Jess and Mickey???

Anyone know how Jess is doing? I just realized that it has been enough time for us to hear something about her and we haven't.

I also know it's a little early since Mickey was today, but any info on her?

Hi Kathy,

I got home yesterday.  Dr. R kept me a few additional days due to my blood levels being in the tubes.  Never fully recovered my counts from last spring's medical issues.  (Even with taking iron.)

My surgery was a little over 5 hours.  Dr. R is talking about possibly one more to clean everything up.  :(  However he's accomplished alot & wants me to heal & see how I do with what he's taken care of. 

I'm VERY swollen in my lower abdomin.. I look very pregnant.. he's concerned as it's not normal & believes there is something else going on internally which he may need to get to.  It's not IV fluid build up.. which is in my legs. 

Long story short... my intestine that was to be fixed in April during the last round appears that it wasn't touched.  It was twisted.. found another kink... LOTS of adhesions..something from the original WLS wasn't done correctly & he took care of that..he had an assistant Dr help him with the lap surgery he came in & told me I was a MESS... (layman's terms) 

Alot more was done.. but this was the basic rundown of what I could remember when I wasn't hitting my "happy button" for pain.. LOL.. 

My Dr does not like how my WLS looks.. it's not "correct" however he didn't want to touch it as he did so much fixing of concerns.  He again wants to see how I do before we decide what the next step is.   

On the good side.. I've followed the rules to the "T" & my pouch is very very small the size of a golf ball (maybe a little smaller) nice to hear at almost 4-years out. 

I did see Jess she stopped in for a visit after my surgery.  She's very dehydrated & struggling with fluid intake.  I'll let her share her story & findings.  VERY interesting and I don't want to overstep my boundaries with her situation.  I'm sure she'll share once she's up & running a bit more.  

I'm on my 1 oz every 15 minutes for drinking.. LOL... I forget how hard it is to keep up with it.  LOL.. I'm doing ok with it.  I'm on clears & protein shakes until futher notice my follow-up is next Wednesday.  I notice if I do more than the 1 oz.. it hurts like crazy & my insides starts to spasm...not pleasant.

Dr. R is calling me today to see how I am.  He  released me yesterday  because I went up a point in my blood levels.. that's a good thing.. but still very tired.. very dizzy.. & weak.  He said it'll take a few weeks to feel normal with my energy.  The bloated belly is a concern.  

That's about it where I'm at.  Dr. R is showing me pictures of my insides when I see him next week.  I was too out of it to really understand everything.  He did show my Hubby & Son his findings & it wasn't pretty.

Hopefully you all will hear from Jess soon.  

Thanks to everyone for your well wishes, good thoughts & prayers.. I feel like I have a turning point in a positive upswing with my health.  A wonderful Dr.  (He is over the top thorough) & the nurses on the floor I was on love his attention to details & caring he gives his patients.. 100%.  Nice to hear. 

I can't wait till I'm fully on my feet & starting the "eating process" again to see if there's a difference or not.  I'm scared to try though.  It's been a LONG haul with getting fixed.. & possibly another surgery if I'm still struggling.(I really hope not.)

Well going to take a LOOONG hot shower (there's no place like home!) and keep drinking my 1oz's... LOL.. 

Hugs gang,
Mickey  

   

Sorry to hear you might not be 100% fixed. Good thing is that you are on the way to getting there. Glad the things that "were taken care of" really are taken care of now.

 Mickey, Hopefully hour long journey has just taking a turn for the better. Although you may have a few issues left to deal with it sounds like things will be better.

Take care and enjoy being home.

Nancy

Hi Mickey,
I'm glad to hear that it's over and done with (hopefully) and that you're home and healing.  Dr R sounds like a very smart and knowledgable surgeon.  You're lucky to have found him.

What would have caused your intestines to do these twisting and kinking things?  It's so weird.

I hope and pray that you don't have to go in again, but if you do, you know you're in the right hands.

Rest and heal up...Is your BP up?  Is that what's causing the fluid in your belly?  How will you know what that is and what it's all about?

Keep sipping and hang in there...you'll be tip top shape in no time...and you can begin again...

regards,
paula

Hi Paula,

I spent the day at the hospital Monday with hubby having tests & blood work done.  Dr R was very concerned about the bloating.  C-scan was inconclusive.. I'm way to swollen on the insides right now to be certain what else is going on.  One very angry belly right now..

Not sure what caused all the twisting.. however I can say that the original surgery I had was done incorrectly or missing steps that he had to readjust & fix so I'm sure that didn't help.  He didn't touch my pouch however doesn't like how it looks or is sitting but wants to see how things progress once I'm healed up.  (Doesn't look normal for a layman's term & probably causing some of my issues.)

My blood pressure is actually on the low end due to my blood counts being shot.  I'm not internally bleeding anywhere (thank God) but never fully recovered my levels from my internal mess last spring & bleeding.  My counts were on the low end last week when I had the surgery.

I'm having a very bad day with fluids today.  My pouch & left side where the blind end is is killing me today.  I haven't heard from Dr. R today (he's been calling daily) but if it continues will definately check in with him tomorrow.  Nausea is wrecking havioc today too.  

I can't even describe the burning feeling.. it's intense almost like having an "internal sunburn".

Not sure where this will end up I'm praying no more surgery.. but at the same time just want everything taken care of.  I'm afraid of going into the soft stages of food due to how I'm feeling now.  I'll stay on liquids as long as I can at this point.  Especially after today.. hurts like heck.  The burning isn't "acid reflux" it feels almost exactly the same as before I went in last week.  

I'm definately in good hands with Dr. R & I'm grateful that he took on my mess.. :-)  He's definately an  & covered alot of incomplete areas that could have been resolved last April with the other surgery.    

I'm trying to stay positive through all this as attitude is 1/2 the battle with recovery.. however Monday was the 1st day I EVER regretted my WLS in almost 4 years. . & it's mostly because of the original way it was handled.. & the mess from last spring (sigh)  this will pass & soon I'll be able to look at this as another tremendous obstacle that I've overcome in my life.. as a growing experience.     

I have to remind myself that I've "played by the rules" for just about 4 years & that what has happened to me was out of my control, I'm not a failure with the WLS.. It failed me.. & only because of the way it was handled.  I've been very successful with maintaining & keeping weight off.. I need to keep focusing on the positives.  

I'm seriously thinking of getting a little counceling over this.. as I have so much resentment built up & I know it's not healthy.  (no shame in my game to say this outloud.)
 
I want to thank you Paula & so many others for being so kind & supportive towards me this past year.. it's been a LOONG road for me & I appreciate the well wishes, private emails of encouragement & concern & sharing.  

Ya'll are the best & I'm grateful, this site is an extended family to me.
Hugs,
Mickey  


 

Can you spell....L A W S U I T  ? ? ? ?
Get a good attorney that specializes in medical malpractice.  Gosh, that other surgeon should be stopped, but, he daily does more and more surgeries...

I remember one time asking Dr Aranow why he does an open RNY and not a lap one...and he told me, "It's because I can see inside at what I'm doing and when a surgeon does it by laproscope, steps have to be missed to do it with the insturments..."  He also told me that he can just reach his hand and fingers up and into the pouch, and feel how big it is, how big the stoma is and test it according to the size of his pinkie, etc.  This is why he opts for the open.  I'm now wondering if your initial surgey when done by lap had those missing elements that needed to be done, and would have been done if an open surgery was performed...especially by that surgeon...

You know what my nephew has told me regarding the feelings of the nurses on the surgery floor about your first surgeon...they dislike him and dislike having to have his patients because 9 out of 10 times there is an issue or problem involved.

Does he still operate out of St Francis?  I hope not.  But, those poor one where he is now.

Hang in there...remember, he flipped and flopped and tossed your intestines around like a salad...that causes a LOT of swelling, plus the gas to pump up your belly so he could see in there...but, if he believes it's from something else, he'll find it when that surgery swelling goes away.

I think of you and say a prayer for you too.  I hope that you are ok and hang in there...

If you need anything, don't fail to ask, ok?  I'm in Windsor and am out your way often for shopping.

Hang in there.

Paula


Paula

thanks for updating about your surgery. I have been saying prayers for you and your speedy recovery. One step at a time . Glad to hear the labs are getting better.
sip,sip, sip and walk when you can.
Kathy