RNY over 4 years ago and almost died recently! - ThinnerTimes

macrobin · 02-12-2006, 03:39 PM

Hey everyone!

I've only posted here once, but I wanted to share with you what happened to me a couple of weeks ago. I was sitting at the computer when a horrible abdominal pain came over me and wouldn't leave. I waited 5 hours and the pain only got worse. My husband rushed me to the local ER and by that time I knew I was dying. I don't know how I knew that but I felt things shutting down in my body. I screamed the whole time I was there until they gave me something to sedate me. They tested me with a CT scan and many x-rays and blood work. The tests revealed I had two things wrong. One was pancreatitis which was caused by the main problem - a bowel obstruction!
I had heard many horror stories about them and how scary it is when you have them. I remember one guy almost died from it. All I know is it is the most PAINFUL thing I've ever been through. They wouldn't let me eat or drink for 7 days straight and I kept dry heaving the whole time. Finally the general surgeon told me that if I didn't have emergency surgery I would die. So, I went under the knife again and he removed over 6 liters of fluid (a gallon and a half) from my abdomen. When I came to, he had put an NG tube in my nose (BIG NO NO) but he knew I had the GB surgery and knew to scope first. I also had an epidural for the first time in my life and it really helped with the pain.
He told me that I almost died and he was glad that God helped him through my surgery. I knew I was dying but to hear him say that really shook me up. I'm just glad God took care of me through it!
The funny thing is that they kept me on IV's that whole week and when I stepped on the scale the first time it said I weighed 228! OMG! I weighed 175 when I went in! Then, the second time I weighed after they took the IV's out, I weighed 200! I still freaked! By the time I got home, within a week I was weighing 180. After a week I'm down to 160 and I'm so thankful that the weight wasn't permanent! That's a hard way to lose 15 pounds but it feels really good to lose that weight again! I thought those 15 pounds I had gained were permanent! I took my measurements and they are the same as when I was 155 before so I'm elated! However, I'm still on the mend and my tummy is a little puffy still but I'm only 2 weeks out of surgery, so I know it will continue to go down!
Anyway, the reason I posted this is that the bowel obstruction was caused by 'adhesions' that were on the sides of my intestine from the original GB surgery and TT I had years ago. When you have abdominal surgery of any kind (hysterectomy, gall bladder, etc.,) you have a much greater chance of having these adhesions. They act like fingers which wrap around your intestine and block off any flow of what is inside. When that happens, if you don't have surgery immediately, it CAN kill you! So, if you have any kind of abdominal pain after your surgery, don't just assume it is food poisoning like I did! Get to the ER within an hour or so and get x-rays done to make sure you are ok! Don't suffer and almost die like I did! God bless you all!

LisaBoston · 02-12-2006, 03:56 PM

I am sure glad they figured out what was happening to you and could fix it. I can't imagine the pain. My doctor suggested that I wear a medical allert bracelet saying "Gastric Bypass - no blind scoping". I think its good to have especially when you can't speak for yourself. I awoke from surgery with an NG tube and pulled it out after 2 days - they can't put one back in after GBP without being real careful. Thanks for posting your experience - I don't know if there is anything we can do now to help avoid this situation in the future.

Blueyz · 02-12-2006, 03:59 PM

Wow, what a scare. Thank you so much for sharing this information with us. I am glad you went into the ER and are ok. It is good knowing that anything can happen at any time even further out with GBS. Take care and I hope things get back to normal soon. Feel better.

coptergirl · 02-12-2006, 04:43 PM

Wow - what a horrbile thing to go through - thanks for sharing with us. Iam thrilled that you are home recovering and on the mend. God bless you!

HAMPTON5555 · 02-12-2006, 07:05 PM

Thanks for posting. Is there anything we can do to check if we a re developing adhesions?

I am worried although I have never developed them from other sureries. Are some people more suseptable to then than others?

Enquiring minds want to know!
Rain

macrobin · 02-12-2006, 08:10 PM

The only way I would think of that you could check is to get an x-ray. You would have to swallow this yucky tasting stuff so they could see whether or not the obstruction is there. However, there are no real long term symptoms that recur before the 'pain' happens. It's just there and you know it's hard to take and you have to go to the ER. You might ask your doctor for more info because I'm not an expert! Hope you never have to go through this though!

melanie hirschorn · 02-12-2006, 08:26 PM

i had gallbladder surgery about 4 weeks ago. they were able to do it laproscopically. when i went for my post op i asked the surgeon was he able to see my gastric bypass. he said there was no way he could see it if he wanted to and they were bearly able to do my gallbladder surgery laprosocpically because he said i had two really bad adhesions from the gastric bypass surgery. that is pretty scary. the key is if you have a problem, get to the doctor.
melanie

Mavisavis · 02-13-2006, 06:23 AM

Wow, I am so glad you are ok now. What a scary ordeal! I will remember the advice well. I am glad your weight dropped back down for you. Please take care of yourself....and post more often.

LizardQueen · 02-13-2006, 07:21 AM

Glad you are okay! How awful for you! Thanks for the info. I had never heard of this type of a complication so far out.

Pokey757 · 02-13-2006, 07:31 AM

I am glad you came thru everythink ok. I feel your pain, and feeling of being scared. I had the same thing happen (although not as life threatenting) but it did require emergency surgery.