post op and have had a few complications (abscessed incision site). My fiancé has been with me every step of the way and I have no clue what I would have done without him. There were times he had to dress me and bathe me. Even before my incision sites became infected he was helping me, but my reliance on him increased drastically when I became sick from the infection. I am just now doing most things on my own. Although everyone is different and many people recover without a lot of help, if help is available - take it. You never know how the surgery will affect you and what your specific needs will be.

Hello all, I had originally posted this in a different thread but I wanted to include it here too. Well it's Day 8 now and let me tell you, it's been an interesting week. I was discharged on Thursday evening, which was nice but scary to think I was ready for that big leap. Once I got home, it was so nice to sleep in my own bed without vital checks every four hours! (Again, I loved my nurses and they were fabulous but it felt so good to get solid rest!) Unfortunately, just as I was starting to get into a daily routine, on Saturday night I noticed that my body did not "feel right". Even after surgery I quickly became aware of how it felt to be in my own skin. I noticed the left side of my abdomen wrapping all the way around to my back seemed really tight and swollen. However there was no redness and I didn't have a fever. So, I went to bed and woke up to the same symptoms only the area that was tight and swollen was also hot-to-touch now. Again though there was not redness or fever. So after some internal debate, I headed back to the hospital, only to the ER this time. Once I arrived they immediately took me back seeing that it was lost likely post-op complications. They had me drink contrast in sugar free Crystal Light lemonade for a CT. I was able to guzzle down about 8 ounces (in an hour) and then they tried the CT scan. Warning! Do not read below if you're squeamish. Results were clear that I had quite an abscess in my lower left abdominal wound. That night was terrible. The admitted me and the surgeon on call ended up opening that wound up bedside with me under very little pain killers. It was scary. As soon as he cut me open, I could feel the liquid gush all over my stomach and bed. Then he had to dig out the puss and search for pockets of the infection, which was quite unpleasant. After he squeezed and dug around for about 30 minutes, he cleaned it with saline and packed it with a thick layer of gauze on top to soak up the infection. I definitely screamed and cried. And I'm pretty sure I passed out at one point. That night I didn't sleep at all. I was in a lot of pain. I was upset that I was back in the hospital and I just wanted to go home. At the same time, I was afraid to go home with this infection. On Monday morning they cleaned and re packed the wound again, which was terrible again. I'm not sure if the nurse had ever packed a wound so deep before because she kept asking for help for her fellow nurse that seemed to be guiding her. At this point and as far as I was concerned, I was not the one to practice on. I may or may not have been a very pleasant patient that morning... My surgeon came to see the wound and he apologized that it had become infected but explained that it is always a risk. It becomes a higher risk when dealing with the intestines as well. He was really nice and calmed my nerves about it. He ensured me that I could go home and he would arrange for Home Care nurses to come daily to my house to do wound care. So I went home on Monday evening, took some good pain medicine, and slept. Today has been okay. I am still very swollen and tender on my left side and I feel like I need a bit more help up and down. Luckily I have the best fiancé ever and he has been right by my side and super understanding/compassionate about my current condition. The nurse that came today was beyond fantastic. I did not have extensive pain when she cleansed and packed the wound today. The nurse also took official stats on all incisions and open wounds (both infected wound and drain wound). I don't know if this is large in the grand scale of things, but, I am flabbergasted that the abscessed wound is a pocket 12cm deep!!! Crazy scary to imagine! Anyways, the nurse had extremely gentle hands and was understanding that my previous experiences were downright awful. She assured me that he nurses in my rotation were all well-seasoned and expert nurses who would thoroughly examine me and give me great care. Yesterday I may have though that was a bunch of smoke being blown up my rear, but today I believed her. Haha. Anyways, it's been a long, trying week. But I am really trying to stay positive about the long haul. Even if no one reads this, it is almost a therapy to write it all down. Hopefully someone will read it though and it may even help them on their journey! I'll keep ya'll updated on the normal gastric bypass issues/new lifestyle and the wound infection as well. Happy Tuesday! ~Angela

Hi everyone, I am about 18 hours post-op and feeling okay. Here's an account of my day (at least what I can recall!) 5:30 am - arrived at hospital/check-in At this time, I paid my copay and completed my hospital provided Advanced Directive/Living Will 6:00 am - seated in waiting area for Pre-Op preparation I was only in this are for about 10 minutes. My fiancé was with me in the waiting area, however, as soon as I was taken back for Pre-Op prep my fiancé was directed to the Surgical Waiting area. 6:10 am - taken to Pre-Op Prep area where I changed into my hospital gown, put on footies, and surgical cap. 6:20 am to 7:25 am - Met with Doctors (surgeon and anesthesiologist) and nurses. Everyone confirmed that I am who I am and if I knew which procedure I was scheduled for. I was given my "forgetful cocktail" around 7:25 am and honestly remember NOTHING afterwards until I woke up in recovery. 7:30 am to 12:00 pm - RNY Gastric Bypass My surgery took approximately 4 1/2 hours, which was about twice as long as the average at this hospital. I still don't know exactly why it took so long, but I was reassured to the surgery went really well. 12:45 pm to 3:00 pm - Absolutely worst part so far. When I awoke in the recovery room, the nurse I had had an atrocious bed-side manner. I asked when I could see my fiancé and was told as soon as I was taken to my room and that should be in just a few minutes. I was just getting used to the new feelings of my body, this is also when I found out my surgery had taken so long, and my nurse ignored my and my requests for over 2 hours. Because of the sore throat, I was only at a whisper at my best and I really struggled to even get her attention. My nurse showed no compassion for my pain and got irritated with me because I was crying because of my pain. Also, a few minutes turned into over 2 hours before I was moved to my room - so I was in pain, visibly upset, and longing for a familiar face. I cried all the way to my room. Awful, 3:00 pm - It got significantly better the moment I met my floor nurses (and finally got to see my fiancé!) The floor nurses have been nothing short of amazing and I am eternally grateful for them. Carol, my first nurse on the floor, was so helpful and accomplished at explaining why she was doing something and how it would affect/help me. I also began drinking ice Water and eating ice chips durning this time. And as of now, I haven't had any nausea or difficulty swallowing, actually, it feels so good! 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm - sleepy and extremely happy to see my fiancé and oldest best girlfriend It hurts to breathe because of the drain at the bottom of my diaphragm and coughing is scary, but tolerable. Did I mention I have PCA (patient administered via pump) Dilaudid. Woo-Hoo! 7:30 pm - first time walking Walking was hard but felt good. It made me feel so accomplished being that my surgery was 12 hours prior and I took a good 10 minute walk (even if I was slow as molasses). The most painful part is getting up and down from the bed because I would typically use core strength to help me up. Right now, my core strength is compromised and it hurts quite a bit trying to roll around and push myself up. 7:45 pm to now (2:00 am) - lots of sleep and vital checks My nurses have now changed twice and each of them have been awesome. I feel so lucky to be with such caring and compassionate health care professionals. Schedule for 8/20: removal of catheter and barium swallow in the AM. Lots of walking and labs throughout the day and first attempts at proteinshakes. I am one of those that like to know exactly is going on and when, so I though I would recorded my experience so that others may have a better idea of what to expect. Please join me in praying that everything goes well tomorrow, well today, and that I get to go home on Thursday. Thanks for listening everyone! ~ Angela

Well it's Day 8 now and let me tell you, it's been an interesting week. I was discharged on Thursday evening, which was nice but scary to think I was ready for that big leap. Once I got home, it was so nice to sleep in my own bed without vital checks every four hours! (Again, I loved my nurses and they were fabulous but it felt so good to get solid rest!) Unfortunately, just as I was starting to get into a daily routine, on Saturday night I noticed that my body did not "feel right". Even after surgery I quickly became aware of how it felt to be in my own skin. I noticed the left side of my abdomen wrapping all the way around to my back seemed really tight and swollen. However there was no redness and I didn't have a fever. So, I went to bed and woke up to the same symptoms only the area that was tight and swollen was also hot-to-touch now. Again though there was not redness or fever. So after some internal debate, I headed back to the hospital, only to the ER this time. Once I arrived they immediately took me back seeing that it was lost likely post-op complications. They had me drink contrast in sugar free Crystal Light lemonade for a CT. I was able to guzzle down about 8 ounces (in an hour) and then they tried the CT scan. Warning! Do not read below if you're squeamish. Results were clear that I had quite an abscess in my lower left abdominal wound. That night was terrible. The admitted me and the surgeon on call ended up opening that wound up bedside with me under very little pain killers. It was scary. As soon as he cut me open, I could feel the liquid gush all over my stomach and bed. Then he had to dig out the puss and search for pockets of the infection, which was quite unpleasant. After he squeezed and dug around for about 30 minutes, he cleaned it with saline and packed it with a thick layer of gauze on top to soak up the infection. I definitely screamed and cried. And I'm pretty sure I passed out at one point. That night I didn't sleep at all. I was in a lot of pain. I was upset that I was back in the hospital and I just wanted to go home. At the same time, I was afraid to go home with this infection. On Monday morning they cleaned and re packed the wound again, which was terrible again. I'm not sure if the nurse had ever packed a wound so deep before because she kept asking for help for her fellow nurse that seemed to be guiding her. At this point and as far as I was concerned, I was not the one to practice on. I may or may not have been a very pleasant patient that morning... My surgeon came to see the wound and he apologized that it had become infected but explained that it is always a risk. It becomes a higher risk when dealing with the intestines as well. He was really nice and calmed my nerves about it. He ensured me that I could go home and he would arrange for Home Care nurses to come daily to my house to do wound care. So I went home on Monday evening, took some good pain medicine, and slept. Today has been okay. I am still very swollen and tender on my left side and I feel like I need a bit more help up and down. Luckily I have the best fiancé ever and he has been right by my side and super understanding/compassionate about my current condition. The nurse that came today was beyond fantastic. I did not have extensive pain when she cleansed and packed the wound today. The nurse also took official stats on all incisions and open wounds (both infected wound and drain wound). I don't know if this is large in the grand scale of things, but, I am flabbergasted that the abscessed wound is a pocket 12cm deep!!! Crazy scary to imagine! Anyways, the nurse had extremely gentle hands and was understanding that my previous experiences were downright awful. She assured me that he nurses in my rotation were all well-seasoned and expert nurses who would thoroughly examine me and give me great care. Yesterday I may have though that was a bunch of smoke being blown up my rear, but today I believed her. Haha. Anyways, it's been a long, trying week. But I am really trying to stay positive about the long haul. Even if no one reads this, it is almost a therapy to write it all down. Hopefully someone will read it though and it may even help them on their journey! I'll keep ya'll updated on the normal gastric bypass issues/new lifestyle and the wound infection as well. Happy Tuesday! ~Angela

Hi Jen! You just described my feelings exactly. We are very similar in height and weight as well. I am day 2 post op... Although I've had some post -op issues, the surgery itself went well. Maybe TMI, but, after they took out the catheter I was obviously expected to urinate in the bathroom ( I may also mention that I am on the heaviest menstral cycle I'v e had in over a year). Well everything went well until I realize I couldn't bend to wipe myself. It was rather eye-opening and embarrassing to have the nurses' aid wipe for me. And the second time I went to pee, I roughed through the wiping part, but my underwear fell to the floor and I could t pick them up. Again, mortifying. Luckily my nurse was super understanding to made me feel a bit better. So far the best information I could give you is to advocate for yourself. If you're in pain, tell them. If you need help in the bathroom, tell them. There is a reason you're in the hospital and the nurses are there to help. - Angela

Thanks ladies! After the first meanie nurse, they've been great! I feel quite fortunate!

I'm getting super excited! I have my pre-op testing and final appointment with my surgeon on August 4. I'm sure I will start the livers shrinking diet that day as well. I can't believe after all this time it's only a few weeks away! We are all going through this together! Age certainly doesn't matter when it comes to that!

I just completed my 6 month and was approved earlier this month. The prior review department at BCBSNC only took 3 days for approval and 5 days until I had the approval letter in my hand. Hopefully it will go as smoothly for you as it did for me!

I just completed my 6 month with BCBSNC.... At least it's approved.... Glad for everyone going through the process now though... It was very stressful for me....

Hi ladies! I just completed the 6 month supervised weight loss program with my PCP. I am scheduled for the RNY bypass on August 19th at Bonsecours St. Mary's in Richmond. Although I was initially very disappointed/discouraged when I found out about the 6 month waiting period, it turned out to be great preparation for the upcoming changes surgery will require. I feel extremely prepared to enter surgery and the lifestyle changes after following the guidelines set forth by my NUT. If you get discouraged, keep in mind that the 6 month (or 12 month) supervised diet is required for a reason... And even if it seems unnecessary based on your weight or health concerns, it better prepares us for way we will live post-op. The day my surgery was approved by insurance and I officially received a surgery date, I felt like I had reached the first of many goals to come. I can't wait for each of you to reach that first goal! It feels so good!

My date was set today! August 19th here. My pre-op testing is August 4th and mandatory classes on the 14th. I began considering weight loss surgery 10 years ago, as I have been morbidly obese since I was 8 years old.... Fast forward 20 years and I'm 28 and finally taking control of my body! And I couldn't be more excited/anxious! I'm so excited for all the possibilities that come with getting happier and healthier. My fiancé and I will finally have our wedding (I haven't been able to face searching for a wedding dress knowing I'm not going to feel like a beautiful bride and I certainly don't want the pictures to remind me! Fall 2015 wedding here I come!) Also, babies! I want some to have/adopt children and be able to keep up with them (and not be the fat mommy at the park). I simply want to feel like me! I feel like I'm trapped in a body that engulfs everything that I am! As far as I'm concerned, August 19th is my second shot at a happy life!

I've been fighting PCOS for years as well. Although I have never actively TRIED to get pregnant, my fiancé and I haven't used any form of B/C for 4 years. We want to have children badly and I hope the RNY will not only help make me healthier, but more fertile as well.

Congratulations! I got approved today as well! It has been a very long time coming and I'm so looking forward to becoming healthier. So happy for you!

In October when I met with my surgeon and began compiling the requirements for surgery, BCBS of NC did not require the 6 month weight loss history with a PCP. However, last Friday we FINALLY submitted the fulfilled requirements to insurance and on Tuesday we found out that I was not approved on the basis that I had not completed the requirements for full review.... And the requirement that I was missing was the 6 month weight loss record with my PCP. I also found out that the new requirement was effective IN OCTOBER... Which means it was updated shortly after my surgery center requested the requirements. I am so angry because had I known about the 6 month requirement, I would only be one month out from surgery... Now I am six! I have been overweight my while life and I am at my limit dealing with my weight... I just can't do it anymore! Has anyone experienced a change in requirements in the middle of compiling a previous set of requirements? If so, how did you deal with it? Any luck battling the insurance company for approval anyways? I feel like such a Bitter Betsy right now and can't stand the thought of six more months!

Hi everyone - this is my first post but I have been very encouraged by all the amazing information you all have to give. I am 27, almost 28 and have been morbidly obese my entire life. I can remember being the chubby girl in daycare when I was only 4 years old! Being a fairly active child and being involved in sports throughout my entire adolescence, I never understood why I was so overweight. During my college years I actually lost a bit of weight (down to about 250lbs at my lowest) and felt awesome. But as soon as I got a big girl office job the weight started to pile on. I am currently at my highest weight and still can't believe I am so big. Unfortunately the last 50lbs I gained have really taken its toll on my body. My entire body hurts, especially my knees and feet. Everything physically is so much harder to accomplish and I feel like I'm judged daily for the way I look. I was recently passed over for a promotion when I was, as my direct supervisor put it, "the clear choice" for the job. I can't help but feel it has to do with my image, as I would be working with executive level clientele. What's a girl to do? On the flip side, the rest of my life is moving in all the right directions. I have been considering having gastric bypass for about 8 years now and I finally decided it was the logical choice, the only choice if I wanted to live much longer. Luckily, I am at the borderline stage for most of the co-morbidities so health wise it could be worse. The biggest health factor that I am fighting is PCOS. I want children more than anything in the world, but between he infertility issue and the thought of being a mom who can't even play in the floor with her kids, it is out of the question until I am healthier. My boyfriend of 4 years proposed to me on Christmas morning and has been nothing but supportive of my choice to pursue gastric bypass surgery. We are going to wait until the fall of 2015 to get married so that I can look and feel fabulous in my own skin. I have never been more excited about anything in my entire life... He's my world and I'm a terribly lucky girl. I am so glad that I ran across this website and decided to join the community of WLS patients. It is so inspiring to read the stories and see the progress of everyone's hard work paying off. I have went through all of the preliminary testing and letter writing and general headache prior to insurance approval. My surgery center will be submitting to insurance his week and I hope to know something soon. I am hoping to have m surgery in March, no later than April. Please keep me in you thoughts and prayers that I will have smooth sailing through the approval process!