Gallbladder Surgery...gone horribly wrong!

[Lissa 2,631]

I was scheduled to have my gallbladder removed (finally!) on December 18, 2012. I went into the OR for surgery around 2:30 pm... and woke up around 3pm gagging, feeling like I'd been run over by a train, convinced I was dying! Apparently, during intubation my heart rate galloped up to 180, dropped down to 40, ramped back up to 190, then plummeted back down to 60. At that point, my wonderful surgeon called off the gallbladder operation.

Instead of a smooth GB removal as an outpatient, I spent 4 days and 3 nights in the hospital. Wednesday, a heart specialist came in to tell me that my toponin (sp?) enzyme levels were fairly high for heart attack indicators. Scared the holy schmolly out of me! I had a heart catherization on Thursday to see what the extent of my heart damage from my heart attack would be. The cath shows that my arteries are clear and that I did not have a heart attack, but that my heart muscle is somewhat weak. The debate rages on among the specialists about whether that is because of my rapid weight loss or if it is a congenital weakness.

The current diagnosis is that I had a possible allergic reaction to the anesthetic OR my vagas nerve was touched during intubation OR I was super stressed at the time of surgery and just reacted badly all the way around.

I've also been told that I can have my gallbladder out as soon as my surgeon and I want to reschedule it. I am still in severe pain from the GB, but I think I'll be waiting a couple of weeks until I can wrap my head around going in for more surgery.

[Spatters3 315]

all I can say is EEEK ! Scary stuff. When I had my foot rebuilt they removed some bone from my pelvis for a graft and while doing that, they pressed on my vagas nerve and my heart stopped for 5 minutes. They thought they had lost me. I didn't have any side effects though, so I would think feeling as bad as you did, you probably had a bad reaction to the anesthesia.

[COnative 192]

Good Grief! I am sorry you had this happened to you!!! You would think it would be a breeze next to the sleeve but I guess not. Sending you good thoughts and hope you can still enjoy your holiday. All my best.

[Lissa 2,631]

Spatters, That makes me feel somewhat better, I think.

[MeMeMEEE 206]

oh my! definitely scary!! keep us updated and take care of yourself!

[doxieville 799]

Oh lissa!! That's so not good!!! You are such a motivation to many people here, me included. I am so sorry this happened to you. When i had my GB out 6 weeks after my WLS, I had a terrible reaction to the anesthesia. Ya know, either people are reporting it more or it's happening more often. It's not uncommon to have a reaction anymore, and that's kinda scary.

Have they given you any indication of what to do for a weak heart muscle? Exercise more? Less?

I am so glad you are ok. PLEASE let us know on here when you go back in for your GB removal. We are powerful in numbers and we will send prayers, positive thinking, good wishes and all that good stuff for a successful surgery.

[2013isit 19]

I am so sorry this has happened, Lissa! How scary. Please keep us updated on your progress. You have been such an inspiration on this board. I will keep you in my prayers.

[Territravel 217]

Prayers for quick recovery!

.

[Butterthebean 8,146]

Lisssa, didn't you say at one point in the past that you had your heart tested and everything was great? If I remember, weakening of the heart muscle due to weight loss was a concern but you passed with flying colors. Have they done anymore diagnostics on the heart? Will you be cleared for exercise again soon?

Sorry to hear all of this is happening now. Hope you feel better soon.

[Lissa 2,631]

Yes, Butter, I did have a test that indicated my heart was in great shape about 3 months ago. I'm waiting for my follow up appt to discuss that with the surgeon. But, I definitely need to have this gallbladder removed. It's got me on pain meds again today.

[JennyBeth 127]

I'm really sorry you went through that! That sounds extremely scary! Why is it that so many people end up getting their gall bladder removed following WLS? Is it a side affect due to being overweight for so long? Does the gall bladder removal affect the WLS?

[Butterthebean 8,146]

It's a side effect of losing alot of weight quickly.

[Snow 86]

Omg!! Tomorrow I'm going in for a abdominal ultrasound. I had surgery on July 11th 5 1/2 months ago. I've been having pain on my right side below my rib cage in front. Last couple of days the pain shifted to my right shoulder blade on my back. Excruciating pain. Called my Dr. On Christmas Eve and she said do not eat any fat. So.... I'm fasting at midnight for an early morning ultrasound.

If that's not enough. I'm freaking out from my husband. He's eating and eating and eating. I clean the dishes after Breakfast and he's hungry again. He actually SLURPED his Fettuccini Alfredo the other night. I was at the opposite end of the house and heard him. Omg!! Lord have mercy on this marriage.

I did Not make my Christmas goal. Two pounds away and I know why. I made fudge and ate it. I have post traumatic stress disorder and the shooting in Connecticut triggered it again. I'm Not sleeping. I'm totally freaking out. I've lost 67 pounds started at 217lbs I'm 5'2" and weight looks awful on me.

I started smoking again! Geeze! Transfer addiction? Yes! I'm in therapy and I'm struggling in every aspect of my life to exist everyday. Just waiting for the next disaster to pop up. Then I read this post.

[Territravel 217]

I guess it's pretty common. I went out of town to visit the family for Christmas, and on Christmas eve ended up in the hospital having my gallbladder removed. UUgghh! Not trying to hijack Lisa's thread, but anyone know how long before the nauseous goes away, and when I can work out again? I go to my local doctor on Friday.

[lessofmeismore 1,405]

Hope you start getting better soon, Lissa!

You're in my thoughts!!

*hugs*