Day 5 Post - Op - Struggling: Afib, Upset Stomach, Anxiety, and Scared.

[gabrielle2014 38]

Hi Everyone. I need some support. I had VSG surgery on December 16th. I have struggled quite a bit to get fluids and Protein in both in the hospital and since I've been home. I stayed in the hospital for 3 nights and came home on Friday. Friday night was rough and I went into AFIB (Atrial Fibrillation) on Friday night. I took my regular dose, called my cardiologist just to be safe, and by yesterday morning it was gone. Yesterday was a good day - I had very littled nausea, got in 48 ounces of Water and almost 50 grams of protein. I took a nap but when I got up later in the afternoon I felt VERY ill. Very sick to my stomach. My afib started again last night.

Now I have it full-force along with alot of anxiety. My cardilogist says only come in at a certain point - I haven't called my bariatric surgeon yet. But I'm very upset stomach and very out of breath and dizzy (I know this is afib since I've had it for several years). I don't have a fever or any signs that it is anything other than afib.

I'm just confused about this - if I'm having a more difficult time than I should be because of the afib? If it is casuing my stomach to be more upset than it normally would. If it is causing all this anxiety?

Very down and scared about this.

[James Marusek 5,244]

I can't really speak about AFIB, so it may be something that you need to speak with a specialist about.

After surgery, you body can change. I had RNY and immediately after surgery I became lactose intolerant. Since some of recommended Protein supplements included milk or products that have lactose (such as some Protein shakes), it became an issue. Every time I tried to drink some milk, moments later my stomach became upset and I quickly developed diarrhea. After a few months, the problem went away and I was back to normal.

[parisshel 1,892]

I'm sorry you are experiencing this and I know it must be scary.

I never had afib until now, almost two years post op. I have a lapband. I don't know if there is any correlation between VSG surgery and afib but I'm sure you discussed this with your team prior to having your WLS.

If I were in your situation, I would ask to be seen immediately because of the risk of clotting when your heart is in afib. There is already an increased risk for a blood clot with WLS (are you on blood thinners?) and if you remain in arrythmia, your risk to throw a clot increases.

So while if you were "just" in arrythmia, I might not be as concerned, but as you have recently gone through WLS and these immediate days post op are critical, my sense is that you should be seen. I would think it would be important that they get your heart rhythm back to sinus asap, just to decrease the chance of throwing a clot.

Please let us know how you are doing, and I wish the a speedy recovery with no additional complications.

[jaxson5 37]

Please go to the hospital. There is afib and afib with a rapid rate, which is very dangerous.

[jaxson5 37]

Please go to the hospital. There is afib and afib with a rapid rate, which is very dangerous.

[gabrielle2014 38]

Thanks everyone. I have a very strict protocol with my afib and at the time was following my instructions from my cardiologist. However, when I did go to the ER (which was the ER where my surgery was done not where my cardiologist is - long story) my situtation got much worse and I had a mild or small heart attack.

The last two days has been devastating for me. I'm so down and depressed. I wanted to do this surgery to get healthy and while I know that my surgery and my heart attack are related only in that the stress from the surgery triggered my attack, I'm full of anger and blame at myself tonight.

To make matters worse - I still can't drink Water or get any Protein in.

[jaxson5 37]

I'm so glad to hear that you are doing okay.

[parisshel 1,892]

@gabrielle2014. I'm sorry to read this and I understand exactly how you feel. Exactly. I am also feeling very depressed and questioning why I had lapband surgery, which I choose voluntarily thinking this was going to protect me from future health issues, especially my heart.

And now, because of my choice, I have to stay on beta blockers with all their unpleasant side effects, for the rest of my life.

So I totally get what you are feeling right now. It sucks. It really does.

[jaxson5 37]

How did the Lapband cause you to be on beta blockers for life

[parisshel 1,892]

@jaxson5: My lapband has affected my vagus nerve. One of the functions of the vagus nerve is heart rhythm (as well as digestion). I developed both an accelerated heartbeat (150 bpm) and afib last month. Ended up in the ER (but not soon enough....I waited four days before finally my BF insisted I go to the hospital. Thank god he did....I was one breath away from stroking out.) The team first brought down my heart rate (it took seven hours) but the afib persisted until I got on the "right" beta blocker. Now I'm on them for life...it is the only thing keeping my heartbeat in sinus rhythm. Unfortunately, removal of the band will not solve the problem as I was in arrythmia for too long and now the electricity of my heart is screwed up.

[jaxson5 37]

Did they try a cardioversion

[parisshel 1,892]

They did a chemical cadioversion as I had been in arrythmia too ong for the electroshock cardioversion. Electroshock is the protocol if one arrives at the hospital having been in arrythmia for only a few hours. I was in afib + accelerated heartbeat from Friday to Tuesday. (I was really an idiot not to go to the hospital right away, I know.)

[jaxson5 37]

I'm sorry to hear that, I'm a cardiac nurse, and sustained rapid heartbeats are dangerous even if they originate from the sinus node

[Djmohr 6,965]

My husband who turned 55 today suffered from Afib for about 3 years before he saw a new cardiologist. In March the cardiologist told him there is a surgical cure for AFIB. In March he had cardiac ablation. It worked and he is AFIB free and off all of those meds. When we go on vacation, he takes a prescription of zaralto and Fleckinide just as a precaution. If he were to have AFIB he would take these meds until we came back home. He has not had any episodes.

For several years he was told he would just have to take drugs for the rest of his life. That is not true.

The only thing he takes now is an aspirin.

[jaxson5 37]

Awesome