severe complacations do happen

I want to share my story so pre surgery people will be informed.  Before my surgery I read all I could and went to support meetings. I felt i was really informed of what my G.B.P. was all about.  Sure I read there could be complacations  or even death,but that just kind of went over my head.   I had my G.B.P. on Nov. 15 at Fairview Southdale. It seemed to have went well, but I did lose alot of blood and had to have 4 units given to me.  I went home to St. Peter and felt ok.  Then in about 10 days I started to feel weak. I got weaker and weaker. To the pointI could barly walk or even hold my head up.  I went to the Dr. and he said since i peed last night I wasnt dehyerated and my blood count was good. That I should go home and drink more water. I told him I needed to be in the hospital but he said insurance would not pay for my complaints.  I left there and told my son to take me to the hospital.  They put a I.V. in me right away and said my white count was very high. They did a cat scan and told me something was not right. So they called my surgen and I was on my way from Mankato to the cities in a amplance?? (no spell check). I was in surgery a few hours later.  They sliced me open and removed a absessed blood clot about the size of a grapfruit.  I was in I.C.U. for 6 days.  Then back to a room where I then got a C Def infection. I was in the hospital for 15 days.I'm now home and doing better each day.  I came very close to being that 1 in 150 deaths. I never dreamed that I would have a major complacation.  Im not yet ready to say Im glad I had the surgery. I just ask my self why did you do this to my self.  I'm not at all trying to tell any one not to have the surgery.  I just what to say severe complacations do happen .

I am truely sorry that you had to go thru this!  I for one have learned that we are our best advocate when it comes to our health.  I am glad that you are on the mend.   Here's hoping that things go smooth from here on out and that you'll join us here more often!  HUGZ

It's a good thing you went with your instincts and went to the hospital yourself. You know when something isn't right. I'm suprised your Doctor didn't listen to you better seeing as you had complications during surgery. You didn't make a bad choose on surgery maybe just a bad choice on Doctors.

((((hugs))) While I didn't have an abcessed blood clot, I did get c.diff after surgery.  Not fun at all.  Glad to hear you're home and on the mend.  Unfortunately, complications DO happen.  Kudos to you for following your gut and going to the hospital.  Shame on your primary doc for not admitting you!! Hugs, Megan

So Sorry that you have had such a rough time of it!  Glad that you are on the mend!  Thanks for sharing your story with us.  I appreciate your honesty.... 

Im so glad your on the mend too..... I had my surgery 3.5 years ago and I too had some pretty major complications that led me to be hospitalized for 2 weeks as well.... boy did I ever question my choice,  and even being this far out I still on occasion question my choice but let me tell you there s a light at the end of the tunnel... you will be feeling better and  you will be content with the choice you made.... It'll never be water under the bridge because what you had to deal with was really darn scary and pretty rare I'm imagining....  Share the story of your journey because  the good the bad and the ugly need to be shared... but please do share those victories and  ah ha moments  along your journey as well!!!  I hope 2008 is a wonderful year for you!!! Aimee

So sorry to hear you had such a hard time with this so far. I truly hope that things get better from here on out. Good luck! Lori

I am so sorry things started out so badly for you. I hope you will eventually change your mind about having the surgery.  You have gone through hell and definately have the right to feel that way. Shame on your doctor...I would be giving him a piece of your mind. He needs to know how serious the situation was and that you almost died. I would report his conduct to the state medical board as well as the board at his clinic. They need to contact him and make sure he is taking things moore seriously and not so darn worried about money!! I am ashamed of him!! Please continue to post and let us know how you are doing. We really do care!  I pray your journey is an easy and less complicated one. Hugs, connie d

That is very scary.... although I worry you are scaring pre-ops, when a blood clot could happen with any surgery.  The scary thing is the Dr. that blew you off. I wish you had more in your profile about yourself  :) I hope everyone reading this realizes that blood clots could happen during any surgery,  and listening to your bodies clues that somthing is wrong is vital. But please remember its not the fault of WLS its the fault of a surgery ...  WLS has been a godsend for many people... Good luck to you Healing vibes  Linda

Linda has a great point!!  I also went to your profile to learn more about you.  Yes, complications do happen but as Linda said that is in ANY surgery.  And I have had my fair share of surgeries.  I was a little confused also:  the doc who sent you home instead of hospitalizing you was that your surgeon or an ER doc or your PCP???   AND, believe me, everyone here knows my ER struggles and insurance DOES play a big role in whether you get hospitalized or not.  I know I posted earlier but I just wanted to come back and see what the others have said and then say again I am sorry that you had this bump in the road and am glad that you are mending and hope that you can someday be happy that you had the surgery!  Come around and share and get the support you need from the awesome people here on this board!! Hope to see ya around more!!   Healing hugs and prayers!