Question:
In agony and having trouble seeing my surgeon
Not sure whether I have more pain or frustration right now, but the combination is a terrible one. I'm over 13mths out of my gastric bypass and never really had problems or complications until about a week ago. It started w/ a feeling like I had air in my chest, sort of a painful bloating. Then I had a random bout of nausea that brought nothing but saliva as I hadn't even in a couple of hours. It didn't feel like anything was stuck and I felt normal after a while so didn't think much about it. Since then things have gotten progressively worse, with tonight's bout of nausea ending w/ dry heaves and bile. I generally handle pain very well and rarely take anything for it-- but at times the pain in my chest/pouch region is worse than it ever was after surgery. It hurts to take a deep breath and it is hard to eat or drink at times, to the point where I have to take the max dose of tylenol and force myself to do either. Yesterday I called the bariatric clinic and the nurse said it sounds like one of the openings to my stomach has narrowed. She would my surgeon would probably prescribe pepcid ac or have me go in for endoscopy, and said she would talk to him and get back to me. They usually do so fairly quickly, but more than 24 hours later I still hadn't heard anything. I called back and got the reception desk, who sent a message to the nurses since nobody was answering the phone over there. Still nothing, so I called again a couple of hours later-- close to closing time-- and still could not reach a nurse. I know I am becoming dehydrated despite my best efforts, and do not want to wind up in the hospital on an IV. I have taken tomorrow off work and plan to call again as soon as the clinic opens in the morning. If I can't get through, what should I do? The receptionist advised me to try the emergency room or immediate care, but there is no bariatric program in my city and I imagine they will tell me that they can't do anything for me. Should I give it a go anyway, or should I drive the 45 mins to where my surgery was done? Has anyone else experienced these problems-- either the symptoms or the difficulty getting help? — snickersblk (posted on December 3, 2009)
December 3, 2009
Unfortunately yes I have had similar problems. I am exactly 2 years out and
these issues started about 15 months after my surgery. My surgeon
determined it was an intestinal hernia. Went to the ER in my area that had
no gastric bypass experience, they sent me home with a diagnosis of the
stomach flu. I wish I had just driven the hour to my surgeons office and it
would have saved me a lot of time and discomfort. Oh, my surgeon was able
to schedule an outpatient surgery for the following week and after the
"post op" discomfort things got much better. Best of luck to
you.
— jdambs24
December 3, 2009
Go NOW top the Surgeon's Office. ASAP. Your dealing with a very serious
complication. Especially if your becoming dehydrated. Or are you ready to
spend weeks in the hospital? By being there in person, they will see just
by looking at you that they need to do the endoscopy right away. Don't play
iffy with your life.
— Michael Eak
December 3, 2009
Show up at your surgeon's office and demand to be seen, that is provided
your surgeon or one of the surgeon's is working the day you show up. If
it's a surgery day you may have a long wait.
— rkurquhart
December 3, 2009
I agree with the others, drive to the hospital where your surgeon is and go
to the ER there. This is serious.
— wearfamily2004
December 3, 2009
Have your attorney call the surgeon. This usually gets their attention. I
don't mean to make light of your situation - it is serious especially if
it's a hernia. The surgeon should not be ignoring you.
— Muggs
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