Home/Lap Band to DS revision

[divineambrosia]

I wish I could say how easy and great things have been going but I can't.

I had surgery on Dec. 20th - about 13 hours out I had this horrible pain in my abdomen, like someone was pouring fire into my gut. There was also a lot of pressure. Once the on duty surgergon made it into my room, I as almost hysterical with pain. I demanded they remove my cathatar but that did not help at all, the pain just kepp pouring through my gut.

I had no temp at the time, my white blood cell count was not abnormal, the only thing they couldn't understand was that my pulse rate was sky rocketing and nothing they could give me could get it to go down. So they upped pain meds, started giving me anti anxiety meds and another day and a half goes by and I start thinking I'm ok. Dr. Sudan is away on vactaion. Then his assistant shows up and says, "You're going to the OR."I flipped out, panicked even worse. So on the 22ndish I had emergency surgery for a suture rupture at the bowel/stomach line. The next 8 days or so are pretty mucha blurr. I was placed in the CCU unit while trying to recover. It has been an extremely painful and terrifying event for me.

Today I've been sent home. I have been extremely emotional all day. Mostly in pain (they sent me home with neasuea, pain and anti acid meds). I'm terrified something is going to happen to me. I'm completely exhausted, I'm trying hard but I know I'm not getting in enough liquids, forget about protien which just makes me want to puke.

I know this is a lot of whining and people don't like the whiners, but here I am. Scared, feeling alone and a terrified I'm going to do something wrong. Am I just having worse problems because I was in the hospital so much longer with complications? I keep reading the "Everything is awesome" posts and its giving me the blues (not that I don't wish each of you well!).

Anyway - just getting some of this off my chest.

Ash
DivineAmbrosia

[tillie]

Ash,

Take a deep breathe and let it out. You are not whining. A lap to revision is a difficult surgery to begin with and the complications to follow are indeed scary.

Don't worry about protein just yet, small sips and then some more small sips.

Take is slow, rest as much as you can and sip, sip...sip...

Hope you turn the corner soon.

Dot

[Joanne]

Aw, you've been through a lot. You deserve a hug, and I dont think anyone will accuse you of whining.

Dont worry about protein for right now, concentrate on your fluids. That is very important so you have to make that work or you'll be back in the hospital for IV fluids for dehydration. You should aim for 64+ oz a day.

The protein will come, just try to do what you can. If something is making you sick now, try it again in a few days.

What have you been trying to eat?

You're not alone, we all recover at our own pace and you had a revision, it's a little tougher but you will get better.

[lovy19]

Sorry to hear you are going through this, I am also seeking revision Lap to DS. I wonder if all lap to DS revisions are painful. I wish you well please keep us posted.

[Leonie]

Ash

That is just awful!

But now you are home, and can focus on recovery.

Thinking of you while the rest of the world is sleeping.

[Heather]

(((HUGS))) to you. Seeking support when you are feeling fragile is NOT whining. Hang in there and feel better.

[clpeltz]

(((Hugs))) I'm so sorry you had to go through something so scary! Vent away here! Now that you are home, rest and sip. Everything else will follow! Thinking of you!

[scoob]

Sweetie, it's not whining it's need some emotional support. That's what we're here for! Like others have said, don't worry about the protein just yet. Just make sure you sip, sip,and sip some more. That is your job right now, to stay hydrated! Big HUGS!

Ruby

[Girlrocker]

I was just revised from an RNY to a DS on Dec 15, 2011; my RNY was in May 2002, and I had complications back then, a second surgery 4 weeks later, all the problems were caused by a stitch popping that was holding down my intestine. I so understand all your feelings. Please don't think you're whining, you've been through a lot. You did the right thing to post to get some support. Going home from the hospital is very overwhelming, and so are your emotions, very normal after surgery, especially like ours, big hormonal release. I had a complication free surgery this time, thankfully, but I still experienced all that anxiety when I was going to be released. Did you have insurance to cover your surgery? Do you still have your drains in? A feeding tube? If so, you could very well qualify for a home health care nurse. I'm single, live solo, so when I was in the hospital, I asked about getting one for my first couple of weeks home. I had one during my RNY experience and that's what reminded me to request, see if I would qualify. It was set up very quickly, it's worth checking into, call your surgeon. Helped me to have some moral support, as well as medical, someone to change my dressings, check on me.

In the meantime, breathe, take it one day at a time. Your experience will be unique to you. We benefit from reading others' experiences, but don't compare yourself, in recovery, weight loss. Right now, focus on your recovery. Try your best to especially keep yourself hydrated. You can do it, you just have to sip slowly, and be in constant sipping motion. If the cold temp of the water hurts, drink it room temp. Nausea, funny taste in your mouth, all normal. There are also some protein alternatives to shakes, like protein bullets, Amino2222, which you can get at GNC or order online. Forewarning - the stuff tastes nasty, but you can hold your nose and down it like cough medicine :-) Or put it in the feeding tube if you have one. The protein intake will come, don't fret. Take care, update on how you're doing.

[Psyche]

I am sorry you are going through this and hope you feel better soon.

[kmg9122]

I am so sorry for what you've been through. Sending lots of good vibes your way!!!

[Band to DS]

Dear Ash,

You probably don't recognize my name because I haven't been on OH in a long time & I haven't been here very much either. I've been working on getting insurance approval for a lap band to DS revision with Dr. Sudan for 8 months now. I read your post & instantly thought, "That could be me."

I'm so sorry that you had such a difficult time after surgery. I can't imagine how scared you must feel. Like others have said, try to focus on drinking fluids & taking care of yourself right now. Who is helping you at home? Are you able to talk to them about your fears? I really hope that you come back here & post more so we can support you through the healing process.

Shelli