Problems - can you help?

[cd2851492 14]

Today is the day I had my surgery 4 weeks ago (1/5/14). I have three issues, perhaps you veterans may be able to help me?

Problem #1: Since then - I cannot get liquids in. I have a hard time getting anything in. It's painful, and I feel like there is a lump or obstruction in the back of my shoulders - centered, not in shoulders as the gas was at first, and it's all about eating/drinking. So far, I found out that you can throw up even if you haven't eaten anything but three or four spoonfuls. This feeling also tells me that I will throw up if I take even one more spoonful, and I have, which is scary and terrible since this. (3 times throwing up is almost my lifetime of throwing up, so it's weird for me.) I cannot get the suggested food in, it's viscously painful and leaves me in terrible shape for over a half hour sometimes. So - recap: not able to drink more than 24 oz. daily, and nowhere near the food suggested.

Problem #2: I have no energy. None. I mean, I have a hard time getting out of bed, and doing anything more than sitting on the couch. I only have three kids at home now, but still - three is enough for destruction, trust me. I have been swamped in laundry, the floors look like I blew up my cat and dogs, and I'm really not sure you'll stay disease-free in this house anymore. I bought the B-12 shots have sub-lingual B-12, still - to no energy. Has anyone else had this?

Problem #3: This is the most dangerous, but I now am under the care of a wound care specialist. All my surgical openings are - open. They're deep, and ghastly looking. The nurses at the hotel in TJ for Jerusalem Hospital knew, they got really nervous, then called in a superior, he came in - after rapid-fire Spanish discussion - he said, no it's fine, just go home. Don't worry. Behind him, the other two nurses were looking like they didn't agree, and motioned so. Not the most pleasant way to go home all the way to the east coast. Now - I have deep, deep open wounds, they're going to be disgustingly large and will never heal in any way other than Frankenstein. I see the would care specialist every three days, and they're still debating cutting them all open and re-stitching them for five new scars, I suppose lesser than the big open pits - but no consensus on that. At least I'm under medical care. So much for not telling anyone.

Can anyone help?

Thanks!!!!

[Teachamy 1,042]

OMG! Find a bariatric surgeon and see him/her immediately! You are in dangerous territory. If your incisions are wide open, God knows what is happening inside you. This is very scary! You need to get nutrients/fluids in, or you will end up in the hospital and very sick.

Please err on the side of caution here. This is scary!

[Indigo1991 1,612]

Can't help with wounds - poor you, that sounds awful - but problems and 1 and 2 are likely to be linked.

If you aren't keeping anything down, you will have no energy and won't be able to do anything. No idea how old the kids are - can you get them to do anything to help? That aside, a little dirt never did anyone any harm

Problem 1 needs attention. By week 4, you might expect to be getting a little in and keeping it down. Have you been checked by your PCP?

Otherwise, are you actually trying to get too much in? The sensations you describe sound how I felt In the early days when I tried to eat more than I should- took me a few weeks to get the hang of how little I should be eating. Are you still on purée - perhaps you need to go back a stage to give your stomach a bit longer to recover? Do you chew everything to death, until it is a liquid in your mouth? Perhaps you need to eat little and more often?

Sorry if you have tried all these things but they are the usual starting points to try to sort the problem. But if you have tried and you are still in pain eating and still throwing up, you need to see a doc and get a medical opinion.

Good luck, let us know how you get on....

[capecoralgrandma 44]

I also would get to a bariatric surgeon with the open wounds. My incisions were closed by the surgeon using surgical glue and I had no problems with. In the beginning, I was only able to get down one tablespoon of whatever soft food I was eating so maybe just cut back. As for the lack of energy, I also felt that way the first few weeks...I believe it's because of the lack of carbs in our diet. Try to get your Protein in, that might help with the energy too. Best of luck, it will get better.

Betty

[Sassy Pants1 186]

I agree with the above posters. The wound issue is not normal and very troubling at 4 weeks post-op. Mine were completely closed shortly after the staples came out.

You should be able to drink fairly easily by now. I also agree that issues 1 and 2 are linked. You might want to find out if you have a stricture. My understanding is that it can be resolved quite easily with the EGD.

Good luck and please keep us updated on your progress.

[jallsop 39]

wow, I am so sorry to hear all that you are going through. I am still pre-op so I can't speak from experience personally but what I can speak to is my experience as a RN. Have they tested you for a leak? I know that people can present with different symptoms in regards to a leak and it is not always 'text book'. Also, and I'm sure you know this already, but you are most likely not getting in the adequate nutrients in order to heal properly and therefore your energy is minimal and your wounds can't heal. I am very concerned for you. Do you have support of your local PCP? Can they refer you to local general surgeon for consult?

[LindafromFlorida 1,542]

Please get medical help immediately!

[BKLYNgal87 503]

Uhm... you are being looked after by a wound care specialist right now and they haven't admitted you to a hospital for any procedures yet (ie: repair, infection prevention, etc)? And you have gaping open wounds? You need to start advocating for yourself. They either come up with a plan now or you need to find a new doctor quickly. Please keep us updated.

Edited February 3, 2014 by BKLYNgal87

[NORCALRN 60]

I was at jp 2012 and saw the same thing on a woman that had to fly back from I think Alabama d/t her insurance not wanting to touch her. She had massive infections and had wet-dry dressing changes without pre medications. she was there for weeks. and this was her 2nd time there- for a mommy makeover. It was awful and i am a nurse and was appalled at their lack of taking this seriously. I hope you get some support and let them know what happened. They ignored my calls, as "we" are to call them first prior to going to the R. I have had extensive complications and still do. Please advocate for yourself. I know you can get through this!!!

[LindafromFlorida 1,542]

I was at jp 2012 and saw the same thing on a woman that had to fly back from I think Alabama d/t her insurance not wanting to touch her. She had massive infections and had wet-dry dressing changes without pre medications. she was there for weeks. and this was her 2nd time there- for a mommy makeover. It was awful and i am a nurse and was appalled at their lack of taking this seriously. I hope you get some support and let them know what happened. They ignored my calls, as "we" are to call them first prior to going to the R. I have had extensive complications and still do. Please advocate for yourself. I know you can get through this!!!

Thank you for sharing your story as others may read before jumping off that cliff. I hope you are doing better!

[andreamy7 55]

Did you rest and stay down for most of the days when you first came home? I did not leave the couch and the Dr left my butterfly bandaids over the top of the incisions and I didn't move much for the first 5-6 days. They closed up well I am 2 months post op. Get a second opinion and go see your General practitioner like tomm. You need to give your body the rest it needs to get better.

I could not get all the Fluid and Protein in, I think I still don't get everything I should in, but your stomach is tiny.

Go see your personal Dr, share your concern. Avoid any activity, have a friend come over and do some cleaning/housework for you.