Gallbladder Surgery Complication - Long VENT

Yesterday morning at 7:30am I had surgery to remove my gallbladder at Florida Hospital Celebration Health. It was over in 40 minutes. **I was discharged from the hospital at 10:30am,** a scant three hours later. I had heard that I might go home the same day, but three hours later? The surgeon did NOT come to see me either pre-op or post-op, either. I was given a scrip for Tylenol w/Coedine elixer for pain management. I took the 2T (directions, every 6 hours for pain) at 1:00pm. By 3:00pm, I had intense gas pain. After my RNY I had it in my left shoulder; after the GB sugery it was stabbing in my right shoulder and also in one of the GB incision sites. I was in complete and utter agony. I couldn't take more Tylenol with Coedine yet, so I called the surgeon for guidance. I was told that he was in surgery and would call me back. So I quietly suffered for two hours. I walked. By this time I had taken three Gas-X. I sipped a cup of warm herbal tea. Tried (unsuccessfully) to move my bowels and burp. By 5:50pm I was quite literally howling in agony. No position was tolerable, never mind comfortable. Tears were streaming down my face. My DH called the surgeon back (who had yet to return my first phone call). We were directed to go to his hospital's ER, 30 minutes away. My mother (a retired RN) told me to take more of the Tylenol w/Coedine before the trip - there was no way that I could make it without another dose. I protested, but DH insisted (thank GOD for my DH!!) We arrived at the ER at 6:30pm and was triaged right away. At 7:45pm (and still in the waiting room), DH went to see what the hold up was. The surgeon had *finally* called the ER staff back with directions. I couldn't believe that he wasn't going to come in - I *never* saw this man today (while conscious)! Unbelievable. I was ushered into a testing room (the ER was packed to the gills) and they started an IV with pain med. I don't remember the name of the med, but the wonderful RN told me that it was stronger than Morphine. The pain was starting to become tolerable, but not manageable yet. The surgeon had ordered a CT scan of my abdomen. I was to drink 64 ounces of red fluid. I asked if I had to drink it all - hello? The surgeon knew I was a RNY patient with diminished pouch capacity. Yes, was the answer - and I had to gulp/drink it quickly. I couldn't speak. My on-the-ball DH then asked if there was sugar in it. Yes, was the answer. I said NO WAY, and briefly explained about dumping. The doc in the ER then overrode the surgeon's orders and ordered X-Rays to confirm gas. No problem - and they were positive for gas pockets. The surgeon called the ER and wanted to speak with me. He told me that he had done "thousands" of these operations and I "was the *only* one who ever had to revisit the ER for gas pain." I was astounded - pain is incredibly individual! Tolerable to one person is agony to someone else. And I have an average to above-average pain tolerance threshold! He was a condescending jerk. To make along story short (too late), he said that he was *not* going to send me home with any other pain medication. He'd order one more of the super shot (the one stronger than Morphine) but that was it. My option was to stay in the hospital and have the sugar-laden CT scan. When I again said NO (and why), he informed me that he had done "more gastric bypass surgeries" than my RNY surgeon and that "he knew what he was doing." Note: When my RNY surgeon referred me to this guy, I was warned that he had a "disconnect between his brain and his mouth" and that he could be perceived as insensitive - but had excellent physical surgical skills. I was also told that he had done three (3) RNY's before deciding against adding them to his repertoire. FYI, I heard that my RNY surgeon (Dr. Keith Kim) is one of ten people in the US that can teach the RNY/DS. He knows his way around a gut. But I digress. I was *stunned*. Now, my husband is a rocket scientist at Cape Canaveral (no joke). He is very even-keeled in all types of stressful situations. He lost it. When the nurse came in, he asked to see the patient ombudsman ASAP. The nurse asked if there was anything that she could do to help. I calmly told her about the surgeon's phone call. She was very professional, but we could tell that even she was stunned - she had seen me doubled-over in triage earlier. The next thing I knew, I had a prescription from the ER doctor for Percocet - he was amazed that I wasn't being sent home with anything stronger than Tylenol 3 when the X-Rays revealed obviously painful gas pockets. He was not going to send me home when in two hours I'd be in agony again. At midnight, I took a Percocet for the returning pain. I know that my body will get rid of the gas in 24-48 hours. When the gas is gone, I am planning on flushing the remaining Percocet. I just couldn't get to sleep tonight/this morning without venting about this situation. Rest assured (excuse the pun) I will be speaking to my RNY surgeon *and* the patient ombusman first thing this morning. What a horrible experience. I am thankful - very thankful - for my DH, Mom, and the professional hospital staff who jumped in to help me. Good night, all. Kristen Lap RNY 10-25-04 278/181/120

Just to warn you that when that gas finally blows watch out because after my GB surgery the gas smelt so bad that I wanted to leave the room I prayed the nurse wouldn't come in. I have never smelt anything soo bad in my life. LOL Anyway, the surgeon really sticks! I would really raise some heck about being shoved out the door and his rudeness!!

my mouth can not shut... im soo soryy you went threw all this

wow, what an experience!!! I hope you feel better, and I pray God's hand of healing upon you. What a great famly you have! Blessings, Tami

Rude does not even say what this Doctor is. I have come across them before and just want to strangle them. Hope by now you are feeling much better!! Let us know what happens. Phyliss

Kristen, I'm soooo sorry that you had such a miserable experience and nasty surgeon. I, too, would complain to the ombusman & the RNY surgeon about this clod's insensitive & idiotic response! Asking you to "gulp" 64 oz. of anything, sugary or not, is insane for a RNY patient!! You're lucky to have family to watch out for you when you were occupied by the pain! Hang in there and hope you're feeling MUCH better now! Vickie J. PS - Tell your RNY doc that "excellent physical surgical skills" don't make up for being a complete jerk!!

Wow is right! Sorry to hear about your experience. Glad your feeling better. We (all) are worth having a doctor who is not only skillful and competent, but one with a good bedside manner! Can you share with me who the guy is? so I never end up with him Take Care

Thank you everyone for your thoughtful replies. The surgeon's nurse called me twice today - he didn't even have the guts to call himself! I told the nurse to stop calling me. She kept asking me "what happened, why are you so upset" questions. They still want me to come in and do the CT scan. Unbelievable. The second call was about the surgeon wanting me to come in on Tuesday. I told her, "Please remind Dr. X that I had general anesthesia yesterday and thus, I cannot drive." What do you all think - two calls within two hours...is he nervous, or what? I sure would be. I have a call in to the hospital's chief of surgery, and I called Dr. Kim. I am *still* stunned. Kristen

Kristen - having gallbladder surgery myself just a week ago I can REALLY understand!!!!! My mom wanted me to have that done by a local doctor - but they couldn't even diagnose that I HAD gallstones in the first place. I was correct to go back to my surgeon (which I happen to have an appt that following Monday) and tell him I had just spent 24 hrs in the hospital getting tests done and no one could find anything but "sludge". Well needless to say - he said I had the gallstones and it had to come out. My story is a bit different because I had to drive to Ocala - be there at 5:30am and not get taken in to get the surgery until almost 12:30 - 1pm. My surgeon which is the RNY surgeon didn't come to see me preop nor postop - apparently this is a common practice - since you had the same story. I had incredible pain and the ones who were unsympathetic were the nurses at the hospital but there I was having the surgery about 1pm and I was out the door by 5pm. After I was able to go to the bathroom and after they gave me a pain pill and I felt better. I don't remember buying pain meds after my RNY but after this surgery I sure bought pain meds, and used it quite frequently. I didn't know that the pain I was experiencing was gas..but I can understand and feel your pain because I must AGREE with you that that PAIN is AWEEEFULLLLLLLLL. I wouldn't wi**** on my worst enemy. And it was multiplied by 10 for you. I'm soo sorry!! Unfornately after 4 days I was doing much better though I had a bit a pain this past Monday but yesterday I saw my doc and he okayed me to go to work/exercise. Girl, I was already driving and going back to work on Monday! So fortunately for me I had a speedy recovery, even though the Recovery nurse was not as pleasant. However, your experience was more severe and that surgeon should be reprimanded for such behavior. He needs to be reminded about the oath he took. I hope you're doing better today!!

Kristen, that's one awful story and an even more awful experience for you! I'm so sorry, but it sounds like you got through it finally and for that, we're all relieved. I would be interested in knowing Dr. Kim's reaction! Thankfully if my GB ever acts up, I can have my bariatric surgeon take care of it for me, as he is a very active general surgeon in addition to his bypass patients. Jan -100 lbs.