X-Post - Why it's important to tell your doctor if something doesn't feel right!

If you want more info on my situation please look at my blog. Basically, I've been having issues for weeks and I just FINALLY got my surgeon to do something about it!

The endoscopy today shows that my small intestine opening is very small. So small he couldn't even fit the endoscope through it. He ballooned it open which then irriated it quite a bit and that revealed an Ulcer on the intestinal wall. He said that is what is causing the constant vomitting and gagging. Gave me a med to take, Zegerid, and to see him in 4 weeks to have another Endoscopy done to stretch it more once the ulcer has healed.

Went to have that filled and IPA doesn't cover it and it's $200 cash at Walmart.....*sigh*

I have been throwing up / gagging since after the procedure....he definately irriated everything.

I hate this, I hate EVERYTHING about this. I hate myself for doing the WLS and wish I NEVER did it.

To top it off, my surgeon, Dr. Siegel, has KNOWN that I've been having issues. I've been telling him for weeks something is not right. He kept insisting it was a normal side effect of the WLS and I'll grow out of it. BULL****! There IS something wrong! I've been in misery for WHAT exactly?!

I am trying to get in to see Dr. Oliphant for a second opinion. My PCP sent over the referral today.

So I have a bad stricture & an ulcer. Yay me...

I am so sorry that you are feeling poorly right now and have been dealing with your health issues. I am happy that you had the sticktuativeness (sp?) to make sure that you were taken care of. What you are going though right now is called "buyers remorse". I promise you that it will get better. I am happy that you are being proactive in seeking a second opinion. With the new doctor change I hope you can get relief from the situation.

Hopefully in the light of the day you will have started to feel better and the meds are taking affect. I am so sorry that I cannot give you a sunshinny day to help brighten your spirits but please know that I am trying to give you it via good thoughts.

Hang in there, Heather. It will get better. Good for you for being your best advocate.

I'll say it again: Weight loss surgery is not for sissies.

Nicolle

Well, then call me a "sissie" because I can NOT handle much more of this! I woke up this morning and was dry heaving for over 30 minutes. If my hubby waited around any longer he would have been late (we work together). I called in and was told I am terminated. There's a second job down the tubes in less than 30 days due to these complications.

What's worse is I KNOW I need some sort of mental counseling and my Surgeon's office doesn't know of any in the area that accept IPA.

This is terrible! I am so sorry that this has been going to badly for you. I do not think that you are a sissie, I think that things have been getting worse and worse and at this point you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Call the IPA and ask them where you can go for counciling. Apply for unemployment! Even if you think you can't or won't qualify, give it a shot. If you get on unemployment you can take the time to recover from this, get counciling and hopefully have a change of heart/outcome from this procedure.

Hang in there!

-Crystal

Thank you, I do plan to apply for unemployment but can't do so until Oct 1st as that is when the new quarter starts. As of right now I don't have any funds available.

~Heather

You are NOT a sissy. You are going through a genuinely difficult time right now--lesser men (and women) would have crumbled by now. It will get better, but you just have to hang on.

Therapy/counseling is great, but even then, you will need to do work to make that successful. Try and take care of yourself as best you can in the meantime. Deep breaths, a walk outside, talking to friends, hanging out on OH, anything that will help you get more "centered."

As to the job, well, it sounds like it was a crappy place to work, anyway, if they can't be more understanding of a health issue. You can and will get a better job.

I did a little online and phone digging and here is some info that may be helpful:

Lake County Health Department (Round Lake location, in the Avon Township Building at 423 E Washington)

847/377-8855

You can call and get an appointrment, they take the IDPA card. The earliest appointment they can give you right now is in the first week of November. HOWEVER, she said that it pays to get yourself an appointment ASAP and then keep calling them back to ask for cancellations, which happen often, and you can probably get in sooner if you can be flexible schedule-wise.

Best of luck to you, Heather!

Nicolle

Nicolle,
Thank you for taking the time to look this info up. I will call them tomorrow. I do have to wonder though, if their counselors are equipped to handle patients that have had WLS....I'd imagine someone who isn't won't know what to say to me.

~Heather

My pleasure. Sometimes it's just hard to look for help on your own when you're in the middle of something crappy.

The woman I spoke with there was sympathetic and said they can help you with "life-changing events like bariatric surgery" and "experiencing health crises."  I can't imagine they get a lot of calls for post-bariatric support, but it does fall under those umbrellas.

If this doesn't work, there is bound to be something else. Just don't give up.

Does your doc have a support group you can attend?

Good luck!

Nicolle

Since this posting I was admitted to the hospital for 4 days for malnutrition. I started fainting again, could barely move, and was unable to eat or drink still even after the endoscopy Monday. They had to put a PICC Line in me and feed me bags of nutrients and sent me back in Friday for another endoscopy. I looked like walking death, my blood levels were bottoming out and my heart rate was at 40 at best, normally 60 and the doctors started really getting concerned. I fear if my surgeon waited much longer to admit me to the hospital what may have happened at home unspervised. 

I asked to speak to a Social Worker because at that point I hadn't eatten or drank in nearly a month (not exaggerating!) They sent one to see me Friday afternoon from the hospital staff.

I burst into tears telling her I couldn't live like this anymore and I hate myself for doing WLS. Her response: "Then demand they reverse the surgery!" ......I promptly asked her to leave my hospital room.