revision surgery/complications/encouragement needed

Well, I should have known. You know the 1-2% that things go wrong for? That would be me. I dont say that happily.

I had surgery June 17th to revise the lap Band to RNY.  Had a bit of trouble with drinking water on Friday, but then everything started working again. I absolutley drove the nurses mad because the beds were hurting my back and I couldnt sleep much less sit. I was ready to check myself out. So on Saturday Dr Felix let me go to the hotel room with an appointment on tuesday to see him. On Sunday around 10:30 a.m. I felt INTENSE UNBEARABLE pain, told my support person Susan to call the doctor and an ambulance. Something was wrong. By noon I was at the hospital and getting ready for a second surgery. I was screaming in pain at the hospital. My doctor (whom I adore) came quickly even on Father's Day (sorry doc) and performed another surgery. It seems that where my Lap Band had been had rubbed enough on my stomach (I was throwing up alot for the last 3 years) to break it down and my intestine had flipped..not once, but twice. So think of a garden hose with two kinks in it, my stomach exploded with a hole in it from the pressure, hence the pain. Doctor cut off the old part of stomach and fixed me up.

I stayed a week in the hospital, from Sunday to Sunday. Just to make sure every thing was ok and to heal and get antibotics. Doc wasnt taking any chances this time. Went for the follow up and everything seems good. I now have a tube out my side that I hate, still cant sleep well with it, but its my emergency valve. I go back on July 17th to take it out.

So as of now, I am still on the phase of "what the hell did I do to myself". I now also have panic attacks thinking of something else going wrong and my innards not working properly. I am terrified. I try to give it over to God, I'm lacking. Any prayers are welcomed.

So wish I could be more upbeat, but just trying to walk and eat mushies until July 9th, then I go on regular foods. Dont know if I can make it full time to work yet or not, maybe half days. The two surgeries seemed to drain all of my energy. Its rough even getting up and walking (energy wise). I still burp alot and hear my stomach making noises that scares me. I hate being afraid.

BTW anyone tried beans with cheese on mushy diet? Did it go well?

Thanks for reading.

Bridget

Bridget -
I am so sorry you have had such a rough road. I can't even begin to imagine all the  thoughts and feelings you must be having. It is good to hear that the doctor was aggressive in remedying the sitaution and that you are on the mend. I can tell you to count your blessings though. My best girlfriend had Roux-N-Y back in 2002 and had a similar complication however they did not catch hers in time and her intestine tore in two places. Her intestinal fluids filled her body and she became septic. She spent 26 days in a coma and 40 days in the hospital. Her wound was open and had to be packed daily to prevent infection. Now I am sharing this with you because here we are almost 7 years out and she is so happy. She is down 221 pounds and has a much better quality of life. And even with all her complications she would do the surgery again in a heart beat. She actually weighs less now than she did at 10. So, I know you're feeling pretty overwhelmed with everything now but there is a bright shining light at the end of this tunnel. I wish you all the best. You will succeed!!!
As far as the beans go, I would really stick with your surgeon's recommendations. I stuck with protein shakes.

Thanks so much! That helps to know someone else went thru something similar, of course how awful for her! Wow. Thank you for sharing.

Bridget

I'm sorry that you had such a hard time.On the other side it's good to hear from you and know that you got through it and is now on your way to recovery and weight loss. I will send a prayer up for you for strength and endurance.Michele

All I have to say is WOW!  I am so sorry to hear this.  I know it sucks because I've had abdominal pain myself and I know it's no fun.

I hope your journey from this point forward is a success....Keep us posted of your progress.

OnemoreTime,

All I have to say is God was surely watching over you in this situation.  There are people who have not had any kind of WLS that have their intestine twist and not get caught in time and do not make it.  My grandfather died in the 60ths this way. Long ago with no tests.

You are a physically new creature now.  Your rumbling is not your stomach because after RNY you no longer have a stomach. You have a pouch.  Your intestines are crying.  Did you ever have problems with stress that involved your intestine. I did and had panic attacks for years. All better now.  Just had to get rid of the first husband of 25yrs 10 yrs ago that helped me.

Give your self time to heal. You have tons to heal. This is not a a Normal let us revise and do a RNY.  You could have lost your life fro that complication and thank the Lord you had a Doc on the ball.   I hear in a year we will be able to eat alot more but in the mean while get better and know God has been watching over you every minute cause he has a purpose for you life.

Prays will be coming your way from me.

Kiki,

You and I have a great deal in common!  We got rid of the first husbands after 25 years about 10 years ago and we had miraculous recoveries!  LOL  I'm now married to the bestest!

Hugs to you girlfriend!

Barb

Bridget,

Wow, you've sure been through your share, but you're on your way now.  Hugs, good thoughts and lots of prayers coming your way.

If you're up for the beans and cheese, try putting them in a magic bullet or blender, just to get the chunks out.  Works great!  But do make sure they are on your protocol for eating, July 9th is not too far away!

Hugs,
Barb

Sorry to hear of your really bad luck.  I don't know if this will make you feel better, but here is the short version of my story:
* Had lap gastric bypass surgery in 2001 and lost 110 lbs.
* Gained 90 lbs. back (enlarged stomach and pouch)
* 4/7/09 had OPEN gastric bypass revision
* My husband has a severe back injury, and basically was useless during my recovery. I douldn't take care of myself and since all my family members are gone I had to ask a friend and his mom to helpl.
* Open surgery was very difficult to recover from the first couple of weeks, and I have a big scar down my middle.
* The good news is so far I am down 42 lbs., I walk 2-3 miles a day, I've even bicycled over 10 miles in the last month. 

All in all I would do it all over again in a New York second.  There is no comparison of how I feel now compared to how I felt pre-gastric bypass surgery.  I kind of think of it like childbirth.  The pain was awful when it was going on, but the memory fades with time.  Of course, it sounds like you have had a much tougher path than I.  I hope your healing process from here on in goes smoothly. 

Lalala2

Thank you all!