Surgery with an ulcer?
Well I have good news and bad news. Good news: my insurance approved the DS and I'm scheduled for December 18th! I worked with my job and was able to get all of the time off I need! Bad news: I think my surgery has a pretty good chance of being cancelled.
When I had my preop EGD/Colonoscopy I was told they found a small ulcer. But wasn't told to start any meds at that time. When I went in for my follow up I met with my surgeon's fellow who told me the ulcer was smaller than a dime was very shallow. It wasn't bleeding or even red or "angry looking." It's located about 1cm away from my pyloric valve. He did tell me to start Prilosec (OTC) and that was it. I asked if surgery was still a go and be said he thought it would be ok but that I may need to have another EGD. Well, they called last week and told me that my surgeon wants to do another EGD. I'm scheduled for Tuesday.
I'm concerned that this will cause my surgery to be cancelled after working so hard to orchestrate things just so! I know that if it is cancelled it will be so for my safety, but I'll still be pretty frustrated. Has anyone heard of someone undergoing the DS or a VSG with an ulcer? I think my problem is location, location, location! If it wasn't so close to the pylorus they could probably cut it out with the gastrectomy. Because of where it is I don't think he can do that. I was negative for H. pylori and have never had stomach pains until after they took a biopsy.
In any case, thanks for reading this and I'll appreciate any insight people have to offer!
I am sorry for no responses. I am a nurse but have no clue about this as my background is mainly elderly in an ICU environment. I assume if the MD was concerned he would tell you and the fact he has not may be good news. If however they do cancel I think your thought process is a healthy one and if it is for your own good then that is best. Reality if you were able to plan it once you can again. It is so hard when you have something planed that you are excited about to be canceled. I feel for the anxiety you must be having not knowing if it is going to take place. I wish you the best of luck and you will be in my prayers that all works out in your favor.
Donna
Thanks for your reply! My EGD is today so hopefully I'll have some answers later on. I'm hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. You're right, I'm sure I'll be able to make an arrangements for time off from work, etc. If it is canceled I know it's because the surgeon has my best interest in mind and that's what really matters.
Congrats I am so happy for you.......................... I have connected with a couple of new folks in the last week and I responded to someone and thought you might benefit from my reply as it might include things you would not think to ask. If however it is not helpful no harm done just dismiss I would rather you be prepared then not.
I have not had many problems so I am not sure I am the right one to ask because for the most part I have had a cake walk. Honestly the first 6 months my stomach was the most sensitive but nexium twice a day took care of that.
It was an adjustment to get use to not eating carbs as it seemed like post ds when ever I was thinking o*****o food it would end up being a carb so I had to rewire my brain sort of speak.
On a couple of occasions early on I had some abd cramping not sure if my inside were simply getting use to it self. I did lay on the sofa for a few minutes and it passed. I was lucky my first 6 months following this procedure I worked from home.
I had a problem making it to the bathroom twice post op but I have changed my diet and now I am very regular and it certainly is no longer diarrhea. The simple change was heavy cream in place of milk in my shakes.
The only other problem I can think of was early on I had a hard time swallowing the iron pill as it had such an awful smell but someone told me about another kind which I get on amazon and that took care of that.
Oh I forgot early on if I ate to much I would vomit but it was nothing violent but now I have gotten to know when to cut myself off.
Almost omitted the fact I did have hair loss during the 3 - 6 month period but I had a lot of hair to begin with and now I have a normal amount of hair and it is a lot faster to blow dry for work.
The only other down side is the number of vits we must take daily but that is what we each signed up for, I knew if I had the DS I would no longer be heavy but I also would not absorb my vits as I use to since I like the idea of sight and bones and teeth and skin I take the vit rather then running into problems. I did not however take the vits until I was 90 days out.
Cost obviously the vit, shakes and labs but I spent far more money when I was heavy on food and clothing as I was never happy with what I was wearing and the cost of one gimmick after another including the lap band to lose wt.
Now the positives I feel good in my own skin even if it dry at this moment but I am working on it. I no longer feel like I am the person who sticks out in a room. My back feels much better without the extra wt, I actually exercise now and enjoy it. I am able to keep up with my 11 year without any problems. I personally feel attractive once again. Yes I am aging but I feel I am aging gracefully which would of happened with or without the ds except without it I did not feel very graceful.
So at this point and I am early on I do not feel like I traded one set of problems for new.
Hope this helps
Donna
Fat helped to regulate my bowel habits, it helped to switch from milk to heavy cream now I am regular. Once you are back to work wear a pad just in case you have an accident. Pack some always pads flushable wipes ziplock bag and extra underwear if you soil yourself you can change the pad and use the wipes in the event it it messy then put the panites in the ziplock bag and toss it will reduce the smell as it is sealed. Like clock work use nexium or the gereric form from Costco as it will help so much, Someone on here suggested I do 30 days of flagyl to get rid of the odor have the script have not started it so I can not respond on that. 8 drops of the following will remove the odor from your stool I purchased it from amazon. If I think of other stuff I will let you know just remember to keep coming back to this site as this and facebook for beginners is the best I have found.
It says 2 drops which may be fine for a non dser I read on here to use 8 and it does work in fact my dgt asked me to if I use her bathroom:) I bought a pack from amazon and I have it in both bathrooms and I carry one in my purse. I only use it if I am going to be in an embarrassing situation other wise I don't.
Donna
Oh learn from my mistake buy small trial amounts of protein shakes I know vitalady has them and I am sure other places do as well............. for some reason your taste buds change and what taste good now may not for 6 months in my case. I finally got rid of a huge 5 pound strawberry protein shake tub to the people across the street as I never found it to taste good and I was tired of storing it. 50 bucks down the drain. Vit I did not start taking until 90 days out however I think it is suggested to do it sooner but not immediately after surgery so you have some time.
Donna
