Complications...

[RubyTuesday 0]

Well, I've been gone for a while. Everything was going really well, then I hit a long stall. I stopped having bowel movements but once every couple of weeks, I developed random heartburn and pain in my chest. One night, I woke up with severe nausea, then the pain started. I thought I was having a heart attack. I rushed myself to the ER, and the doctor ignored me. I was in severe pain, and very dehydrated but he discharged me with a stomach virus, even though the pain I was having was not abdominal, but more in my sternum, and was burning not cramping. So, once discharged, and embarrassed, I walked over to the surgery clinic and they, God bless them, saw me right away. They did an abdominal series, blood work, and scoped me. The scope revealed what looked to be a hiatal hernia. So, I was admitted to the hospital and scheduled for surgery the next day. The next morning they performed a barium swallow and discovered that it was actually a pouch that formed off of my sleeve and was acting like a psuedo-stomach, collecting food and the like, but not digesting. My sleeve was virtually untouched. It's very rare, and as far as I know unheard of. So, I was operated on to remove the pouch.

I'm doing MUCH better, and the great news is I have a brand new and smaller sleeve. Yee ha! I'm down to 185, which makes me 65 lbs less. This pouch was my fault. It's very rare, but happened because I ate too fast. My surgeon does not tend to cut right next to the esophagus to avoid leaks, and the small portion of stomach there began to dialate and expand as I ate. It was 5cm big by the time they removed it.

Needless to say, it was an experience. But I still wouldn't trade my sleeve for the world. I'm just going to be really careful this time around.

-Ruby

P.S. For all who know me, my hubby is deployed, but I get to see him in 2 weeks for R&R. He hasn't seen me since the surgery!!!!!!:smile1:

[LAN2k 18]

Wow I am so glad that you were properly diagnosed and treated! The ER doctor deserves a kick in the arse. You sound so relived and in good spirits. It's great that you will see your husband soon and have lost a significant amount of weight. May I ask you how far out you are from your original surgery? I have a tendency (as of late) to eat too fast, I catch myself though and then slow it down. I'm 6 months out. Thanks for posting and continued success.

[Lee 19]

Hi Ruby,

I was wondering where you'd gone off to! I'm so happy to read that the problem is resolved. Keep us posted on how you're feeling please.

How exciting that you're going to see your DH. I bet he'll be delighted to see you!

[RubyTuesday 0]

Thanks gals! Lan- I'm about 5 months out. It's crazy- it feels like it's been so much longer! Nov. 2nd was the big day. Like I said, it is EXTREMELY rare. But it's always better to slow down. If there's pain- it's wrong. I got to the point where I was eating to pain. And now that my sleeve has been fixed, the only thing that can expand is the sleeve, or my esophagus. And the esophagus dialating is dangerous. I've decided I'm going to chew 25-30 times, and put my spoon down for 2 mins in between bites, until it's habit.

le sigh. But it's all worth it. :smile1:

[Tiffykins 673]

Awwwwwwwww Ruby, I had been wondering where you had been. I'm so sorry you had to endure all of that.

Woohoo for R&R, we need an update with details and pictures would be even better when you get a chance ! ! !

Take care of yourself, and let us know if you need anything.

[Kabranda 0]

Ruby - glad your problem was diagnosed and repaired. How very scary for you. Your experience will be a warning to us all to slow down. Happy to hear your hubby will soon have R&R. What a wonderful surprise you have for him. Keep us posted as you heal.

[tiaras 0]

Whoa ... that sounds scary! So glad you got sorted out. Good luck with your even smaller sleeve xx

[RubyTuesday 0]

Thank you for your support everyone! I was reluctant to share the story, because, to be honest- it's embarrassing. Everyone always tells you to slow down, etc., but I just couldn't. I think one of the hardest parts of all this, is that I have to start all over with the post op diet again. I'm back on mushies!

[RubyTuesday 0]

p.s. I'll post pictures soon!!