NurseRachel

Hi Everyone, I was banded 12/4/09....this was my first surgery ever(I am only 23 years old) and I must have a very low pain tolerance because after surgery I was in alot of pain and didnt move around a whole lot. A week after my surgery, I began to have a very hard time breathing and the worst pain ever in my abdomen. I called the doctor and was sent to the ER. Come to find out, I had massive blood clots in my lungs (Pulmonary Embolisms or PEs) I was sent to the ICU, put on heparin, coumadin, and a BiPap breathing machine. I was at the hospital 8 days. Never thought this is how my story would go. I have been home for two weeks and still have trouble with my breathing, which the Dr said is normal because they said my clots were massive and im lucky to be alive. I have to be off work 6-8 weeks. Even though I am almost a month post-op, I am still mainly on liquids because of my set back. I am starting some more foods like scrambled eggs and ground meat(very fine) Mostly I eat Soups or mashed potatoes. I measure 1/2 cup at a time and I eat slowly. I am having problems before I even finish my 1/2 cup. I have not have any fills yet!!! The Dr said the liquids should just be going right through the band. I start having intense pain around my band...I stop eating because the pain is so bad. I am just frustrated because I can barely eat anything. One day I can eat mashed potatoes and the next day I cant tolerate them at all. Anyone have any suggestions or anything that can help me?? One positive thing is that ive lost 32 pounds!!

My mom had blood clots when she was pregnant with me, but thats really it for a family history. They did a few tests in the hospital, but the hematologist said he couldnt do all the genetic testing until I was off coumadin because it affected the results. I have to be on coumadin for about 6 months. They stressed the importance of not having any more surgeries or getting pregnant right now until they have found the cause...so its just a waiting game right now. Thanks for your help!!!

Thanks for everyones replies, help and advice!!! ElfiePoo-I have quit eating mashed potatoes...for some reason they give me alot of trouble. I can eat turkey and not have any problems, so the mashed potatoes have me puzzled, but I figured id just quit eating them. CatLady-Please dont let my story scare you away from the surgery. I have a low pain tolerance...very low, so after surgery I was in alot of pain and I basically sat in the recliner for a week, which could have caused my blood clots. My doctor was also concerned that I might have an underlying blood disorder that causes my blood to clot easier because he didnt expect me to get such big clots a week later and only being 23 years old. I was told only about 1% of people have these kind of complications...very rare. When I got home, I was so mad at myself and I kept telling myself I shouldve never got this surgery and I couldnt be in this position. But Im getting better and my breathing is getting easier. I know in the long run, I will be alot healthier by having this surgery. I would have never lost the weight on my own and that can cause several severe health problems as well. This surgery is worth it even with all the problems Ive had. Good luck to you!!

Thanks for all the replies....but unfortunately there is NO saline in my band....the surgeon said he doesnt fill them in the OR. He said he doesnt start to fill it until 5-6 weeks after surgery. so my band is empty....guess thats not the problem! :/

Hey Everyone....This is my first post! trying to figure this whole site out! Heres my brief story: I am 23 years old. I am a registered nurse in a surgical ICU. I am working towards becoming a NP. I have been heavy most of my life, and finally going to get WLS. I am getting banded 12-4-09 and It seems like forever away!!! I start my pre-op diet Nov 24 and nervous about feeling SO hungry. I am not afraid of surgery, but I am nervous about getting food stuck afterwards....I have been reading posts from people and it has me TERRIFIED! Do you really have to chew your food for a really long time before you can swallow?? I am just looking for some advice and words of encouragement, and any tips you can give to get me through the liquid diet, surgery, and life after surgery! Thanks in advance!!:Yawn:

TNGIRL- I went to work the other day(I am a nurse in an ICU) and i was so excited I started telling a few people. And everyone there gave me negative responses....I felt horrible afterwards. I am so excited about WLS and they just brought me down. I am self pay also and people told me that it was a waste of money and I should be able to do it without surgery....others said I wasnt "fat enough" for WLS, and others said it was the easy way out...i heard it all, so I am trying to not tell anyone else at work, but im sure word will spread soon!! My family and friends are all very supportive so thats help me alot! good luck!!

Haha...we sure picked a bad time of the year to do the liquid diet!!! I will be on my pre-op liquids for thanksgiving, and then we have a huge christmas party December 12th, and ill be on my post-op liquids...Oh well, guess it will save me an extra 10 pounds id have to work off!! December 4th will be here before we know it!!!:Yawn:

OMG, that sounds like a starvation diet! LOL! Could u have as much as you wanted, or did you have to limit it?

KSLESSAR-we will have to stay in contact with eachother and see how everything is going with our preop diets and surgery!! Thats exciting we are getting banded the same day!!! Raquel42....Im sorry you are having such a rough time after surgery. What is it that is so hard? is the the food that you eat or the amount? Are you in pain? Just wondering whats so hard, so I can prepare myself!!!

Also wondering.....How many people told friends/family/coworkers that they were having WLS? I am SO excited and just want to tell EVERYONE, but I am worried about what people will say and I dont want them judging for me for having surgery, or trying to talk me out of it, but I am so happy about this, and I just want to announce it to the world! haha! Any opinions about who to tell or experiences uve had??

That is amazing! 50 pounds already!!!!! If you dont mind me asking, how much did u start out weighing? What kind of liquids did you drink??