Need some advice and help!

Hi all I have been absent from the board for quite some time now. I had GBP surgery on 7/29 and have had major complications. My surgery ended up taking over 5 hours as my blood pressure dropped really low and I needed a blood transfusion. Four days later, it was discovered that I had a leak so I ended up being in the hospital for 9 days. I was not able to drink/eat anything so I ended up getting what is called TPN through an iv to get enough nutrients. I had to do this at home for about a week too. Ten days after being home, I went for a doctor's appt. and they readmitted me right away. My left lung was totally collasped and filled with fluid. A chest tube was inserted and that is the MOST painful procedure I think anyone can go through. I just got released again after a 12 day stay. Since being home, I am having a really difficult time getting food into me. I am still on a soft food phase (yogurt, eggs, tofu, cottage cheese) and by late afternoon, I have no desire for anything. The protein drinks area a real problem too - I have no desire for them so getting protein in to me has become a real issue). I am starting to lose hair and still do not feel like myself (I am light headed, hard time thinking, shakey at times). Has anyone else experienced this? I know this all may be a result of the trauma my body has gone through for a month but I have to get back to my normal life. Everyone says to give it time but how much time? I am really regretting my decision to have had this surgery and would appreciate any help! Leslie

Leslie, I am so sorry you have had such a rough time. I think we all have some regrets early on even without the complications you have had...I think its natural. I had no complications and had that same feeling about not feeling like eating. Each day gets better I have found..and I hope that this is your experience too. Hang in there you have been through a lot...you body has been through some big changes...it just needs time to adjust. Plug along and try different protein drinks...and maybe you can find a better one for you..maybe Isopure or something that is not a milk base. I will keep you in my prayers and hope that things get better for you. Keep in touch on these boards..and maybe the support you get here will help too! Joanie

Leslie- For me, the difficulty after surgery was the confluence of intense ketosis, a nasty headcold that I couldn't shake for weeks and the need for antibiotics given a minor infection. All combined, these things caused me constant nausea and regular vomitting. The best advice I received was to force myself to drink fluids constantly-- and, to force myself to get in enough protein, much of my fluid intake came from Isopure Zero Carb. Unfortunately, you really do have to force yourself to keep up with the protein and the other fluids. Imagine enduring all you have, being as brave as you've been only to decide now (after you've paid the price) that it isn't worth it to choke down some unappetizing protein drinks. I had mornings, when I all I wanted to do was stay in bed-- I was sick of being light headed and nauseous. But, by forcing in the fluids and by finding a soft food that I could stick with, I was able to speed up my weight loss. And, best of all, being so nauseated by food really went a long way toward breaking the hold that food had had on me-- it truly became utilitarian. I don't know if I would have believed any one telling me, given all you've endured, that it does get better and it is all worth the costs-- but, it does get better and feeling healthy and alive and shame-free far surpasses any good feeling I could have imagined early on. Good luck.

Leslie, I didn't have the serious complications that you had, but I can relate to the dizziness, lightheadedness and shakey feelings. I had surgery on 7/6 and it wasn't until last week that those feelings went away. They have come back a bit this week, but not like before. If you were on BP pills, check your BP, maybe you don't need the pills any more. I was able to get rid of mine quickly...but only after having daily episodes when my BP would drop, making me feel very weak and shakey. Another thing that contributes to those feelings for me was allergies. It's the height of hay fever season now and I wasn't taking my medications. That led me to feeling dizzy. I am still having confusion...more than my old "normal" confusion. I lose things, forget things, much easier than before the surgery. I chalk this up to the effect of anaesthesia and the shock of the surgery/subsequent fast weight loss. Oh, I also still struggle with no appetite-a problem I wished I had prior to the surgery! I get hungry, but one or two bites and I'm not interested anymore and it's a chore to eat. I'm trying to vary my meals to stimulate my appetite! UNHEARD OF! Hang in there baby, we ALL have doubts. You'll do just fine. Call your doctor and let them know what you are experiencing. You need to get the protein in-but the fluids are the most important! You don't mention them, but are you getting your multivitamin and B12 daily? These are critical! Keep us posted on how you are doing.

Hi Leslie, I am sooo sorry that you have had all these problems. I know it must seem never ending. Please please please check with your doctor. There are several reasons for feeling the way you do at this point, some were mentioned already. Definitely have your blood pressure checked and your sugar. Alot of times our bodies are going through such drastic changes that what might have been controlled by meds previously or even considered normal before no longer is the case. I hear you saying that food is not important to you right now and you don't like the protein drinks, however you need to get some nutrients into your system. Starvation mode makes things worse and truly will bring on alot of different systems including nausea. Try eating little bits more often and use spices to perk up the foods that you are eating. There are many types of protein drinks out there and you just need to search for the one that works for you. Have you tried getting a bunch of samples of different ones? You don't need to suffer in silence, again please check with your doctor and try the things people are suggesting. We want you to feel better . Let us know how it is going. Linda