Cathynthesky82

I have a leak. I would like to know how other people deal with this problem. Being on TPN is so hard. I’ve been on TPN for 4 weeks now. I would like to know the average time most people have to be on TPN? I would love some responses.

How did your surgery go? Cathy

Thank you for the information. 😊

I just don’t want to make my doctor mad, until I’m better. I would be afraid she would continue to ignore me. I’m a chicken. I’m almost never outspoken. I know I need to be. My husband is really pissed at this doctor.

I talked to my insurance company, they suggested a second opinion. My current doctor is the head of bariatric surgery at BS&W hospital in Plano. So everyone there knows her. I have to go to a center of excellence, as per my insurance. All of the other doctors names they gave me know my doctor. This is a nightmare, especially right now during the holidays. I don’t want to gorge on anything, but I would love to taste some. I’m sick of knowing nothing. I just never get answers. Maybe I’m not asking the right questions. I really appreciate your input. It makes me believe I’m not crazy for being upset over this process. Thank You!

Thank you for the chart. 😊

I only ran about 100. When I called the doctors office about my fever, they told my it wasn’t high enough. I had a fever several days. I called the doctors even the on call doctors. My temp usual is 97.? So I alway run a low fever, so when I run 100, I feel really crummy. Once my shoulder starting hurting, I thought I was having a heart attack, I went to the emergency room. They did a cat scan and knew automatically it was my heart and that it was a leak. A leak is a nightmare. Well it has been for me.

Cubyblue6, I don’t know how you keep your sanity in the hospital. I went crazy while I was in there. You have had so many problems. What is a stent? And where does it go? Do they put you to sleep to put it in?

Call the doctor!! Are you running a fever? My stomach was also swollen where it was leaking into a pocket my body made. You don’t want to have to be on TPN, it’s miserable, especially during the holidays!😢

I am so sorry. It’s so frustrating. I went in to have a blue line check, where they go in the drain. I still had two places that were leaking into my stomach. The doctor that put my drain in told me it could be 6 to 8 months to heal. When he said that, my heart sank. I called my bariatric doctor, I was so upset. I asked her isn’t there some way to stitch up my stomach. She said she had not yet seen my drain test results. You have been going through this a lot longer than me. I’ve only been on TPN for 8 weeks. How have you held yourself together. Have you thought about talking to a lawyer? I know I have. Just wanted your thoughts.

Mary, Have you had a previous weight loss surgery, “lap band”? I had a lap band about 10 years ago, and had it removed about 2 years later. I think that could of had something to do with my leak. Had I known the procedures for a leak, I would never done the surgery. But I know it’s rare to get a leak. If you have big problems due to being overweight, I would not hesitate with surgery. I honestly should not have had surgery. I have sleep apnea and joint problems, otherwise I am healthy. Great blood pressure, no major issues. I’m just to vain. I was really unhappy about being overweight, but really I need to lose about 70 pounds. I don’t think that’s enough for surgery. I go back for a drain test this Wednesday. I feel sure I still have a leak because I have to much fluid coming out of my drain. I send prayers your way Mary. Please let me know how you do. Cathy

O My! I though I was bad. What is a stent and how does that work? Are they going to stitch your leak up? And do they wait for the inflammation to get better before doing surgery. Please stay in touch. I would like to know how your doing.

I had no idea I was allergic to the glue. Every incision was bright red. It took about two weeks of using hydrocortisone cream, before they got better.

Hi, Are you still on TPN? I am now on my fifth week of TPN. Today is a Thanksgiving. I’m most thankful that I’m still alive. I’m very tired of not being able to eat or drink anything. I wonder how long this can continue without me going crazy along with not being able to work. I would like a update on how your doing. Thanks Cathy

Hi again. Someone explained what TPN is. I am not in the hospital. They started TPN while I was in the hospital, but a home health professional came to my house to teach me how to hook it up every night. Once a week home health comes and changes dressing and takes blood. If I was in the hospital, I would really be going crazy. I had gastric sleeve surgery. I realized something was wrong about ten days after surgery. I thought I was having a heart attack. My left shoulder hurt really bad. Also my stomach was swollen. I was also allergic to the derma bond, the glue they use to stick the incisions together. I’m glad you are not having any issues. The best of luck to you.

TPN is nutrition. It’s a big bag of stuff that is hooked up by a IV line called a picc line, it’s in your upper arm. I hook mine up early evening, then sleep. It is a 14 hour drip. I had never heard of such a crazy thing. When you have a leak you can’t even drink water.

I had gastric sleeve on October 17, 2019. I didn’t know I had a leak for almost 2 weeks. Being on TPN feels so restrictive. I also have a drain on my left side. Saturday will be 4 weeks of TPN. I had a swallow test two days ago, and they said they saw no leak, which is hard to believe, because my drain still collects fluid, and because I take OTC sleep meds that are blue, and the drain has blue in it after I take one of those pills. I am actually hungry, it’s so hard to be around food. I never in knew how bad it could be. I would like to know how long most people are on TPN?