caramaea
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Me 9/13/08. I have every reason to be happy.

In the first 7 months:
-2.5 inches from my neck
-8 inches from my waist
-8 inches from my hips
-6 inches from my bust
-5 dress sizes

I had laparoscopic roux-en-y (lap RNY) gastric bypass on June 9, 2008. Although my surgery went smoothely, I experienced complications afterward. I suffered a Heparin toxicity which caused me to have internal bleeding. I developed a large abdominal hematoma. I spent an extra day in the hospital due to elevated white blood cell counts and low hemoglobin, but was discharged on day 3 following my original surgery. Three days after discharge I was in the emergency department with fever, tachycardia, and abdominal and rib pain so severe it made it difficult for me to breathe. A CT scan of my abdomen showed that the bleeding had caused a clot to form under my liver and it had abscessed. I underwent an emergency laparoscopic exploratory laparotomy (6/17) to clean the blood and infection out. I came out of the surgery with a PEG feeding tube and a Davol triple lumen sump drain and was sent to ICU for monitoring. I was on very strong IV antibiotics (Vancomycin and Zosyn). They caused my peripheral IVs to infiltrate. Because I was such a "bad stick," I asked for a PICC line. Mine was inserted into my left upper arm (brachial vein) and its tip stopped outside the right atrium of my heart.

Although I was able to have my Davol drain removed and go home a week after my second surgery, I continued to have pain and fever. I was readmitted for another ex lap on June 27th after a follow-up abdominal CT revealed that I had a collection of fluid in my pelvis. During my third surgery, I had an endoscopy to check my anastomosis for leaks, which I did not have. My surgeon also cultured the fluid in my abdomen. The fluid grew out pseudomonas and strep. I came out of my third surgery with a left subclavian triple lumen central venous catheter and two Jackson-Pratt drains. One JP was draining my pelvis and the other was draining the area under my liver. The pelvic drainage was clear yellow serous, but the other JP drainage was cloudy serosanguinous. I spent five days in the hospital on IV antibiotics after my third surgery. I was discharged home with my feeding tube and JP drains on oral antibiotics (Avelox and Flagyl). I crushed the Avelox and Flagyl and put them into my feeding tube. Even though my "old" stomach was no longer attached to my esophagus, the Avelox made me throw up everytime. I couldn't actually throw up the pill because I had not swallowed it, but the effects were the same. I was miserable. After about a week of nightly vomiting I was put on Zithromax.

Two weeks after my third surgery, my pelvic JP drain was removed. It had started to grow in and was very painful to have taken out. The tubing was about four feet long. I was sick and in pain for days afterward and could not eat or drink without throwing up. My husband forced fluids and protein down my feeding tube to keep me hydrated, but that often made me throw up too. I was miserable and depressed and I was convinced I was going to die. I went through a period of time where I actually wanted to die. I didn't feel like I would ever be well again and I regretted my surgery.

My upper drain came out the week after my lower drain. It wasn't as bad coming out as the pelvic one had been. It was just weird (something akin to what I imagine birthing a tentacled alien would be like). The pain didn't set in until later. I could feel the drain tract through my upper abdomen for about two feet. It hurt to move. I was sick again and throwing up. I couldn't drink and I barely ate. I developed a high fever the day the drain came out, but it resolved itself that evening. I rebounded from the insult much more quickly than the first time.

On August 3rd, my feeding tube came out. It had been in for six weeks. It was the last of my tubes to be removed. I actually pulled it myself at home. It was scary, but once I clipped the water port and let the balloon drain I had no choice but to pull it. I had woken up at 4:30am in pain and had an irrational moment. It had been causing me pain for days and I didn't want to wait for my 8/21 follow-up to have it out. Once it was out, my safety net was gone. I knew I would have to seriously commit to getting all of my water and protein by mouth - and I did. I had no complications from removing the tube myself and the tract healed in nicely. I have made a full recovery and have had no further complications. I was back to work with no restrictions eight weeks after my third surgery (three weeks after removing my feeding tube).

I am now seven months out from my gastric bypass surgery and am down a total of 107 pounds (67lb since surgery). I am down from size 30/32 to an 18/20 and have lost 2.5 inches off my neck and 8 inches (each) off my waist and hips. Although I regretted my surgery at first, I would now do it over again. After everything I went through with my complications and additional surgeries, I still feel that it has been worth it. My type II diabetes is in remission! I no longer take any oral hypoglycemic meds or insulin. I am considerably healthier and I am enjoying a fuller life with my family.

The gory details: surgery pictures...

**Click on the pics to enlarge them**

In chronological order: my belly 6/10 (1 day post-op from lap RNY), 6/15 (6 days post-op from lap RNY), 6/19 (2 days post-op, surgery #2), and 6/28 (1 day post-op, surgery #3).

My central lines:

My PICC line (inserted after surgery #2), my central line (inserted during surgery #3).

Healing:

My belly on 7/13 (two weeks after surgery #3) - only one JP left and my feeding tube. My belly on 10/2, completely healed.

I have only five scars because my surgeons went though the same holes with every surgery and inserted my tubes and drains in those same holes rather than making new ones. It was thoughtful of them. A lot of my scars are sunken in from being opened repeatedly and having tubes in them for extended periods. Still, it's better than being cut from xyphoid to pubis!

Look at me now! Before and afters...