WLS NOT SO GREAT SO FAR BUT NOT REGRETING IT YET

HI MY NAME IS KRIS AND IM FROM UPSTATE NY NEAR ALBANY I HAD MY SURGERY JULY 18TH AND IVE LOST ABOUT 35 POUNDS POST OP SO FAR BUT NOT EASILY AT 2 WEEKS OUT I DEVELOPED SEVERE LEFT LOWER STOMACH PAIN COULDN'T GET AHOLD OF MY SURGEON FOR NOTHING SO I CALLED MY PRIMARY AND HE SAID GET THERE ASAP SO HE SAW ME IN THE OFFICE AND ADMITTED ME FOR FURTHER TESTING AFRAID OF A INFECTION OR SOMETHING WORSE THERE I WENT THROUGH ALOT OF TEST THEY ALL CAME OUT NEGATIVE WHICH WAS A RELIEF IT WAS JUST A INFLAMATION OF THE ABDONMINAL WALL WHICH LATER ON THE PHONE MY PRIMARY DR FOUND OUT THAT THE SURGEON HAD BLOWN MY STOMACH UP WITH ALOT OF EXTRA GAS DURING SURGERY SO HE COULD SEE BETTER STRETCHING IT OUT CAUSING ALL THIS SO NOW IM STUCK IN THE HOSPITAL FOR 4 DAYS WITH IV'S IN BOTH ARMS WITH FLUIDS ANTIBIOTICS AND PAIN MEDS THAT I CAN ONLY HAVE IV BECAUSE THEY IRRITATE THE POUCH THAT WE CALL A STOMACH NOW IT WAS HORRIBLE NOT ONLY THAT IM IN A HOSPITAL THAT KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT GASTRIC BYPASS SO MY FAMILY HAD TO BRING MY FOOD FROM HOME HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE. WELL EACH DAY AS IM TAKING MY PILLS I NOTICE THEY ARE GETTING HARDER AND HARDER TO GET DOWN AND THE LARGER ONES ARE GETTING STUCK IN MY THROAT AND WONT GO DOWN AT ALL AND WONT COME BACK UP SO IM HAVING MASSIVE PAINS IN MY CHEST BECAUSE THEY ARE STUCK . ANYONE EVER HAD THIS HAPPEN ? I WENT TO THE NUTRITIONIST AND SHE IS SENDING ME FOR A SWALLOW STUDY THIS WEEK BECAUSE NOW ITS HAPPENING WITH SOME FOODS LIKE SCAMBLED EGGS AND BANANNAS ...

Kris - I live in the Capital District but my surgeon is back in Utica; it's not uncommon for hospitals where your surgeon doesn't practice to be not only unfamiliar with your surgeon's policies, but because each surgeon has their own procedure/preferences, they often end up not doing what your surgeon would want. The best bet, and one that I've always had as my plan, is to head BACK to the hospital where you had the procedure, so that not only will the hospital follow the correct procedures, but the nurses & staff are familiar with the way the surgeon does things. I'm sorry you're having such a hard time; I would recommend getting back in touch with your surgeon as soon as possible and if necessary, getting transferred back to Albany Med (or whereever Dr Singh is practicing now). You might be developing a situation where the stoma (hole at the bottom of the pouch) is starting to form scar tissue or close - this is something you need to see your surgeon about as soon as possible, because it can lead to other problems, and only your surgeon can tell for sure. Any time you are having problems, you really need to get in touch with your surgeon or the surgeon he/she has covering for them, ASAP - and again, I strongly recommend going to the ER only at the hospital where you had the procedure done, if possible. Please keep us posted as to how you're doing - you'll be in my thoughts and prayers.. ...Nick

Kris, I just wanted to let you know I'm sorry you are having a hard time.....How wrong of your surgeon not to get back in touch with you....I think it's good that you are going for a swallow test to see what's going on. I too cannot swallow pills...especially the calcium ciltrate that my surgeon recommended...it gets stuck right in my chest....so I do know that yucky feeling. I hope you feel better soon. Janean

Hi Kris, I believe we met at the hospital ! I was wondering how you were doing ! You shared a room with my daughter . I am sorry to hear you are having such a hard time . You are a very strong person .. I could tell when meeting you ! Your right the hospital you were in does'nt know diddly about gasric bypass patients ! Did you ever get a hold of Dr. Singh ? I know it is a long ways for you to travel to go to Albany Med . but if I were you I would go there if I had any more problems .. as that is were your surgeon is located. Sometimes the hospitals around our area tend to make things worse for their patients.. Believe me I know this from experience ! I hope you feel better soon .. HUN .. Hang in there , I'm sure it will get better . Congrats on your 35lb loss ! Carol

Maybe you should make an appointment with dr Singh and discuss all your issues.. Its very difficult when you are 45 minutes from where you had your surgery but maybe if you have to go to the hospital and can tolerate the ride you should make the drive to AMC. Sorry to hear about all your problems, I hope they find out whats causing all your pain and discomfort. Feel better