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Post by teachermomolp on Jul 9, 2014 19:36:17 GMT -5
Hi y'all. Just got out of the hospital on Sunday after 9 days. I went in with supposedly a perforated ulcer but was told on discharge day I had a leak. I have no idea what's what. I can't see my doc until Wed. of next week. I am 4 months out from band to DS revision. It's been uneventful up until now.
I'm home and still suffering. While in, I was NPO for 7 days (I had TPN for 5) and clear liquid for 2. When I left, I had no food restrictions except for the usual DS diet. Today I had 1 scrambled egg with a little cheese and ham, a soy milk coffee, and about 1/3 of a plain chicken breast and a few bites of zucchini. I am miserable. I have cramps, diarrhea, nausea and then I feel good for a minute and eat and then it happens all over again. I am on Zofran (as needed), Prilosec (prescription), Carafate (another antacid), and Lortab as needed. I have not taken any supplements since I went in to the hospital on 6/27. I am not in intense pain but I am miserable with tummy issues and I feel so weak I can't do much. I've lost 7 pounds since 6/27.
Am I just recovering or I am going backwards? How should I proceed?
1. Stop eating again altogether?
2. Should I try to take my supplements? I was on a full regimen before this.
I don't know if I'm coming or going. I just want to get well. Thanks in advance for your advice.
Lori
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Post by west4thavenue on Jul 9, 2014 19:43:17 GMT -5
To me, your inability to see your doctor for another week is not acceptable. Does he have someone covering for him that you can see? Barring that, I would have to say go back to the hospital. You need medical attention -- a doctor to answer your questions and give you a plan of action, not a freaking guessing game.
You take care, Sweetheart. I have been really worried about you.
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Post by newyorkbitch on Jul 9, 2014 20:58:38 GMT -5
Eliminate dairy. Eat only soft foods. Pretend this is the immediate post-DS period in terms of eating, and easing in to eating.
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Post by Mariposa(Heather) on Jul 9, 2014 21:23:23 GMT -5
I have no advice but wanted to let you know that I'm sending good thoughts your way and hoping that you are feeling better soon.
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Post by teachermomolp on Jul 9, 2014 21:42:34 GMT -5
Thanks y'all. My doc is utterly unavailable. He only sees patients on Wednesdays! WTF! For my post hospital follow up next week, I have to come in and "wait" until he can fit me in. They told me to be prepared to wait two hours. He's a great cutter but I can't recommend him- he is just not available enough. If I was septic, I would have died last week. My local ER told me not to come back with GI issues so I'm at the mercy of my surgeon's office. I will back off on the food tomorrow and see how it goes- soft foods only. Thanks for the advice! I'm feeling better at this moment! I've been relaxing for the last few hours. I guess that will help too! Vites or not yet?
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Post by goodkel on Jul 9, 2014 22:37:22 GMT -5
That is ridiculous.
Would you consider going to Dr. Folahan Ayoola? He trained under Dr. Stewart and is an active DS surgeon. You need much better care than you are receiving.
Contact info:
(855) 576-9782
info@weightlosssurgeon.com
Frisco Office
5680 Frisco Square Blvd
Suite 2500
Frisco, Texas 75034
Denton Office
3321 Colorado Blvd
Denton, Texas 76210
Phone (855) 576-9782
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Post by goodkel on Jul 9, 2014 22:46:43 GMT -5
I would only take those vitamins that don't affect your stomach, but there's no harm in waiting until you are better to pick them back up again.
As NYB said, go back to the beginning with your eating. Stay away from dairy and fibrous carbs.
Don't worry about your weight. You are probably retaining a lot of fluid.
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Post by bboop on Jul 9, 2014 23:35:32 GMT -5
Which ER told you not to come back with gastro problems..I would report them..that's awful- ER docs don't get to pick and chose. Ridiculous. I'm so sorry Dr. Wilson is being so unavailable and unhelpful...he has partners you can see there's another guy in the practice that is named Wilson and he can see you. He actually did my resleeve but for the life of me I can't remember his name...I think Erick was in the OR, at the time.
I honestly think you are really hungry. I would be. So do as suggested...start off slow SF jello, SF popcyciles, soups - smash them up in the blender and enjoy. Just go back to the beginning. I loved black bean soup - haven't eaten it since but it tasted good...a little Tex Mex for us Texans, right? Add some melted cheese to that. Don't worry about the carb count cause you won't be able to eat that much of the smashed up beans. How about runny mashed potatoes? Add butter and melted cheese. Eggs, I just couldn't do...not for a long time. Now I eat usually two per day. Scrambled eggs were the worst...sat like led and made me feel awful.
Remember liquid in liquid out. This is your beginning. This too shall pass. I promise. Then you get to have a daily surprise every time you poop...that's part of the DS life. Fun, huh?
Tomato soup is a biggie around here and girlrocker added smashed up tofu to her tomato soup. Now for me tomato soup wasn't a good idea, but YMMV.
Broth...all kinds, chicken, beef and even veggie...they are liquid and can help with the hunger pangs. Nibble and I do mean nibble on a cracker...that will get you from one meal to the next. Learn to graze - it really helps to have multiple small meals per day. Don't get too hungry and don't over eat...it's easy to do. Stop when you think you are full...not when you are stuffed...remember your tiny tummy is new.
Stay hydrated...whatever you do - drink - all day. Sip, sip, sip and walk walk walk. Remember this is the beginning for you.
I hope you get to feeling better. If you don't just go to another ER...don't mess around if you are in real pain. OK?
Hugs to you.
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Post by Girlrocker on Jul 10, 2014 5:31:11 GMT -5
I'm so sorry you are going through this, and your aftercare is awful! And an ER that says 'don't come back with GI issues"  !!! Good medical suggestions above, you need to be looked after, this is horrible. I agree,for now go back to newly post-op plan, easy soft foods, "layer" when you can like cooking an egg into soup or oatmeal, or ya, I'm a fan of pureeing tofu  And for some reason, tomato soup early post op was the only thing I could stand, until my other tastes came back. Or you could do that with instant mashed potatoes) Double your protein scoops in your shakes, if you tolerate greek yogurt, add a protein scoop; when I got tired of cooked eggs, I ate them hardboiled or with a little bit of lowfat mayo (easier on my healing stomach) for egg salad. Good old fashioned saltines might help too for a vehicle, some crunch, some electrolyte salt. If you crave meat, try lean ground turkey instead for now and make chili, keep it simple and just saute the meat and add a packet of good chili mix. Soy-based products helped me for awhile too like Boca or Garden burgers, chikn patties, I would melt a little cheese. |
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Post by west4thavenue on Jul 10, 2014 9:09:46 GMT -5
That is ridiculous. Would you consider going to Dr. Folahan Ayoola? He trained under Dr. Stewart and is an active DS surgeon. You need much better care than you are receiving. Contact info: (855) 576-9782 info@weightlosssurgeon.com Frisco Office 5680 Frisco Square Blvd Suite 2500 Frisco, Texas 75034 Denton Office 3321 Colorado Blvd Denton, Texas 76210 Phone (855) 576-9782 Dr. Ayoola is my surgeon, Lori. I highly recommend him and his staff. |
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Post by west4thavenue on Jul 10, 2014 9:17:06 GMT -5
Thanks y'all. My doc is utterly unavailable. He only sees patients on Wednesdays! WTF! For my post hospital follow up next week, I have to come in and "wait" until he can fit me in. They told me to be prepared to wait two hours. He's a great cutter but I can't recommend him- he is just not available enough. If I was septic, I would have died last week. My local ER told me not to come back with GI issues so I'm at the mercy of my surgeon's office. I will back off on the food tomorrow and see how it goes- soft foods only. Thanks for the advice! I'm feeling better at this moment! I've been relaxing for the last few hours. I guess that will help too! Vites or not yet? I am appalled by both your doctor's office and the ER telling you not to come back with GI issues. I live in a really small town in Texas, and my local ER could put me on a care flight to Dallas or Tyler if need be. The ER is all I've got. What they told you is just wrong.
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Post by teachermomolp on Jul 10, 2014 19:37:29 GMT -5
Today my insurance company's RN called. Now they are getting involved. Again, today, Wilson' office told me that I could see him next Wed., or go to the ER. No, there is no one else who could see me, no, I cannot go to another office, and no, I have no other option. Unbelievable. UHC is now getting involved on my behalf. I don't need an ER- I need continuity of care... I do feel better on liquids today, and I also have relaxed all day. So I guess that's what Im doing until Wed.!
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Post by goodkel on Jul 10, 2014 20:32:17 GMT -5
If you fall back into pain again, please do not hesitate to ditch your surgeon.
And when this is over, please consider finding another surgeon to handle your aftercare.
Waiting another week until next Wednesday is criminally negligent.
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Post by teachermomolp on Jul 11, 2014 16:20:30 GMT -5
Since I went on liquids, I'm feeling better! Whoo-hoo. Still no great, but better. I hope i' on the mend. I am going to find someone else for my care- this is dangerous... It's too bad because I like Dr. Wilson...it' just the set-up of care that is not OK.
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Post by Girlrocker on Jul 11, 2014 16:38:27 GMT -5
Since I went on liquids, I'm feeling better! Whoo-hoo. Still no great, but better. I hope i' on the mend. I am going to find someone else for my care- this is dangerous... It's too bad because I like Dr. Wilson...it' just the set-up of care that is not OK. I'm so glad you're finally feeling a little better, but yes, NEW doctor, this is absolutely unacceptable, irresponsible medical 'care'. |
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Post by newyorkbitch on Jul 11, 2014 17:10:38 GMT -5
I want to play devil's advocate here. Why did you feel you needed to see your surgeon? You followed his instructions, you felt better and better. Is there a medical issue going on?
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Post by teachermomolp on Jul 11, 2014 21:59:10 GMT -5
NYB- I was not getting better- that was my issue. I had no options but the ER. When I had my sudden perforation, I was told to go to the ER. The first ER told me that I could not come back because I just had had surgery. The office had no option for me other than to go to a different ER the next day when I was worse. There was NO physician available to see me- and that, to me, is not acceptable. I went to a different ER, and still could not get help. When I finally was admitted (without being seen by anyone), I saw Dr. wilson once for less than 2 minutes. The residents changed stations on July 1st, so I got a whole new crop of Doogie Howsers who were lovely, but who didn't know jack. I got two different stories about what was wrong with me, I got negligent discharge instructions which caused me to get worse, and STILL I had no option for seeing anyone in Dr. Wilson's office this week. No other physician, no PA, no other office available... just go to the ER if you feel you're not getting better. The ER, to me, is not a substitute for continuity of care. I need the expert- I have no idea how fast I should be recovering. I've been out of the hospital a week and I'm as weak as a newborn. I can't eat and have no plan for doing so and will not until I get "worked in" to Dr. Wilson's schedule on Wed. They told me to be prepared to wait for two hours that day. I am ill and I just feel like I need some more attention than I've been getting. If you think I'm being ridiculous, definitely tell me, but I don't think I've been treated very well. I've been in the dark for too long. What do you think?
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Post by newyorkbitch on Jul 11, 2014 22:08:42 GMT -5
It's hard to know what "ill" is as opposed to feeling really shitty after a big medical problem and a hospitalization. Maybe it's normal to feel really shitty in your circumstances. You said you're feeling better since you've started liquids...maybe you're progressing as you should?
I'm not sure what a visit to your surgeon would do for you right now.
Is there someone in his office you can talk to on the phone, just about the recovery issues?
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Post by teachermomolp on Jul 12, 2014 8:41:54 GMT -5
I am getting better for sure. It's just taking so long. I just wanted to be able to ask someone if this long recovery is normal. I feel worse than I did right after my surgery. I really just wanted to ask if my progression is normal or if I still have a perforation or leak that will creep up on me again. I did talk to Dr. Wilson's PA yesterday and she thought I am doing fine. I also talked to my insurance company's RN (they have been calling me to check up on me since my discharge) and she also thought I was doing better, but that I should "demand" a call from Dr. Wilson. I didn't agree because at this point I'll see him in 5 days and I am getting better. I am thinking about another after care provider because I feel like this "emergency" was handled very poorly- it took me almost 48 hours to see a physician from onset and the dude didn't even know what a DS is. In my fog, I had to explain it to him. So I'll settle myself down, work on sipping and walking, and trying to get some strength back. I'll check back in on Wed.! THANKS!
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Post by newyorkbitch on Jul 12, 2014 8:44:32 GMT -5
I have always been of the opinion that aftercare should not be left to your surgeon. You need a good internist who understands the DS and its issues, who can handle what comes up and refer you when necessary, and who could explain your issues to a surgeon if and when necessary. Also, you should carry a DS diagram and explanation in your wallet.
That being said, when you had this type of urgent situation it is not acceptable for your doctor not to treat you immediately and thoroughly.
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Post by illinids2 on Jul 12, 2014 8:53:57 GMT -5
One other point. The way our medical system works it is not your surgeon who is responsible for emergency care once you are out of the hospital post surgery. Sure he/she will be consulted if the ER docs need information but it is up to people in our situation to know what the good ER's in our areas are and to go to that ER if we have issues.
I have a unique situation in that Dr Marshall is also the Chief/Director of Trauma for OSF St Francis where my surgery was completed, but that it is not the common situation. Even so, he is not the person who would see me in the ER it would be the ER attendee and if they decided to call in Dr Marshall or one of his partners they would do so and he would then handle my case if I was admitted for something related to the DS surgery.
Due to my family history I have much more knowledge of medical systems and how they work than the average patient, so I try to pass as much of that along as I can. Understanding of the system and how it works is key to getting proper care, because you have to understand that and ER Docs job is to make sure you aren't going to die and then get you out as fast as they can so they can see other patients. If you aren't able to adequately advocate for yourself and force testing it is not uncommon to be sent home when you are still very sick. That sucks but that is the reality of modern day health care delivery in the US of A.
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Post by west4thavenue on Jul 12, 2014 8:59:15 GMT -5
...They told me to be prepared to wait for two hours that day. I am ill and I just feel like I need some more attention than I've been getting. If you think I'm being ridiculous, definitely tell me, but I don't think I've been treated very well. I've been in the dark for too long. What do you think? ... I think you have been treated HORRIBLY. Please find another physician to care for you. |
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Post by teachermomolp on Jul 12, 2014 12:22:03 GMT -5
Well now, that makes a whole lot of sense. I assumed Dr. Wilson as my surgeon, was the one responsible for my after care for...well, forever. But if I was wrong to assume that, I can definitely look for an internist who can take over that job. So maybe I was expecting more than I should have from Dr. Wilson's practice. As I've said before, I'm really lucky to have been able to have him do my complicated and long surgery and I am DELIGHTED that I am 70 pounds lighter already. If he's not the one I need to be leaning on for care, then I can and will go find someone who I can trust who I feel is "there" for me. I have a primary care doc who I like but who I've only seen a few times. I think I'll try to get in to see her- she's far easier to reach- I can even email her!
Thank you everyone for helping me understand the "system" as it stands. I wish Wilson's office would have been able to tell me to find an internist to take over care...
You all are invaluable to me! Thanks!
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Post by newyorkbitch on Jul 12, 2014 12:32:42 GMT -5
It's a big problem in general. Surgeons are trained to deal with surgery. They are not internists, not gastroenterologists, not endocrinologists, not hematologists, etc. Surgeons in general are not good at aftercare (except in the immediate postop period) and in my opinion, they needn't be. They should spend their time on surgical technique and surgical issues. It is really important for DSers to have good internists who are willing to learn about the DS, and also refer to specialists when needed.
I have not seen a DS surgeon in many, many years. I have no need to - and no DS surgeon could (or should) help me with nutrition or labs...that's up to me and my internist, etc.
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Post by teachermomolp on Jul 12, 2014 12:49:20 GMT -5
Well I think I finally got the picture. At least I now feel empowered to be able to DO something! Thanks!
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Post by goodkel on Jul 12, 2014 20:57:18 GMT -5
Well, you're only four months out from surgery and your medical issues have been caused by a leak. I think it is very reasonable in this case to expect your DS surgeon to jump to this. Post op leaks ARE his responsibility.
Once this is healed, though, do not rely on him for care. I haven't required or seen a DS surgeon since I was released from the hospital. While it can be reassuring to be followed by your/a DS surgeon, it is not a requirement and many, many people do fine without it. Once this complication from your surgery is healed most medical issues that arise won't have anything to do with your DS surgery, anyway.
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!!! Good medical suggestions above, you need to be looked after, this is horrible. 
And for some reason, tomato soup early post op was the only thing I could stand, until my other tastes came back. Or you could do that with instant mashed potatoes) Double your protein scoops in your shakes, if you tolerate greek yogurt, add a protein scoop; when I got tired of cooked eggs, I ate them hardboiled or with a little bit of lowfat mayo (easier on my healing stomach) for egg salad. Good old fashioned saltines might help too for a vehicle, some crunch, some electrolyte salt. If you crave meat, try lean ground turkey instead for now and make chili, keep it simple and just saute the meat and add a packet of good chili mix. Soy-based products helped me for awhile too like Boca or Garden burgers, chikn patties, I would melt a little cheese. 
