Complications following surgery

[joego2014 14]

Well I was able to get the vertical gastric sleeve done on May 6, 2015 and had a hernia repair at the same time. The only problem I had was that I didn't wake up following surgery until a month and a half later. Apparently following the surgery, which my doctor said went well, they could not bring me out from the anesthesia. During this time my family tells me hey lost me on the table but were able to resuscitate me. When they tried to re-intubate me I apparently aspirated into both lungs developing double pneumonia, sepsis, ARDS, and a plethora of other health problems. I was stabilized and taken to ICU where about 2 weeks later I had a tracheostomy tube inserted into my trachea to allow them to better manage my respiratory status as well as suction the secretions coming from my lungs. I was also kept under induced coma by the doctors for this month and half with TPN feeding, IV's infusing, being placed on a ventilator. From what my family tells me the doctors gave me little chance to survive as I was in very critical condition during this time. There was also talks of placing my on dialysis as my kidneys were shutting down because of all the medications being given to me to try to help me. At one point blood was even coming out of my catheter and draining into bag. When I was allowed to wake up I found myself bewildered as to what had happened. was unable to talk because of the trach. When I tried to move I was unable to lift my right arm or both legs as the muscles had atrophied during the month and half of being comatose. I spent another 3 weeks in the hospital then was transferred to a sub acute rehab center where I would spend a little over a month learning how to walk, dress, bathe, and feed myself. The trach was finally removed this past Monday and I was discharged home on Wednesday. I am able to walk for short distances but I do still get winded and fatigued. I also have some difficulty coughing up phlegm as my cough is still weak. Probably a residual from the trach but pray this will resolve it self in time. I start out patient physical therapy tomorrow and hope I can walk as before and with I feel more secure and stable. Since the surgery I have lost 60 lbs in these past 3 months and continue to lose about 5-8 lbs a week. I continue to eat very little food and fill up quickly. I am still trying to get all my Protein in as well as all my Water and liquids.

[wingsguy99 7]

Hey JoeGo2014! Thank God that you're still with us, man! When I clicked on your posting, I certainly was not expecting to hear about the unbelievable and unfortunate situation that you found yourself in when you awoke from your procedure/surgery! I'm not big on replying here, and I'm a newbie myself (sleeve gastrectomy June 29, 2015). I just wanted to reach out to you to say "Hang in there, man!" It sounds like you've held on and turned the corner and are finally able to start the road to recovery and better health. I've lost a little over 40 lbs. since the day of my surgery, and thankfully I have not had any of the difficulty that you've been made to endure. The good thing is that you made it through, and although the journey will be more difficult for you, you've got friends out here that are going to help you through anything that you feel you need help with. For me, I mostly just need the daily reminders that there are people out there having great success with this process, and folks who have had it a LOT tougher than I do. I just thank God that I made the decision to do this, and found this forum.

I'm looking forward to hearing your progress updates, as I'm happy to share mine with you as well. I'm 49, 5'6", and my starting weight was just under 400 lbs. I passed the 300 lb. milestone last Tuesday morning (YESSSS!!!), and feel pretty good. Feel free to contact me if you wish.

Good luck, and take care. We're all pulling for you, JoeGo2014!

Regards, Steve

Edited August 10, 2015 by wingsguy99

[wingsguy99 7]

Hey joego2014, it's me again...

I was wondering if they have been able to tell you why they could not bring you out of the anesthesia after the surgery... Was it due to an allegic reaction to the drugs they used to put you under? Was there some other underlying (or hidden) health issue that caused your body to not want to "wake up" afterwards?

I'm curious because I have lost two friends in a similar manner in which they had pretty basic surgeries, but due to complications resulting from the anesthesia, or the process itself, they just never came back after being put under.

I'm really glad that you made it through, sir! And if it's too private, no worries. Like I said, I'm just wondering due to it being very similar to what happened to a couple good friends that did not make it back.

Cheers!

Steve

[jane13 2,256]

@@joego2014 - God was looking out for you no doubt! Thank God you are here to post!

I think it is great that you were able to post without being extremely negative about the WLS. I am sure there are a lot off pre-ops freaking out reading this. I was also sleeved the same day! I had NO ISSUES at all. I am down 70lbs today from my HW.

please keep us posted on your progress and welcome to the losers bench!

[_Kate_ 2,224]

I am so glad you are around and still focused on looking towards the future and being healthy. I can't read any bitterness in your post, just cold hard facts and that in itself is remarkable. You seem an amazing person, strong, factual and driven. Good Luck and please continue posting so we can follow your journey with you.

~ Gentle Hugs~

Kate

[RJ'S/beginning 5,358]

I too had a similar experience as you in some ways. I went septic after 3 days of surgery and was put in an induced coma for 19 days. Like you I had to learn everything again.

It was trying and they gave me little to no hope of recovering. It is almost 3 years now and I have reached goal and am maintaining.

I too have a lovely Trachea scar to remind me of the coma.

I was able like you to look forward and remember why I did it.

So happy you are with us!

Please if you need to talk just message me! Remember that 50 % of the healing process is attitude. The other is hard work.

Sending well wishes your way!

[amazon 579]

So happy you are still here <insert big hug here>

[joego2014 14]

I just want to thank everyone for their kind words and good wishes. From my understanding it was just something that just happened and was not attributed to any allergic reaction to anesthesia or other medical condition. Besides the complication following surgery and everything I have endured, I would get the surgery again. In just this short amount of time since the surgery with the weight I have lost I am feeling much better health wise. My knees do not bother me as much as they did before, the sleep apnea I had has diminished and my snoring has decreased tremendously. I have gone down almost 2 sizes in clothes going from a snug 5X to almost a size 3X. Don't let my story frighten anyone reading this from going ahead with WLS if this is what you want. It has helped me lose weight and become healthier. Any surgery comes with risks but also living at a weight of 450 lbs.

[Cutepretty1 121]

Keeping you lifted up in prayers!!!