I need medical advice- my surgeon's office is failing me.
I had a lap RNY a month ago, and besides getting pneumonia from the intubation, things have gone rather well- not perfect, but no big problems.
Until two nights ago.... I had some abdominal pain that was different than normal stuff I feel when I get a pill stuck, or take a bite of food that was too big. It was a throbbing sort of stabbing pain, but it didn't hurt a ton, so I didn't worry about it, figuring if it still hurt in the morning, I'd call my regular doc or bariatric surgeon. The pain faded some, and I went to try to eat a little more, as I hadn't gotten enough protein and I took my evening meds (for diabetes).
First I took my meds, then I ate. I split my pill up small, and didn't have any trouble. Then I started nibbling my lunch meat. I had 3 small slices- not too much food or anything. I felt weird- too full with no warning, sort of. Then, I threw it all up.
I stayed well hydrated over night. Took my morning pills and had a protein drink. Then opted to try to eat again around 11am, and it call came back up, and I called the surgeon's office. The surgeon is out of town, but his assistant sent me in for a CT scan with contrast, and instructions that someone would be in touch soon and that there was a good chance I'd be getting admitted. 3 hours later- no word. I finally called the assistant's cell phone which is on the voicemail for Lap-Band patients only- the RNY patients were to call the on call doc, who I did call, but the on call doc was SHOCKED to learn he was on call for my doc and told me to wait until the morning, or go to the ER. The assistant hadn't seen my CT scan but said if I wasn't hurting a lot, stick to fluids and if I got worse go to the ER. She would call me today.
She did not call me today. Finally after lunch, I called her. No blockage, but she wanted to send me in for an endoscopy and dilation. I asked her what she saw on the ultrasound to warrant that, and she basically said nothing, but from my symptoms, my pouch sounds too small. I asked why it would go from totally okay to too small, and she had no good answer. I wondered if I might have a virus or something causing a stomach bug- and maybe we should wait and see before shoving a scope down my throat. She said she would call and check on me this even before she left and see how today went- and she hasn't called- big shock.
So, today I was able to keep some food in, not a lot, but some. I have still been throwing up... only now I've spiked a fever. What the heck do I do? I could call the on-call guys again- but they were pretty cranky and who knows if they know they're supposed to be on-call now. I could call the assistant, but she's been pretty useless.
Do you veterans have any thoughts or tips for me?? Thank you :)
Until two nights ago.... I had some abdominal pain that was different than normal stuff I feel when I get a pill stuck, or take a bite of food that was too big. It was a throbbing sort of stabbing pain, but it didn't hurt a ton, so I didn't worry about it, figuring if it still hurt in the morning, I'd call my regular doc or bariatric surgeon. The pain faded some, and I went to try to eat a little more, as I hadn't gotten enough protein and I took my evening meds (for diabetes).
First I took my meds, then I ate. I split my pill up small, and didn't have any trouble. Then I started nibbling my lunch meat. I had 3 small slices- not too much food or anything. I felt weird- too full with no warning, sort of. Then, I threw it all up.
I stayed well hydrated over night. Took my morning pills and had a protein drink. Then opted to try to eat again around 11am, and it call came back up, and I called the surgeon's office. The surgeon is out of town, but his assistant sent me in for a CT scan with contrast, and instructions that someone would be in touch soon and that there was a good chance I'd be getting admitted. 3 hours later- no word. I finally called the assistant's cell phone which is on the voicemail for Lap-Band patients only- the RNY patients were to call the on call doc, who I did call, but the on call doc was SHOCKED to learn he was on call for my doc and told me to wait until the morning, or go to the ER. The assistant hadn't seen my CT scan but said if I wasn't hurting a lot, stick to fluids and if I got worse go to the ER. She would call me today.
She did not call me today. Finally after lunch, I called her. No blockage, but she wanted to send me in for an endoscopy and dilation. I asked her what she saw on the ultrasound to warrant that, and she basically said nothing, but from my symptoms, my pouch sounds too small. I asked why it would go from totally okay to too small, and she had no good answer. I wondered if I might have a virus or something causing a stomach bug- and maybe we should wait and see before shoving a scope down my throat. She said she would call and check on me this even before she left and see how today went- and she hasn't called- big shock.
So, today I was able to keep some food in, not a lot, but some. I have still been throwing up... only now I've spiked a fever. What the heck do I do? I could call the on-call guys again- but they were pretty cranky and who knows if they know they're supposed to be on-call now. I could call the assistant, but she's been pretty useless.
Do you veterans have any thoughts or tips for me?? Thank you :)
The fever is worrying and I agree.... call the on-call doctor.
Other than the fever, I would agree with the endoscopy/dilation as it does sound like you might have begun to develop a striccture, which can come up fairly quickly about this point in the journey,.
Other than the fever, I would agree with the endoscopy/dilation as it does sound like you might have begun to develop a striccture, which can come up fairly quickly about this point in the journey,.
~Lady Lithia~ 200 lbs lost!
March 9, 2011 - Coccygectomy!
I chased my dreams, and my dreams, they caught me!
Just a word of advice on the trying to eat something when you started to eat again so soon after throwing up.
Throwing up can aggrevate/enflame the pouch and/or stoma and/or esophgus/pouch entry point and/or surround tissues, etc. This can lead to throwing up the next time you eat. (I'm not saying that that is what happened in your case. I'm just saying in general it could have contributed to it and can actually turn into a cycle of throwing up that is unnecessary.)
When you get throw up food within the first year, it is usually ALWAYS best to go back to all liquids and/or soft foods for a day or so. It doesn't hurt anything and gives the tissues time to un-swell and/or heal from any inflamation/damage that might have been caused by throwing up the first time. Some people call it "bumping back down a stage" or whatever. But it really does work.
I'm not saying it would have helped you because I don't know that that is your problem. (In fact, since you had pain before you threw up the first time and the fever, it is probably NOT your problem. But "bumping back down a stage" definately couldn't have hurt you even if that's not the problem. You'd have probably got in more food/protein that way than you have the way you're doing it.)
In fact, I'd go to all soft foods and/or liquids until you DID get seen by the DR (which I recommend ASAP).
Also, do not let a doctor's desire to not be disturbed on his "off" time kill you. You have to fight for you. The fever is a worry.
Good luck.
Wen
Throwing up can aggrevate/enflame the pouch and/or stoma and/or esophgus/pouch entry point and/or surround tissues, etc. This can lead to throwing up the next time you eat. (I'm not saying that that is what happened in your case. I'm just saying in general it could have contributed to it and can actually turn into a cycle of throwing up that is unnecessary.)
When you get throw up food within the first year, it is usually ALWAYS best to go back to all liquids and/or soft foods for a day or so. It doesn't hurt anything and gives the tissues time to un-swell and/or heal from any inflamation/damage that might have been caused by throwing up the first time. Some people call it "bumping back down a stage" or whatever. But it really does work.
I'm not saying it would have helped you because I don't know that that is your problem. (In fact, since you had pain before you threw up the first time and the fever, it is probably NOT your problem. But "bumping back down a stage" definately couldn't have hurt you even if that's not the problem. You'd have probably got in more food/protein that way than you have the way you're doing it.)
In fact, I'd go to all soft foods and/or liquids until you DID get seen by the DR (which I recommend ASAP).
Also, do not let a doctor's desire to not be disturbed on his "off" time kill you. You have to fight for you. The fever is a worry.
Good luck.
Wen
Thanks everyone!!!
My surgeon's assistant just called me.... She did in fact call before leaving the office- it's just been a LONG hard day at the office.
She's not sure what to do, so we're sort of in a holding pattern. I have the phone numbers for two bariatric surgeons who are on-call and know it! I have instructions to call them if anything changes. Sooo that's my plan.
Thanks for all the advice!
My surgeon's assistant just called me.... She did in fact call before leaving the office- it's just been a LONG hard day at the office.
She's not sure what to do, so we're sort of in a holding pattern. I have the phone numbers for two bariatric surgeons who are on-call and know it! I have instructions to call them if anything changes. Sooo that's my plan.
Thanks for all the advice!
At 5 weeks after RNY I started throwing up after eating any food of a chunkier or ground texture. I immediately went back to pureed food and my doctor sent me to my gastroenterologist to have an endoscopy. My endoscopy is Monday. The doctor said that it's either a stricture or everything is still swollen and not healed enough to handle the next stage of food. After going back to pureed food I stopped throwing up but not immediately. It took about a day. Maybe make an appointment with your gastric specialist or the doctor that did your initial endoscopy before surgery instead of waiting for your doctor. Good luck.
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