Emergency Surgery

Just wanted to let you all know that I have joined the ranks of emergency surgery post bypass. I was in the hospital over the weekend with a herniated bowel, twisted bowel, blocked bowel ... whatever??? ... anyway, seems my hernia decided to act up and allow some (A lot) of the bowel to push through and became strangulated. Then some of the bowel on the inside decided to join in on all the fun. The doc said it was not reduceable without surgery. The pain was sudden and intense. I KNEW there was a problem and for once, I was dragging hubby to the ER. Just an FYI - most everyone in the ER did not know what an RNY bypass was. I had to be on the ready to explain it to them. I called the doc on call and left a message that I was heading to the ER and hoped that he would meet me there. He didn't, the ER staff said that they process me first and then let the docs know if the situation is a true emergency or not. I was taken back almost immediately and they started an IV for pain meds. The pain meds did not begin to touch the pain, but at this point I started violent dry heaves. I was a mess. They finally got me into x-ray, but after that I layed in the ER for several hours without even a doc looking at my buldging hernia/bowel. Finally, hubby flagged down the doc on call and she said that the x-ray showed no blockage or any trouble. Hubby and I insisted that she feel my stomach and she did ... the sec she felt my stomach, she agreed that there was a problem. She called the surgeon on call and he sent in a resident who concured. She sent me for a cat scan and I was admitted immediately. The surgeon on call was in my room almost immediately and had my surgery scheduled within the hour I believe. I was awaken in the OR and felt better right away. As soon as I was in my room from recovery I started walking and was thrilled at how much better I felt. The nursing staff in recovery and on my floor was out of this world wonderful. I was released the next morning and have been home trying to get back up to speed. I am pretty much on restriction for the next two months, but that is not a problem. I don't ever want to go through that again. And I will do whatever it takes not to do it. So the point of this post??? Is to let you all know that you need to make sure you are so very aware of potential post op problems and jump on them immediately. Things could have been a lot worse had I not taken the pain seriously. The poor girl in the bed beside me had her bowel burst and she was in serious condition. Also to let you know that just because someone is in the medical field does not mean they know or understand fully RNY. If you are not already, educate yourself and be prepared to educuate others in the event of an emergency. Likely my complication was not RNY related as I had a huge hernia pre-op that they attempted to "temp fix" during my RNY. But truly we never expected it to hold forever, and it didn't. Bad part about all of this is ... I did not get my tummy tuck with my hernia repair. I asked about it, but the doc laughed and said it is saturday morning and this is emergency surgery. At any rate folks, take good care of yourselves. What a ride eh?

I forgot to say, that I did not lose any bowel with this emergency. A real blessing!

Holy hernias Tammy! I am so glad you are ok, you must have been terrified. Hopefully everything is fixed and staying where it should be at this point. I will definitely keep a good thought for you for a speedy recovery and back to your healthy self as soon as possible. Linda

Wow, Tammy!!!! I am glad that you are doing better. Hoping that your recovery is smooth and problem free. Ken

I don't think I want to be your twin anymore LOL. Glad you are feeling well and sorry you had to join the ranks of the emergency surgery post bypass group. They did warn us about this so I guess we do have to be careful and really pay attention to our bodies now. Yes what a ride huh! Be good and have a Happy and Safe Easter. Hugs from your twin Debbie

Tammy, I am so glad you got to the ER and had that nasty hernia taken care of. I have a list of the folks that have had issues and I am scared. Did the Doc's of CHRIAS get called in for the surgery???? I think if I have any issues I'm not gonna shut up until they are called in for the consult. Sorry the TT didn't get taken care of too. I know that would have been a small consulation prize. Hope you are doing better and will continue to be good. Happy Easter to you and the family. Elissa

Tammy, Wow, I don't hear from you forever and when I do you end up on the disabled list! Get better quickly... Sorry about missing out on the TT. I'm putting my money down on Tuesday to schedule mine with Dr. Malek. I'm figuring late May but I'm worried about being out of commision for too long. Back to you. I hope that you are doing better and get recovered quickly. We were hoping to see you at Victory this Tuesday since the topic is vitamins. Guess that won't happen now. Take good care of yourself so you can of yourself!!! The number of post-operative WLS surgeries is becoming fairly common, and I wonder if anyone is keeping stats on the phenom. Well anyway I miss you and wish you a rapid recovery. Your life friend, Rob DE ObestiyHelp Lead...

Tammi, So sorry to hear about the surgery. I'm going to give you a call this week. Actually I was going to do it last week and didn't, but I did pray for you although I didn't know that you were on the recovery. God has a way of letting us know to lift one another up in prayer. Hope you are doing better. Sorry to say that I, too, have had to have a small repair done (adhesions). But it was a quick recovery. Have a nice Easter, and don't let those "peeps" get you this year. You've come too far to give into those little marshmellow monsters. God bless, Faye

Oh my gosh, Tammy. Glad you went and had it checked out. Glad it didn't ruin your bowel, that is a blessing. Wishing you well. Anything I can do...? Take care of yourself, Diane

HUGS HUGS HUGS You all are so very great!!! Thanks so much for you care and concern. I am doing well, see my post to Linda just above. Perhaps we can all get together soon ... would love to play catch up with you all. Rob, congrats on the TT. Would love to hear more about it if you are up to sharing ... email me if you are. I am so excited to hear of your great news. The final chapter ... well deserved my dear friend!!! I would love to make it to the vitamin meeting - but Tuesdays are never open for me. Sigh ... Elissa, yes I called CHRIAS first thing when I realized I had a problem. Got a machine so I left the message that I was heading to the hospital. I expected that the doc would be there when I got there. He was not. The ER staff said that they triage me and then inform the doc whether or not I am an actual emergency. While waiting for them to make their decision (hours) hubby called the doc back. He sent up a resident to see me. This happed about the same time the ER doc was pulled into the room by hubby. Everything happened fast at that point after MUCH waiting with no information. No need to be scared E ... you are no more at risk after WLS than you were after your previous hernia repair. Once you no longer have a virgin abdomen, our risk rises for complications such as these. BUT, I truly do not think they can attribute my problem to RNY, even though RNY can be the cause of the very same problem. Make sense? If you need to talk, give me a call. Deb ... sure ... wanna be my twin when the going it good but one little bump and a snip snip and off you go... Just joking ... I don't want you or anyone else to go though this either!!! Faye, Thanks so very much for your prayers. Truly I have said it is was only by the grace of God that I was as fortunate as I was. Now about those peeps ... yes they mocked me, but this year, I simply bit one of their old hard heads off!!! Haha ... and presto ... no more mocking!!! Who knew it would be so easy??? Looking forward to chatting with you. Dianne, Again, you are so sweet ... thanks so much for your offer. But truly I am a spoiled woman at the moment. My family and church family has put me on a pedistool and are waiting on my hand and foot!!! Who knew a little bit of surgery would net so much attention!!! My mom said that I am NOT allowed to have more surgery just to continue the attention!!! Ken, Thanks for your concern ... sure hope you have finally decided to take some time for yourself and relax. I worry about you. You NEED to slow down. Hugs to each and every one of you ... all are aces in my book!!!