Back in Hospital 8 days post-op

[KimmieJean 0]

Well, I got the lap band and now I'm regretting it! Wednesday an ambulance had to be called out to the house because I couldn't keep anything down. At first if was just the Protein stuff but by Wed...nothing would stay down. I couldn't stand up straight and was completely miserable. My husband brought me in the laptop today so I could find some help because I'm not getting it here. Today was the first day that I was allowed to eat anything because I was severely dehydrated and now have a kidney infection. All I have eaten today is less than 2 oz of chicken broth and I feel like a rock is stuck in my stomach. I ate the two oz around 1 and it is now 8 pm. I'm burping and farting like crazy, have the runs and feel terrible. I haven't seen my nurse since she came in around lunch time to say..."Just don't eat anymore and you will be fine." 7 hours later....still feel the same. Any advice??? :cool2:

[SummerAgain 0]

Wondering if maybe u have the stomach flu?

Otherwise, what is your surgeon saying?

[KimmieJean 0]

He's not saying much because he hardly ever comes around. But I've decided that when he stops in tomorrow morning, I'm going to stop him and make him listen and hopefully figure this out. They did decide today that they want samples so they can test for other stuff. (That wasn't my surgeon, that was a doctor who happened to be in the building and stopped by just to see how I was.) Thanks for your input...I was beginning to feel alone in this mess! :cool2:

[KimmieJean 0]

It's now 1 in the morning and I still feel bad....has anyone else had this problem??:biggrin:

[Headhunter 6]

Hi, Kimmie;

Sorry you're having problems.

I wouldn't rule out the possibility that there is something else going on here, such as the flu or something, and it is aggravating the trauma from your surgery.

However, if your Surgeon is NOT stepping in here and checking it all out, then you need to scream very, very LOUD and get his attention. Regardless of WHAT the problem is, he NEEDS to be very, very involved in this. If he does not give you the proper attention, do NOT hesitate to make a very big fuss about it.

Call the Hospital Administration and Complain.

Use the magic word: lawsuit.

You don't want to mess around with this. Surgeons are not "Gods". he is your EMPLOYEE. You HIRED him to do a job, and he isn't doing it. you need a resolution to this quickly.

Again, don't be shy about this. DEMAND that your surgeon get his rarified a** INTO your room, and figure this out.

Keep us posted on this....this is a type of situation that NONE of us want to happen to ANY of us.

HH

[Padanelle 2]

Hi Kimmie,

You really need to gat a hold of your surgeon. He may have the answer to what is wrong. Hopefully it will be something simple. At least you are in the hospital where thy can monitor you. Best wishes for a speedy remedy * recovery.

[KimmieJean 0]

My surgeon stopped by this morning and pretty much he has no idea what is going on. He says Monday he will put me under and go down my throat and check things out. He says he does this often with gastric bypass patients but I'm the first with the lap band. What a long weekend this will be!

[KimmieJean 0]

Update from the hospital...they brought me in some Juven and so far so good. I'm actually keeping it down!! :biggrin:

Edited July 25, 2009 by KimmieJean

[Cleo's Mom 257]

From your band date I assume you have had no fills yet. You should also ask for a barium swallow. Sometimes the endoscopy doesn't show everything. And I agree with Headhunter. You need to get the care your deserve and if you don't - then make demands. Being dehydrated and having a kidney infection are serious conditions. Make sure you document everything that has happened to you before and after you came to the hospital. How often doctors saw you, what they said. If that is too much for you, have your husband document it. Ask for names, what kind of doctor they are, etc.. Document all tests and this is very important: GET COPIES OF ALL YOUR TEST RESULTS - this includes your operative report, and all pre surgical tests. Good luck to you. I hope you feel better.

[Headhunter 6]

Yes, Cleo's Mom gives great advice here.

DOCUMENT EVERYTHING. Take names, times, dates, EVERYTHING...

And you know what? you need to make it OBVIOUS that you are documenting it all. Make sure they SEE everything being written down,...ask a lot of questions, and write the answers down in FRONT of them.

The reason for this is that when they SEE it, they will KNOW you mean business. You might be AMAZED at the changes in their level of service when they become aware that they are under the microscope.

They are afraid of lawsuits...even if you have no intention of ever suing them, act like you might. It works wonders, it has for me.

Sometimes, you HAVE to act a little drastically to get what you need. It's a shame, but often that is what it takes.

HH

[june2010 0]

Did they do the endoscope today? How are you feeling? Sounds like you were keeping some fluids down, are you still in the hospital?

[heartfire 4]

No update? Was hoping you'd have some answers by now. Prayers that things are getting taken care of and you come out of this okay!

[isaviolinist 11]

I agree with writing everything down and making sure that they see. Many surgeons think they are too good to give patients the time of day. I never hesitate to let someone know that "I wouldn't want the issue to become a legal matter". That generally does the trick, but if not, I have had my lawyer send people "official" letters on his letterhead a couple of times. That always gets their attention (but usually just dropping the word "legal" does it).

Give us an update on the situation when you feel up to it.

[KimmieJean 0]

Hey there....sorry it has taken me so long to update. I got to come home finally last night. Monday morning I went in for the EGD and the doc said for some reason where my band was, the hole was not even as big as my pinkie. He said he stretched it out (not sure how exactly) and now it is as big as his thumb. Finally, last night around 5 he came to my room to check on me and said I could go home. I have to stay on the liquid diet another week and then switch to mushie for 4 weeks. Since I've been home.....so far so good (knock on wood). I went back to work today and that was kinda weird. Being gassy at home or in the hospital is one thing but in public...it's a little embarrassing. :juggle: I don't know about the rest of you but I am TIRED!! Those of you that are 4-6 weeks out....does this get easier???? Thanks for listening!

[Headhunter 6]

Hi, Kimmie;

Glad to see that you are better, and at home.

yes, it DOES get better. You may be surprised at how fast you begin to feel "normal" again. But, you've been through a rough time, so you might have a little longer recovery period than you might normally have had.

Take it easy, and rest as much as you can, balanced with some reasonable physical activity, and you be fine before you know it.

HH :juggle: