IN PAIN

Yay for Danielle, had my first WLS problem. Not sure what happened or what I've done considering I haven't done anything different, haven't eaten anything new. I had horrible stomach pains last night...felt like my entire stomach was cramped, wrenched in a knot-right in the middle, just below my breast bone. I didn't know what was wrong but my grandmother said something might be stuck in my pouch. Needless to say, nothing alieviated the pain and at some point I fell asleep. This morning I woke up and the pain was gone but as soon as I started drinking my morning coffee, it started again, just not as bad...the knotted cramping kind of like a sore aching. Now I am trying some yogurt to see how it sits before I make any phone calls to Ocala. Any ideas what could be wrong-where did this come from???? Danielle

Danielle, what were you doing when you had the pain. Were you eating? or had you overeaten. I had severe pain in the middle when I ate to fast and did not chew my food well. I had to make myself bring it back up and the pain eased and was gone within an hour. Sometimes I feel quesy now in the am's Nancy

I had eaten about 30 mins. prior to that...nothing more than 1/2 a leftover turkey sandwich that I THOUGHT I chewed well enough but now maybe I'm second guessing myself. I'm usually really careful. I tried to bring it back up and nothing would come up...in fact trying made my stomach wrench even more. So far the yogurt this morning is staying down with no pain. I'm going to get my protein shake started here soon too. Danielle

Danielle, I had the something similar, it started in the ariplane on my way back form my WLS in Brazil, I was 3 weeks post-op. I had this sharp pain in the midle of my chest right below the breast bone, and with time it started radiating to the right. It hurt so bad and sometimes I felt as if I could no longer take a breath without being in pain. I could not drink liquids, they hurt so bad, but I could eat food??!! How weird is tha****er was the worst thing! I made my dad take me to the ER in the middle of the night the day after hurricane Charley. My dad could not figure out what was wrong with me (and he is a Dr.!), we called the surgeon and he told me that was nothing wrong with me, the ER Drs. said there was nothing wrong with me. First they ran a bunch of tests (suspecting pneumotorax), did a ct scan, EKG... blah, blah, blah... they tested for the oxigenation in my blood (that was not fun at all.) Well, I went home undiagnosed (sp?) I finally talked to my nutritionist who told me I was havig ANXIETY, and my esophagus (sp?) was contracting because of it!!??I jsut needed to calm down! I denied it, but now I look back and think she was right, the pain subsided with time... Just one of those things... But u still should call your surgeon... don't go by my experience, we are all different! Good luck, adn keep us posted! - Flávia

You're probably right Flavia...I've had a lot going on recently too. The one thing I can confess is that I haven't been taking as good a care of myself since I've been taking care of everyone/everything else. So far yogurt is down fine and the protein shake is ok. Thanks for the concern Danielle

Danielle - I just got done talking to a buddy that had the surgery about 3 weeks ago. he was concerned about being a little dizzy. I told him the best advice that was given to me. Every day is different and no 2 days are the same. It has been such a fantastic experience but i have learned to expect the unexpected. Some days I'm lactose intolerant and other days I can have milk products without any problem. It is a fantastic voyage but if you get concerned and calling someone will relieve the stress make the call. Don't worry about seeming like a wuss. You are doing great.

Danielle, I dont know what caused your pain, but I wanted to assure you that I have experienced this too. As I get further out from surgery, I uncover little things regarding my pouch that didn't notice before. I guess that is because I am "testing the waters" with more foods and my pouch is probably healed completely now. I have come to discover that diet lemonade or drinking a hot beverage can create a sharp then ongoing dull pain if I gulp and dont sip, sip, sip. I also think sometimes the acid in my tummy can cause me undue discomfort and pain if I eat something that aggrevates it more like citrus or tomatos/sauce. If your pain has continued you should definitely call Dr. Jawad's office and talk to him or the nurse about it. Usually I am able to sleep off the pain and uncomfortability, but that is just my case and I admit it doesnt happen that often. Good luck, girlie! I certainly hope you are feeling better soon. Amy

Danielle, there are about 30 WLS scheduled for Ocala this week, but I would also urge you to call Sylvia. That's what she's there for and I'm sure she would want to know about this. Hope it never happens again, Jan