Post-op complications

[thenewandbestme 81]

I was sleeved on 11/11/15. And I have had so many complications, too many to name. But now I think it because I started helping out a friend's restaurant a day before Thanksgiving and Thanksgiving day was the first day of my pureed diet stage. I may have switched to soon or something. Because I never quite achieved my Fluid intake prior to switching over to pureed.< /p>

And I'm waking up every 2-3 hours each night because of heartburn, indigestion and of course the #1 biggy the dreaded, Acid reflux, which I might add, that I have never had before!

And so I had to leave work early today because I was so sleepy and ever since this morning I have felt like there was a big knot of pureed chicken stuck in my chest/esophagus all day.

So having a feeling it wasn't going to go away on its own, I took a laxative this morning at work. Finally got some relief about 5pm today still the iky indigestion feeling in my chest, and still don't feel like I could eat or drink anything. Really kinda scared to. And I been sleeping since I got home from work. From about 2pm to 7pm. So I guess that's good. I slept past the 3hr mark. But will I be able to sleep tonight?

Oh well, those are my gripes for the day.

Help!

Please tell me someone else has successfully conquered this and tell me how! Please!

[2goldengirl 2,076]

I'm sorry you've been so uncomfortable. It does sound as though you've tried to jump back into a lot of activity very soon after surgery. Your body needs time to heal.

I'd caution you against calling things like indigestion, Constipation, or reflux "complications". They are uncomfortable, annoying, and, at times, scary. But complications as generally understood are things like postop bleeding, a leak in your staple line, pneumonia, blood clots, severe dehydration - the kinds of things that make you end up back in the hospital.

You're sleepy because you need rest! You had major abdominal surgery. Just because you have a few bandaids instead of a like of staples down your abdomen doesn't make it any less hard on your body. Take small bites, sip your liquids, and rest when you're tired. Good luck!

[Babbs 14,681]

Everything you're going through is utterly and completely normal. I had GERD so bad the first 6 weeks I was kept on liquids. I didn't eat solids for 6 weeks straight.

Yes, you're going to be tired (you just had major surgery) Yes, you're going to have some reflux (85% of your stomach is gone). Yes you're going to have pooping issues (pain meds, new diet, major surgery). Hang in there and be kind to yourself. Rest. Drink your Water and liquids. These things take time. Be patient.

[liannatx 897]

Are you taking a PPI for the heartburn?

Most doctors prescribe one for the first few months, but if not Prilosec or Zantac are readily available OTC and will relieve the heartburn and reflux. A laxative may help with other issues, but it wont relieve the acid production in your tummy. If you are having acid production problems you should contact your doctors office and get the okay to take a PPI... or increase the dose if you are taking one and it isn't working.

Hang in there, this will all pass super fast and be a distant memory!

[thenewandbestme 81]

I'm sorry you've been so uncomfortable. It does sound as though you've tried to jump back into a lot of activity very soon after surgery. Your body needs time to heal.

I'd caution you against calling things like indigestion, Constipation, or reflux "complications". They are uncomfortable, annoying, and, at times, scary. But complications as generally understood are things like postop bleeding, a leak in your staple line, pneumonia, blood clots, severe dehydration - the kinds of things that make you end up back in the hospital.

You're sleepy because you need rest! You had major abdominal surgery. Just because you have a few bandaids instead of a like of staples down your abdomen doesn't make it any less hard on your body. Take small bites, sip your liquids, and rest when you're tired. Good luck!

Thanks, I think you're right. I'm gonna let up on the activity. I do think I tried to jump back into things too quickly and and if I just give myself more time to rest and heal, I'll feel better.

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Everything you're going through is utterly and completely normal. I had GERD so bad the first 6 weeks I was kept on liquids. I didn't eat solids for 6 weeks straight.

Yes, you're going to be tired (you just had major surgery) Yes, you're going to have some reflux (85% of your stomach is gone). Yes you're going to have pooping issues (pain meds, new diet, major surgery). Hang in there and be kind to yourself. Rest. Drink your Water and liquids. These things take time. Be patient.

Thanks, sounds like good advice .

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[thenewandbestme 81]

Are you taking a PPI for the heartburn?

Most doctors prescribe one for the first few months, but if not Prilosec or Zantac are readily available OTC and will relieve the heartburn and reflux. A laxative may help with other issues, but it wont relieve the acid production in your tummy. If you are having acid production problems you should contact your doctors office and get the okay to take a PPI... or increase the dose if you are taking one and it isn't working.

Hang in there, this will all pass super fast and be a distant memory!

Yes, I'm on Prevacid and Carafate liquid 30mins before meals. My first post op visit was day before Thanksgiving and she added the Carafate then. The Prevacid or Prilosec after surgery.

And I even add a Zantac in between if I feel I need it.

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