still in pain, and worried

hey everyone, well i had so much shoulder pain and stomach pain today I had to go to the hospital, i had some lab work done and I also had to have some CT scans done . I cant even sleep due to the shoulder pain. also where my drainage tube in on my skin it is leaking and hurting too. However , Im more worried on the fact that I can drink like 4 oz at a time and I dont get sick , I havent thrown up at all. I even ate some applesauce and it didnt hurt me at all. I wonder if my pouch is working. Ive also not lost any weight. Im worried this surgery didnt work. I dont know how to know if it did or not??? I had an xray done and they said my pouch is not leaking , so its not that. Has anyone else had this worry????

Hey Jennifer Don't worry.. sounds like you are normal to me I had horrendous gas pains my first and third week out. First couple of weeks I had to sleep in the guest room because I could not stand the gas pain and tossed and turned all night. Believe me when I say it WILL get better. Seems to me I had the worst day about 3 weeks out...went to the doctor and he told me nothing was wrong. The next day, I felt great and have ever since. I am 8 weeks out now, and still have not thrown up. I can drink more than 4 oz of fluid...but I hear that fluid runs right through you. Make sure you are only eating and drinking what the doctor says though. I sometimes think that I "broke" my pouch, because I have been a slow loser...but I can blame myself for lack of excercise, and have started to include more walking, and am starting some resistance workouts tomorrow night.. Hopefully that will speed things along. Seems like you did the right thing with going to be checked out..but it sure sounds like gas to me. Keep walking walking walking.....that seems to be the only way to get rid of it. Keep the faith... All will be right

The shoulder pain is the worst, isn't it??? There is a nerve that runs from around your diaphragm up through your shoulder. Gas that is still working its way through your body pushes against your diaphragm and aggravates that nerve, giving you the major pains in your shoulder. The first week was heck for me just because of that. Your drain will ooze some, just keep something over it so it doesn't leak through your clothes. Liquids will pass thru your new pouch very easily, but trust me...once you have to eat that scrambled egg (or whatever your doctor says) the first time, you'll know exactly what full feels like. You also have to remember that you were on fluids the whole time you were at the hospital - that tends to "puff" you up for a bit after you come home, but it will subside...IF you try to drink all the water you can. Hope that helps! Amanda

Jennifer, sorry you are not feeling well yet. I agree with the other's, relax..........or try to. Everyone thinks the surgery did not work for them, I think, no, I know, it is a very common, early post-op fear. The shoulder pain..........go****'s pretty bad isn't it. My husband would massage my shoulder and that seemed to help some. If that pain does not let up soon...........BECOME A PAIN IN THE NECK TO YOUR DOCTOR..............DO NOT LET THEM POOH-POOH YOU!!! I'm sure you will be on the mend soon and feeling great. Debbie J Duncan patient 01-14-02 lap-rny 01-15-02 leak repair surgery (non smoker, non steroid taker) 01-29-02 surgery to see if I had another leak, no thank goodness SEVERE COMPLICATIONS!!! 45 days in ICU, 33 days kept alive via ventilator 30 days in a rehab hosptial, had to learn to walk again Now, one happy girl.........LUCKY to be alive

DebbieJ Just wanted to jump in here and tell you HAPPY 2ND ANNIVERSARY!!! You had a rough start but seem to be doing well now right? Good Luck on your continued success!!!!! KathyJ

Thank you Kathy, but it is actually three years. Yes, I am doing well now and thankful for my life and would never wish what my family and I went through on my worst enemy. I still weigh over 200 pounds, but no longer weigh 360 My life has been returned to me, I can do whatever I want to do and everyday is a gift. The one question I am always asked, is would I do it again. My answer is always........YES, in a heartbeat, but this may not sit well with some, but I would choose a different surgeon/practice. Before anyone gets upset with me, remember, this is/was my journey. Thanks Kathy, I wish you much luck and continued success. Debbie J

JENNIFER IM WITH YOU ON THE SHOULDER PAIN IF YOU HAD LAP ITS WHERE THEY GO NEAR THE DIAPHRAM ITS THE SAME NERVE THAT RUNS THROUGHT YOUR SHOLDER I HAD THE PAIN FOR ABOUT A WEEK IN HALF AND THEN IT WENT AWAY I PROMISE IT WILL GET BETTER AND YOU WILL LOOSE WEIGHT ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU CAN START EXERCISING.PLEASE KEEP IN TOUCH AND IT WILL GET BETTER. HUGS DAWN

Hang in there Jennifer, it will get better. We all wonder if it really worked. I had open surgery so I didn't have all the gas pain. If you need anything, just yell. We are all here to help each other. I pray your days get easier. Hugs, Debra =^..^=