Home from the Hospital
Friday night my pouch area was very achy and I was having sharp pains. I pretty much just tried to sleep the best I could and hoped the pain would go away within a couple hours. Well, it didn't. I called Dr Valin and he said if it didn't subside by dinner time go to the ER at St Rapheals. Pain didn't get any better so off I went.....
After a LONG and frustrating night of nurse's not knowing anything about bypass patients I am home, still feeling the same. I was sent for a CAT scan. The nurse tried to tell me I HAD to drink the whole quart of barium fluid first. I said that it would take hours for me to drink it all and she said "it looks like you'll have to wait 3 hours then". They wouldn't let me call my family since it was long distance. I finally ended up getting dressed and wanking outside at 12:30am to call my husband in tears!
Dr Valin wanted to look at the CAT scan results himself since the night person only said it was "non-specific inflammation of the abdomen". He looked and could not find a cause either. He said if I could eat my breakfast and my labs were still ok I could go home (9:30am).
When my tray finally came, it was clear liquids. Nothing was sugar free. I was so tired and felt lousy. The nurse insisted that I could eat the "food" without problems and ask who told me I couldn't have sugar after a gastric bypass. I was FURIOUS! I told her Dr Valin, his nurse, the dietician.... I was once again in tears, but they let me call my family so they could come down and wait for my discharge.
Another Nurse called to request a sugar free tray for me. They sent an IDENTICAL tray, but with a sugar substitute for the tea! I couldn't believe it. The new nurse had to call the kitchen supervisor to finally get the right tray (2:30pm). once I ate some she called one of the Drs and said I could go. No paperwork, nothing. I just got dressed and left.
UNBELIEVABLE!
Of course the pain is no better, but at least I know there is no leak or blockage. Dr V thinks something may have gotten twisted, then just untwisted on it's own. If the pain gets worse or does not get better in a couple days I have to go back.
Sorry to ramble but I needed to vent.
Have a great night everyone!
Carmen
Carmen
This incompentance is unacceptable. If they do not know how to do their job then they do not need to be doing their job. I hate people with snippy attitudes. They are there to help you. You should not have to educate them. If it was somebody allergic to something then they would make sure that person does not come in contact with what they are allergic to. I do not see why this is any different. I hope they find out what is wrong.
Toya
Carmen,
I'm glad you're home and hope you start feeling a little better. It was good of you to take concern when you had pain. A lot of these things are normal though, and they don't really know what the causes are. Just keep in touch with Dr. Valin. Unfortunately, the rest of the medical world hasn't caught up when it comes to taking care of us GB patients.
Keep us updated.
Take care,
Michelle
Carmen,
I am sooo sorry that you are having such difficulties. Please however do not sit back and be in pain. That is not normal and I can't believe that Dr. Valin is being so nonchalant about it. I am also sorry that you worried so about the liquids being sugar free. Remember that during the 1st two weeks when we are doing liquids like ensure or boost that they have sugar in them. That doesn't seem to bother most people in that form. If you are still in pain call Dr. Valin back asap and if he gives you no satisfaction call your PCP and maybe go to your local ER. They need to check gallbladder etc. It could be something not related to your bypass but do call Dr. Valin again. Be persistant. Please let us know how you are feeling.
Linda 
Linda,
Thanks for the advice. Dr Valin did seem concerned, it is just one of those weird things where there seems to be no explination... They did the CAT Scan from my diaphram to pelvis and everything looked normal except the inflammation. I will give it until tomorrow, then I will seek further treatment. Hopefully the swelling and pain are gone soon!
As for the sugar, I have pretty much avoided it so far. I didn't even touch ensure or boost because of sugar. I stuck with Atkins and other low carb/ low sugar shakes. I didn't want to test my reaction to sugar there, I just wanted to go home!
Carmen
You are learning what medical care after a gastric bypass is like.
We have to learn that there are hundreds of procedures which medical staff have to deal with and learn about. The protocals for them change from year to year, and even from surgeon to surgeon. Makes it difficult for them ti learn enough to be helpful to anyone.
You did the right thing... SCREAM!!!!! there is no substitute for knowing what you can or cannot do and making sure that whoever is in charge of your medical concerns are as informed. Even the smallest error can be catastrophic to our changes bodies. This is the norm of what we have to face for several years to come.
As a good side to it, when I went to the cardiologist for a follow-up a month ago, he was so well informed about the bypass surgery and the resiults that it was refreshing. I reminded him that less than 2 years ago he knew almost nothing. As he reminded me, that was almost 400 bypass patients through his office alone in the past 2 years. Quantity will drive the improvement in medical care and knowledge. We may be shrinking, but as we do, more people are filling the room!
Now, as far as a twisted/blocked bowel goes.... take care of it immediatly!!!!!! Besides being painful, it can be lethal! Call Dr. Valin and find out the results of your cat scan this morning.
Peter
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