Serious post-op complications - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

goblin · 03-09-2006, 07:35 PM

Hi all --

Haven't posted in a bit because I landed back in hospital for a week
with an internal abcess around my stomach. I was growing more and
more nauseated and was vomiting constantly....couldn't keep a sip of
water down. I ended up having to call an ambulance. I was admitted
for 5 days and have a draining leading from the abcess inside my
body to a bag outside my body. It is really ugly stuff.

I was so sick, you guys. To make matters worse, a different hospital
had spotted the pocket of fluid on a CT scan a week before and
decided it was nothing. So the abcess had a chance to grow and get
worse. If it has burst, I truly believe I'd be dead because I had
nothing to fight with.

I have really had a terrible time since surgery, though believe I've
now reached the bend in the road.

One thing two surgeons told me that I never truly appreciated before
surgery is that this procedure is considered HUGE in the surgical
world. One surgeon likened it to transplant surgery in terms of
complexity and the toll it takes on the body. THINK ABOUT THIS
BEFORE YOU HAVE THE SURGERY. Know that you're committing to a
complex procedure from which it will take you a LONG TIME to fully
recover, even without complications.

Also, I didn't know pre-op that I wouldn't be able to take
pills...this has been very hard to get around given my
complications. And let me tell you, taking liquid antibiotics is a
special kind of hell.

Sorry this post sounds cranky....but I've had five and a half weeks
of being in and out of hospital, being poked and prodded and hurt,
feeling emotionally, spiritually and physically drained. And to
boot, I had to have another leak test.

But..I'm here.

Lisa A

looking ahead · 03-09-2006, 08:08 PM

I'm so sorry to hear you've had such a rough time. I do hope in the next few weeks you start feeling a lot better. I will pray for you.

goblin · 03-09-2006, 08:12 PM

Thank you. I truly need the help.

Lisa A.

Bypassingme619 · 03-09-2006, 08:17 PM

Lisa God bless you sweety. My prayers are with you. I am so sorry you have been through so much. I think it is very important for everyone to understand the complications that could await them post-op. Walking into this I knew that major complications could occur even death. I thank you for sharing your story because this is stuff people need to read to see that there are people out here who hit big bumps in this process. God bless you.

Dara · 03-09-2006, 08:19 PM

Lisa A.:

Oh my gosh, you poor thing!

Speaking in "cup half full" terms, THANK GOD they found the abscess before it burst!!

I looked back through your posts and you were speaking about this weeks ago. So if it makes you feel any better, the good Lord must have been watching over you.

I've posted time and time again to remind people that this surgery is a MAJOR undertaking and should never been contemplated lightly. It's a HUGE risk to everyone who goes through it. We must all carefully weigh the risks versus the benefits to make certain we're doing it for the right reasons.

I hope and pray that you've turned the corner in your recuperation. Special blessings to you, Lisa, and best of luck with your journey.

LisaBoston · 03-09-2006, 08:43 PM

Hey pod-mate...I was so glad to hear from you today.....I know you have been struggling. I am not sitting in a hotel room in Medicine Hat, Alberta and have to report to emergency at 11am tomorrow. They are going to scope me - the guess right now is a stricture. I have done nothing...and I me NOTHING but water for the past 9 days and am VERY weak. I can't imagine what it will be like on Sat. when they may give me the green light to eat some puree and soft foods. Haven't been on the scale yet, but I can imagine a loss.......maybe the only positive thing out of this.

Lisa, I am so happy to hear you are out of the hospital and they found out what was wrong. We have both had a rough go the last few weeks, but here's to looking at a brighter tomorrow.

I really appreciate your post and candid information...people need to go into this surgery well informed and not take any of it lightly.

Miss ya girl...........

HeatherT · 03-09-2006, 08:44 PM

oh my - i am so sorry for you - i know how you feel about being in the hospital so much i was there almost every other week for 2 months for strictures they just wouldnt stay open and the throwing up would be so bad then dehydration and lack of potassium (which hurts/burns while its going in the IV) - but i couldnt imagine how bad you must have felt i am saying lots of prayers for you lisa A. i hope you will be out of the woods & losing weight and happy you did the surgery because i know its had to be happy you did this when there is so much grey area with the pain and complications. I am glad you are here to tell your story - i know many hear all the good things on these websites so we dont know much bad going into this - get healthy!

Dorothy · 03-10-2006, 07:11 AM

Awee Lisa, I am so sorry you had to go through this ! I hope everything gets on the brighter side for you soon ! ! Thank you for posting this, as a pre-op'er we need to hear the bad with the good and know what to expect .. just in case. {{{{hugs}}}}

veroniquetalk · 03-10-2006, 12:08 PM

Lisa,
I am sending some loving, positive energy your way in hopes that you can feel it and start feel better. What an awful thing to go through. Reminding people of what a serious surgery this is is very thoughtful on your part.

Gladitsme · 03-10-2006, 12:16 PM

Lisa A & B! Prayers are going up big time! I'm so sorry you're going thru all this, but it will pass, and you're going to fly! Love to you both and big hugs! Please keep in touch and let us know how you're doing!