New Co-Morbitity

When I had surgery in July I was kept in the hospital an extra 2 days because I had problems w/my bladder and wasn't able to pee. For those who were around at that time may or may not remember that as soon as I walked in the door I went into the bathroom and peed on my "own" for the first time in 5 days. And I also had a raging bladder infection from being cath'd so many times. Well over the last 3 months I have continued to have some problems. I believe I have had a total of 4 bladder infections since my surgery. If I pee more than 2 times a day it is a miracle and something to celebrate. Over the last few weeks however it has gotten bad again. Last week my dr. told me to bring in a urine sample. But I wasn't able to do so because I was not able to "go" when they were either open or it was convienient for me to take to them. So today I made an appt. for myself and my sick 2 yr old. I drank 40 oz of water and protein shake in LESS than 2 hours. Let me tell you my little pouch was feeling it. But I figured I was going to be able to pee come h_ or high water.... I was able to go just a little bit while I was there. Nothing like I should have after having had that much of intake. There was a ton of blood in my urine sample and Mary kept saying that over and over and over. If she said it 1 time she said it 15 = no joke. So now they are going to do 2 different tests on that, then I have to go in and be cathed. And she is referring me to a urologist I beleive she said. Interesting how co-morbids lay dormant before surgery (any type of surgery) and then the stress and such brings them out. Who knows this case may be different. Gala

My goodness Gala. When will this all end? You certainly have had your share of problems and complications from WLS. I have bladder problems too, but not from WLS. I can not urinate on my own. Most the time I can't urinate at all but I can occasionally urinate a few dribles but my bladder still stays full. My urologist has me self cath each and every time I urinate. It takes a little bit to get used to but it's not bad. I know that this way my bladder gets emptied each and every time. It's quite simple to self cath. You take a clean catheter and insert it each time you need to urinate then remove it. Don't freak out if your urologist suggests this. It's something commonly done, people just don't talk about it. Melody

Mary did mention that self cathing may need to be done if it is determined that I am retaining urine. My mom (who is a nurse of 30 yrs) feels very strongly when I had my WLS that the nurses "screwed" something up (that was her comment). Because I was cathed so much in the hospital and nearly everytime it took them 2-3 attempts to get it right something happened in the process. The 2nd time they put in the foley cath I had non stop cramping and pain from the moment it went in to the moment it came out. Which my mom feels is/was very abnormal and the cause of the ongoing problems. The first culture came back negative for any infection. So I will find out more tomorrow what the 2nd test is. From there I have to be straight cath'd in the office after I have been on antibiotics for 2 days and then an IVP test. I'm just frustrated!! Very frustrated!! Gala

Gala, I'm an RN and I agree with your mom.....being cath'ed shouldn't cause any pain or discomfort. Sometimes people will have bladder spasms or urethra spasms...maybe that's what you felt. But usually a cath shouldn't cause any feeling, let alone discomfort and pain. I hope they find out what's the problem.....and I admire your efforts to keep your chin up through so many trials.

Oh, man! Gala, you sure must be strong to have trials like this. You're still in my thoughts and prayer. Hydi