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Topic: low potassium and another surgery :(
I had a rough week. It started on Monday night...I woke up with the chills, my teeth would not stop chattering for over 3 hours. Finally after falling asleep for about a half hour I woke up with the sweats. Silly me STILL attempted to go to work in the morning. I lasted a few hours and went home.
When I got outside (it was 90 degrees) I was FREEZING. I called the bariactric center just to make sure it wasn't surgery related (I figured it was the flu). They told me to come in for a CT scan to be "on the safe side".
So I go to the ER and wait a couple of hours finally I was seen and after they got my blood work back they said I had very low potassium, it was 2.4. They started me on bags of IV potassium (which I must say burns like hell if t the saline that is dilluting it runs out). I was also VERY dehydrated.
So I think okay well they will fix this and I'll go home....ah no. At about midnight the nurse says "your surgical team is here". I started bawling, I had NO idea what she was talking about. So they come in and told me something was wrong with my CT scan but I probably would not need surgery...but that my surgeon was on the way in anyway.
Needless to say I did need surgery. My surgeron said the middle section of my RNY was very "angry" looking. So she needed to look at it to see what was going on. She ended up widning something near the second hookup. She said where my kidneys/liver drain was backing up for some reason.
The best part...she said she had never seen this happen before and she was hoping what she did would work.
So after a couple of days I am home. (this was last Tuesday that I had the surgery). I still don't feel great and went to my primary doc today who took more blood to check the potassium levels.
She (surgeon) said she had NO idea what caused this....so I am wondering has this happened to anyone else? I am a nervous wreck now about my potassium levels.
When I got outside (it was 90 degrees) I was FREEZING. I called the bariactric center just to make sure it wasn't surgery related (I figured it was the flu). They told me to come in for a CT scan to be "on the safe side".
So I go to the ER and wait a couple of hours finally I was seen and after they got my blood work back they said I had very low potassium, it was 2.4. They started me on bags of IV potassium (which I must say burns like hell if t the saline that is dilluting it runs out). I was also VERY dehydrated.
So I think okay well they will fix this and I'll go home....ah no. At about midnight the nurse says "your surgical team is here". I started bawling, I had NO idea what she was talking about. So they come in and told me something was wrong with my CT scan but I probably would not need surgery...but that my surgeon was on the way in anyway.
Needless to say I did need surgery. My surgeron said the middle section of my RNY was very "angry" looking. So she needed to look at it to see what was going on. She ended up widning something near the second hookup. She said where my kidneys/liver drain was backing up for some reason.
The best part...she said she had never seen this happen before and she was hoping what she did would work.
So after a couple of days I am home. (this was last Tuesday that I had the surgery). I still don't feel great and went to my primary doc today who took more blood to check the potassium levels.
She (surgeon) said she had NO idea what caused this....so I am wondering has this happened to anyone else? I am a nervous wreck now about my potassium levels.
~Erica
Dr. Renee Wolff
Start weight: 309.6
Day of surgery weight 267 (June 10, 2009)
Current weight: 194.6
Dr. Renee Wolff
Start weight: 309.6
Day of surgery weight 267 (June 10, 2009)
Current weight: 194.6
Topic: RE: Avoided this board (no offense)...but here to say hello!
I have watched your success and the will power you have for months you were very focus on your goal. I can only wish I can get results as good as you have had.
Topic: RE: Avoided this board (no offense)...but here to say hello!
Tiff
Current MD- Dr. Mikami, Honolulu Hawaii
Lapband 14cc AP Lg in 2008- slipped and removed 2016 -VSG July 21, 2016-dx Gerd
** RNY Revision 05/21/2019 **
"A few drops of hope can water and nourish our garden" - Jean M
Topic: RE: Need a reversal of MGB surgery in Missouri
She has contacted the original surgeon, he originally refused to do a reversal and suggested she see a nutritionist. She now has an appointment with him and is praying he will agree to reverse the surgery. We believe the bariatric surgeons she has contacted do not want to deal with her due to the minigastric bypass, which we have learned is not an operation approved by or performed by most reputable bariatric surgeons, so they may be refusing due to their unfamiliarity with performing or reversing this procedure.
She gets sick after meals, has serious gerd and has had one very large kidney stone to date.
One of her problems is that the regular BMI measurement does not classify her as underweight YET. When you see her you wonder if she is anorexic or seriously ill, but at 5'2" and 111 her BMI does not equal underweight. She is one of those people where BMI is not an accurate measurement of the reality. So the doctor does not see this as a problem--we are hoping when he actually SEES her in person he will see she needs to put on weight (her general practitioner said he would like to see her put on about 20 pounds--to give you some idea of how misleading BMIs can be).
She gets sick after meals, has serious gerd and has had one very large kidney stone to date.
One of her problems is that the regular BMI measurement does not classify her as underweight YET. When you see her you wonder if she is anorexic or seriously ill, but at 5'2" and 111 her BMI does not equal underweight. She is one of those people where BMI is not an accurate measurement of the reality. So the doctor does not see this as a problem--we are hoping when he actually SEES her in person he will see she needs to put on weight (her general practitioner said he would like to see her put on about 20 pounds--to give you some idea of how misleading BMIs can be).
(deactivated member)
on 8/9/09 6:54 am - KY
on 8/9/09 6:54 am - KY
Topic: any complications after DS?
I failed at RNY...now I am wanting a DS. Has anybody had problems with their DS?
Topic: RE: Need a reversal of MGB surgery in Missouri
Does she not trust the original surgeon - did she move- why doesn't she want to see him?
When was her surgery? She should research online for revision experts, there's usually one in every area, we have one in my practice who does all types of revisions, although normally to increase loss.
When was her surgery? She should research online for revision experts, there's usually one in every area, we have one in my practice who does all types of revisions, although normally to increase loss.
275 SW 8/5/08LB 165MW 2009-11, LB complications 2010-14
7-22-14 Revision LB to VSG 212SW/192CW/159GW HT 5'7"
Topic: Avoided this board (no offense)...but here to say hello!
Hello! I'm Teri... I only avoided coming here because its all still so fresh. I'm a bander, almost at my 1 year anniversary on August 25th, 2008. I have been very successful and have lost 130+ lbs. post op. I consider myself a success and consider myself a lifetime bander even though on July 13th I went in for port repair and they had to unexpectedly remove my band due to erosion. (My blog goes step by step) I was hospitalized for 4 days with drains, and am still on antibiotics. I miss my band desperately! I loved my band and I am very sad with each and every bite, because I feel and know its not there. I am actually grieving and scared...
Possibly I will revise to a sleeve in 6 months or so when the healing is complete and the infection has cleared. Until then, my appetite has returned with a vengeance and I am sad. I love the lap-band as a tool and I'd do it 100 times over!!!!!! I can't wait to get to know all of you...as I go back and forth between my LB Board and here!
Teri
Possibly I will revise to a sleeve in 6 months or so when the healing is complete and the infection has cleared. Until then, my appetite has returned with a vengeance and I am sad. I love the lap-band as a tool and I'd do it 100 times over!!!!!! I can't wait to get to know all of you...as I go back and forth between my LB Board and here!
Teri
Topic: RE: Wishing I had been forewarned
Well, the cat scan was all fine, but the doc says I probably have a stricture which is easily fixed. The cardiologist I'm seeing switched up a bunch of my meds, and I'm already feeling better. Still tired, but at least I won't collapse on the way to my kitchen anymore. My surgeon also said that I'll probably be feeling better within no time and be glad I had the surgery. He understands that I've had a few problems and am unenthusiastic about the whole process so far. He wants to see me next week to check my progress, and I also see the cardiologist next week as well. I'm being cared for and trying my best to move forward on this. Thank you so much for your well wishes!
Topic: Need a reversal of MGB surgery in Missouri
My cousin is becoming seriously underweight and is unable to get her surgeon to reverse her MGB. Does anyone have suggestions on what type of surgeon she should try? She has called many bariatric surgeons but they will not even see her. They say she must go to the original surgeon and he just recommends she see a nutritionist. She "dumps" very frequently, has shakes, and looks ill. She has gone back to Stage 1 and Stage 2 diets with no help.
She is getting very frightened and frustrated and really just want the whole thing reversed. Any suggestions.
She is getting very frightened and frustrated and really just want the whole thing reversed. Any suggestions.
Topic: RE: Silastic ring issues??
Hi Gina,
My name is Kathleen and I'm 5 years out from a VBGB. I just was diagnosed with Crohn's in February. During the workup it was discovered that the ring perfed my stomach. I still have part on the inside and part on the outside. I've consulted with a couple of surgeons and basically we decided since it doesn't seem to be bothering me or causing any problems we're leaving it alone a this point.
Otherwise I'd have to say my surgery has been a success. I'm 5'8 and weigh 135...takes effort to keep the 135 on.
I don't know if this is any hel*****t. If you have any other questions...feel free to ask!
Take care & best of luck to you! Kathleen
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