terrible shoulder pain NOT GAS BUT INFECTION..

kizzie · July 15, 2008

I posted this two weeks ago in my June 2008 support group. Thought it should go here too. Hope it is helpful to some.

Yesterday I posted that I had developed pain under my lower shoulder and in my back. I was told repeatedly (or ADVISED !?) by another bandster that it is "ONLY GAS, WHY AREN'T PEOPLE TOLD ABOUT THIS".

I hadn't suffered any 'gas' pain from the surgery since the first day. I was very lucky with that. So when this pain started to build up slowly from day 12 I thought I may have been coming down with a flu or kidney infection.

I am two weeks post op with NO previous 'gas' pains from the surgery. I had severe chills and felt rotten and aching. I went to the hospital to have my stitches removed as scheduled. By the time I got there my temp was 39C/102F.. My surgeon was on holiday but I was seen by his superior who did an ultra sound and cat scan. He found liquid in in the diaphragm/stomach region. They admitted me straight away and put me on intravenous antibiotics and paracetamol. The liquids is undetermined. Either haematoma, abscess or 'liquid'... further investigation is going to take place if it doesn't subside.

I honestly felt like I was dying last night. The pain in my back was horrendous. I could hardly move. I didn't sleep even with a sleep aid. Worst night of my surgery so far.

This morning, my fever had subsided. My surgeon came in from his vacation to check me over himself. He said my band is perfect and that 'sometimes' these complications can arise. He said it was also very lucky I got myself to the hospital when I did. I had actually thought I may have just picked up a bug from the children I teach.

I have to monitor my temperature closely and my pulse. Pulse is still fast but fever is down so am improving.

Just a bit of advice. Really listen to your body. This site is for ADVICE only but the best person to tell you if all is ok is your doctor.

I am home now with a cocktail of drugs. I also have breathing physio to do as well to strengthen my diaphragm. I have the rest of the week off of work 'doctors orders' so will rest and take it easy.

OH was my first day on mushies yesterday! I MISSED IT!.. so I had some pureed mashed potatoes today. YUM. made me feel a lot better.

thanks to those for their support yesterday.

Kizzie

UPDATE: LIQUID WAS ABSORBED BY MY BODY.. AND INFECTION CLEARED WITHIN 10 DAYS. AM DOING GOOD NOW.. (EVEN THOUGH HAD PORT REPOSITIONED LAST NIGHT AS SURGEON FOUND IT HAD FLIPPED 180 DEGREES WHEN I WENT FOR MY FIRST FILL!!)

______

kizzie · July 15, 2008

Good to hear you are recovering. And great point, that the only way to properly monitor unusual symptoms is by a live physical examination.
Chills and fever alternating along with pain is a very good indicator to head for ER.

Did they figure out why/how the port flipped?

Hello Jack

You are quite right about the chills. I didn't actually get them until an hour before my stitches removal appointment. I did have the pain for a few days prior to that. Thankfully for me, my fever increased once I was in the hospital, so they saw when I was having my stitches out my infection progressing.

Not sure why my port flipped. I personally think it was because of my large chest and the wire from my bra pushing into the port before it had a chance to heal into the muscle. I had terrible pain with it up to the two weeks mark. It was at its worst at the end of the first week.

As I said, my doctor has a great success rate and hasn't needed to do a port reposition or have a port flip in all the years he has been a surgeon. I must ask him if he has had anyone with size 38HH boobs before though!..

Am doing well, in quite a bit of pain again.. but bearable as I know where this is going now!.. Weight loss here i come!

Kizzie