9+ years post op, difficulties eating meat...resolution (I hope!)
Hello!
Some of you who are more active on here may remember that in early July submitted a post asking if anyone had a similar experience. I was having issues eating any types of meat. I felt horrible after eating any type of meat and the feeling would last for hours!
I saw my surgeon on July 9. She decided to begin running some tests, but believed that the issue might be related to GERD. She put me on prilosec twice a day and scheduled me for an endoscopy, which she wanted completed within the next week. On July 15 I had the endoscope done, as requested and while it did show moderate acid reflux there was no narrowing or obstructions, he was able to go right through the esophagus to the pouch to the first part of the limb. No problems.
She then ordered an upper GI and wanted it done within the next two weeks. I scheduled my appointment for the Upper GI on July 24. Had the test done (I hate that barium crap) and the next day got a call that there was a problem, appeared to be a possible twist in my intestines and I needed a CT scan done that day or the next. So, I went back to the hospital and drank all the new thinner "berry smoothie barium" only to find out that I couldn't have the test done that day because I had just had the barium the day before and I couldn't have the test until the following Thursday. I was annoyed and frustrated--the hospital was tripping over themselves in apology and gave me lots of freebies that day--but I was annoyed because . I do however, feel sorry for the person who allowed it to be scheduled when I had the Upper GI at the same hospital the day before, they likely got their head written up and should have.
So, on August 1 I went back to the hospital, drank more of the 'berry smoothie barium' (still disgusting in case you were wondering) and had the iodine injection for the contrast (that just feels weird). I finished the test, got myself something small to eat and drink and went out to get my car. While waiting for the car, I got a call from the nurse, telling me not to leave yet. The doctor was on her way back to the hospital and wanted to review my results. There was definitely some distension and Dr. Hamad wanted to look at it and might want to see me that day. So, I waited to see her and she told me there was a definite kink in the intestine. She wanted to do laparoscopic surgery to see exactly what was going on and repair it so that I began feeling better. I got the usual warnings that it could be switched to open and while it was likely I would go home the same day as surgery, there was a possibility that I could stay 1-2 nights. We set a date for August 12 and she put me on a soft food diet until the 7th and then I was on clear liquids until my surgery on August 12.
Surgery went smoothly--from what I can tell anyhow. It was done laparoscopically and the procedure lasted about 2 hours. She fixed a kink in the jj anastomosis and repaired a suture that had come out. I was discharged the same day (thankfully!) and have been on clear liquids since then. She informed my husband that I could resume soft foods when I felt able. She also told him that I should expect to feel more sore on my right side, as that is where the work was done (she wasn't lying!) I've tried very small amounts of soft foods over the last few days and nothing feels very well at this point, so I'm mostly having liquids. I feel much better at this point and while not hungry, I am ready to be able to chew something!
I go to see her on Tuesday and hope that I am released back to work.
I wanted to thank everyone who offered advice and words of wisdom. That is truly one of the main reasons I LOVE this community, people are kind and compassionate.
I am using this as a starting over point and believe that I can lose the weight that I have regained, wish me luck! :)
Michelle
