Michael S.
My Surgery
Feb 27, 2009
Hello all! I am now on the loser’s bench! I have my Realize Band! My port location is tender and I can tell I am still very swollen (I'll explain my complication here in a bit for those who didn't hear about it), but as long as I take it slow, I'm doing okay. I can't believe how hard these types of surgeries really can be. I was lucky (well, nobody is "lucky" to have a complication) enough to have a non-life threatening complication instead of ... well... a life threatening one.I was in the hospital from Friday to Tuesday...
I was feeling good on Friday and ready to go, I was actually about to but on my street clothes... when liquids became my enemy. ALL liquids.
To put what happened quite simply... I got swollen really bad. The tissue beneath my band (stomach), swelled more than normal (gastritis) closing my new pouch off from my stomach. So liquids went into my esophagus into my new little pouch... then nowhere to go but back up. A barium swallow test confirmed this on Saturday. With the barium swallow we could tell that the band was properly placed and it was all swelling. I had another swallow test on Monday, and it showed that a little liquid was starting to get through, but far to slowly for me to be able to stay hydrated at home yet. On Tuesday I spent most of the day at the hospital getting IV liquids and starting to drink on my own, and was sent home at the end of the day.
Let me tell you that this was hell on earth. This was one of the hardest things that I personally have had to endure on a physical and mental level like this. I was only able to take 1 medication for my panic disorder as all the others had to be taken orally. I was constantly spitting up/vomiting my own saliva. The medications I was taking (pain, vomiting, panic) made it so I had to physically move my legs to get them to move on the bed they were that weak. Sleep was next to impossible for a guy of my size in an uncomfortable hospital bed, and there was really nothing I could do but wait and hope. Would they have to go back in and take it out already? I was fearing that it would have to come out after all the hard work that I had done pre-op and all the hard work the doctor's did in the O.R. I'm a really big guy, and it took some work for the surgeons to get the band properly placed and locked in. I believe they told me it took 5 tries to get it exactly how and where they wanted it.
I am glad that I had the best nursing staff, doctors, and surgeons around. I'm sure I was mean at some time to everyone as I was not in the best mood, and they were nothing but helpful. Dr. Gould was amazing he came in to check on me and try to remove any possible fluid and air that may have gotten in the band during surgery. I had my first "unfill" 2 days after surgery. I owe my new life to their care and patience with me. I owe my new life to my wife's care and patience with me and her ability to take care of everything without me around. I am doing really well today and will hit about 100+ ounces of liquid and 60+ grams of protein! YAY! Thank you to everyone that has help me out so far on this journey!!!
12 Comments
About Me
WI
Location
46.6
BMI
Surgery
02/20/2009
Surgery Date
Surgeon
Sep 15, 2008
Member Since
