Frustrated and at a loss.

[cmaloney 151]

Very sorry for everything you're going through. You will be in my thoughts & prayers & I hope this issue gets resolved quickly. Please keep us updated...

[paigeelaine 5]

So sorry to read this. You've been through so much. Lets hope you'll feel better than ever soon. Keep us posted.

Thanks for your post. I'll be sure to update once I know something new.

[paigeelaine 5]

I'm so sorry about your complications. It sounds like pure misery and I hope that you'll have relief from all of this soon.

Perhaps cross posting this over in the complications forum will help more people see it. You aren't alone in having complications and I hope that someone out there that has overcome them can give you some reassurance and hope that this will pass for you' date=' too.

Best of luck and do keep us updated. Every bit of info out there helps people researching or struggling with a similar situation.

~Cheri[/quote']

Thank you for your post. I definitely hope my story will help someone. I'll update everyone again after my procedure on Tuesday. Thanks again

[paigeelaine 5]

Hi Paige' date='

I am so sorry to hear about your complication, it must have been very tough being in pain and not knowing why and where the pain is coming from. I am glad that they found the problem, and wish you well on the procedure. I will keep you in my prayer for speedy recovery. Thanks for sharing your experience because this information might be helpful to someone out there who is having the same issues. Get well soon and keep us posted.[/quote']

The pain just seems to be a symptom that some people get from gastropareisis. Right now we are just trying to manage the pain with Lortab. Though yesterday my GI doctor did mention that he might have to refer me to a pain management doctor if the pain continues. Thank you for the prayers. They mean a lot. I'll update once I know more.

[paigeelaine 5]

Very sorry for everything you're going through. You will be in my thoughts & prayers & I hope this issue gets resolved quickly. Please keep us updated...

Thank you for the prayers. They mean a lot and really do help.

[rosehips 121]

Your attitude is more than commendable, this is incredibly rough. You are a brave young woman, I am going to turn off my light & fall asleep praying for you too.

[CNote5000 0]

I have been trolling the forums for what seems like forever now' date=' and have now come to realize that it is time to tell my story. My name is Paige and I am 19 at 5'7". I started this journey in July at 262 lbs and am now at 219 lbs. 10 weeks post op.

Okay, here is a quick rundown of what has been going on. I'll try to keep it as short as possible (no promises). I was sleeved December 21, 2012. The surgery went smooth. I was in a bit of pain afterwards but that was to be expected. The first two weeks were a breeze for me. I was able to get all my Protein and fluids in while keeping my pain at bay. At two and a half weeks everything came to a screeching halt. I started having really bad pain in the upper left part of my abdomen and was vomiting up everything that I put in my mouth. I called my surgeon immediately and he ordered a CT scan with contrast (Jan 15). Everything came back normal. No leak and no infection. He gave me a prescription for more zofran and some reglan.

A week later I was still struggling to keep anything down. I went back to my surgeon and he ordered another barium swallow (Jan 28). This one was horrible. I was gagging the whole time and the consistency was just awful. It took a few days to get the results back, but once again everything came back normal. Then he referred me to a GI doctor.

I went and saw a GI doctor (Feb. 4) and he wanted to to a EGD ASAP to make sure that there wasn't a stricture. I had my EGD the following day (Feb 5). There was no stricture that he could see. He said that my esophagus and stomach were wide enough for a semi to go through. He also did a biopsy to check for H. Pylori. That came back negative.

After he talked with my mom he decided to order an ultrasound of my gallbladder and a HIDA scan. My mom had her gallbladder removed and when she was having attacks her pain was on her left side, so it was worth a shot. I had these test done (Feb. 13). But surprise, surprise, they were normal. At this point the doctors are at a loss, and I am beyond frustrated. They doctors are also worried about me becoming dehydrated. My GI doctor advised me that If I started to become lightheaded and that if I stopped peeing it was time to get to the hospital for fluids.

Sure enough the following Saturday (Feb. 16) I ended up in the hospital for 5 days. While I was in the hospital I had another barium swallow. This time we finally got answers! Turns out my stomach isn't emptying properly, gastroparesis. They explained it to me that since 80% of my stomach was removed the nerves have to re-grow to get the stomach muscle to work again. In some people it can take many months for the nerves to function properly. There is also a very small possibility that my stomach will never function the same again.

Also, the head of the bariatric department at the hospital looked over my surgery notes and all the tests I had done to make sure that the other doctors hadn't missed anything. He agreed with the diagnosis of gastroparesis and their treatment plan.

While I was in the hospital they started my on reglan, again, and dexilant. I started to see some results. I was actually able to keep down half a cup of yogurt. After I was released from the hospital I had a few good days. But on Tuesday the vomiting, pain, and constant nausea came back again.

I just got back home from seeing my GI doctor and surgeon. They both agreed that the next step in my treatment is to have a EGD done where they inject the valve where my stomach and small intestine meet with Botox. The Botox will help relax the valve so it isn't as tightly closed shut. This will hopefully help the flow of things. I'll have this done on Tuesday. I pray that this is the answer because my surgeon said that if this doesn't help then the next step is exploratory surgery to check for scar tissue or a twist in the stomach that the x-rays missed.

Now I'm Lortab to try and manage the pain. Dexilant to make sure that excess stomach acid isn't causing all the trouble. Phenergan for the nausea and vomiting. Reglan to try and jump start the motility of my stomach.

I'm just at a loss right now, and extremely discouraged. I know I should be thankful that it isn't a more serious complication, but I find it so hard to be positive. I have been in constant pain for the past 8 weeks. Not to mention the nausea and vomiting. Has anyone else had a similar experience?

Thanks for taking the time to read this,

Paige <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

Dear Paige. Your symptoms sound soooo much like my dtr. She has been hospitalized 7 times since her surgery in August. She was in the hospital 2 wks ago with dehydration and again now with Vomiting. She can keep a few ice chips down but that's all. Anything else's he vomits. Thank you for the info. I will snow her tomorrow. Maybe you two can chat a bit. We're in So. CA. Are you near? Terri I'm CNote5000 on here if you want to read her info.

[SassySenior 111]

How awful for you ... and how scary for us pre-ops! This is the first time I've read about the complications of a VSG. I am definitely gonna ask my Dr. about it.

Btw, my surgeon is Dr. David Provost of Denton, TX. He is considered the WLS guru in Texas, if not the entire Southwest. He is the one other doctors send their patients to when they run into a problem. He gets patients from all over the U.S. and abroad. He taught just about all the Dr's in this area how to do the surgery. In fact, he was a professor at Southwestern Medical School for many years. I would definitely contact him, certainly before surgery. He is well known for his work with WLS surgery problems. In fact, one lady was in very bad shape and he stepped in and fixed her at no cost because she couldn't pay.

I was referred to him because I am at high risk at 400 lbs, my age, 66, and co-morbidities. I've run across several doctors who refused to operate on me. Dr. Provost's name came up at virtually every Dr.'s office. Just wanted to let you know in case it helps.

Like everyone else, I will be thinking of you from now on, sending spiritual wishes that Tuesday's procedure is what you need. Hang tough, Honey! (((Hugs)))

[paigeelaine 5]

Your attitude is more than commendable' date=' this is incredibly rough. You are a brave young woman, I am going to turn off my light & fall asleep praying for you too.[/quote']

Thank you for the prayers. I'm very anxious for tomorrow. I have a good feeling though.

[paigeelaine 5]

Dear Paige. Your symptoms sound soooo much like my dtr. She has been hospitalized 7 times since her surgery in August. She was in the hospital 2 wks ago with dehydration and again now with Vomiting. She can keep a few ice chips down but that's all. Anything else's he vomits. Thank you for the info. I will snow her tomorrow. Maybe you two can chat a bit. We're in So. CA. Are you near? Terri I'm CNote5000 on here if you want to read her info.

I'm so sorry to hear about her complications. No fun. Hopefully you'll get answers soon. We can definitely chat sometime. I'm in Houston so that's a bit away. I did read your other post and I agree there are a lot of similarities. Good luck!

[paigeelaine 5]

How awful for you ... and how scary for us pre-ops! This is the first time I've read about the complications of a VSG. I am definitely gonna ask my Dr. about it.

Btw' date=' my surgeon is Dr. David Provost of Denton, TX. He is considered the WLS guru in Texas, if not the entire Southwest. He is the one other doctors send their patients to when they run into a problem. He gets patients from all over the U.S. and abroad. He taught just about all the Dr's in this area how to do the surgery. In fact, he was a professor at Southwestern Medical School for many years. I would definitely contact him, certainly before surgery. He is well known for his work with WLS surgery problems. In fact, one lady was in very bad shape and he stepped in and fixed her at no cost because she couldn't pay.

I was referred to him because I am at high risk at 400 lbs, my age, 66, and co-morbidities. I've run across several doctors who refused to operate on me. Dr. Provost's name came up at virtually every Dr.'s office. Just wanted to let you know in case it helps.

Like everyone else, I will be thinking of you from now on, sending spiritual wishes that Tuesday's procedure is what you need. Hang tough, Honey! (((Hugs)))[/quote']

Thanks for the info. I will definitely get another drs opinion if this procedure doesn't work. I will look into your doctor. From what I've read and have been told, this is an extremely rare complication. Most of the time it can be treated with meds, but my body just isn't responding to them like they should.

Thank you for the kind words and encouragement. Good luck in your journey!! May it be complication free!

[CNote5000 0]

Paige, hoping all goes wonderful today!!! Keep us posted

[LMFAO575 112]

Get well very soon!!

Sent from my iPhone using VST

[paigeelaine 5]

Waiting now to have my procedure done. Thank you everyone for the the thoughts and prayers. It truly means a lot to me. I'll let ya know how it goes.

[heytherespunky 13]

Best wishes on your procedure, Paige! I've been diabetic since I was 9 years old and years ago I had a problem with gastroparesis and I know it is so painful. Mine ended up going away with Meds and some time. (This was long before my VSG was done.) I hope yours heals up quickly. I'm sorry you have to go through it!