Don't think I will ever recover!!

I am one hot mess!! 

I started having nausea 3 weeks after surgery and it took me almost 4 more weeks of suffering, not eating, throwing up to get a diagnosis.  It is a small ulcer plus my gallbladder needed taken out.  Now, that is done and I am trying to recover from the gallbladder surgery.  I woke up today in less pain and thought it would be a good day- then I ate lunch!  I had an egg w/cheese.  About 1/2 hr after eating I got nauseous and it just got worse..I ended up throwing up, though only a tiny bit of what I ate came up.  Now I just feel really tired and bad.   I am not sure if I was dumping before, I think maybe I was because I got hot and my heart raced.  I hate this.  I don't think any of this is EVER going to stop!!  I want to eat or drink and not feel bad on my stomach!  I want to be NORMAL again.  Maybe I just need reversed and I will stay fat for goodness sake!!  

So sorry things are going so rough for you. Feeling bad for so long really takes a toll on you, but please don't give up. I know it is hard but you are heading in the right direction. (((hugs))) I hope you feel better soon.

yikes that's no fun. It's too bad they didn't know your GB was diseased when they did your RNY they could have removed it then.

I will say this though, I was sick on a daily basis for almost 6 months and I HATED it but i never regretted my choice, I knew that it HAD to get better eventually. And sure enough it did. I'm 11 months out and pretty much "symptom" free of anything. (this has it's downfalls too)

I also use to get very sweaty and racey early on no matter what I ate even if it had the appropriate amounts of sugar/fat in them.

One question, are you drinking when you eat? I was guilty of doing this and Im pretty sure this is what was makeing me feel queasy after meals.

Belinda of all people is a testament to her statements to you.  She has been through quite a lot and has shared her journey with us here.

You WILL recover.  Your body has been through two major operations in the recent past and it is going to take a lot of time to heal, both emotionally and physically.

Once your gallbladder is removed you need to stay on a very low fat diet.  Perhaps the egg and the cheese was just a bit to much fat this early out.

Go back to liquids or pureed for a day or so and see how you do.

Each day you will get better, if only by a small tiny bit (such as not waking up in pain)

I get hot flashes and heart racing when I've eaten to fast or something is somewhat stuck - not only with dumping.  And yes, I'm exhausted afterwards.

You'll get there, as hard as it is to believe right now.

Pam

I don't think I believe you will never recover. I do think you need to complain, vent, heal, get good nutrition info after gall bladder removal and how to eat after RNY with an ulcer. I agree you are a hot mess right now, but you will be better. Our friends have given you food to chew on and support that always helps. The journey can be rocky at first but the challenge you are facing right now can only make you stronger and give you what's needed to make it work long term. That is why we do this, to live better long term taking life one day at a time. Get through today and tomorrow will be better.

Dennis

Aww sweetie - you just had another major operation! I had mine done on monday - thursday I was throwing up so badly that I had to call the surgeon and get an RX for compazine to stop the violent vomiting (I hadn't eaten or drank anything in 12 hours because of it) The ulcer is goint to make you feel like that too - I was in the same boat! Do they have you on carefete for it? If not call and ask about it!

Dumping would be hot and racing heart - maybe the fat in the egg? Eggs STILL get me at least once a month and I am 2 1/2 years out! You are going to be VERY sensitive to fats for a bit until your body figures out how to work without a gall bladder.

I know it is hard but it DOES get better I promise!!! Call me later if you want to talk/cry/yell whatever! 610-462-1204 I get out of work around 4 and spend a good hour in the car.

*hugs* hang in there

No need to go into any further detail as the experts have chimed in... and they all know far more than me but I do want to say HANG IN THERE - IT DOES GET BETTER! I felt nauseaous for the first six months - every time I ate.  I sometimes miss those days ;)
Lou

Thanks everyone.  You know, no one told me how to eat different without a gallbladder.  He told me softs for a couple days at home, but nothing about even lower fats.  I always do a yogurt in the morning and find something soft easy for lunch then supper has been hard on what to eat.  I do only eat a couple bites of whatever because I just get full so easy. Should I call the nutrionist and/or psychologist from our group instead of the Dr maybe?  I am sure it is quite a limited diet losing both a stomach and a gallbladder in the first 2 months!  I think  I will stick to sf popsicles and some broth for awhile!  Thanks again!  My pity party will continue.  :)

Sandra - I'm not a Dr but I've been there - please don't ever hesitate to call or e-mail me!

I would call the nutritionist assocaited with your surgeon. the Dr that removed my GB was NO help - he didn't know much about RNY.

THe galllbladder provides bile from the liver to the intestines. Bile is what helps breakdown the fats in foods. When you eat something more fatty (which we rarely do as post ops but some things are higher in fats) more bile is pumped out to help digest this. Until the body figures out that it has to get the bile from the liver to the intestine on it's own it can almost cause dumping in us. The food will fly right though you if it is more fatty. I lived on a bland diet for about 2 weeks after having my GB out and was literally eating about 1/4 cup of food at a time - I could hardn't drink anything without feeling full. Your body has been through TWO major surgeries in 8 weeks - it was just getting used to the first one and WHAM another one. BOTH which drastically change the way you process / digest food.

I ate a lot of soft, pureed foods in the 2 weeks post-op GB.

*hugs* good luck. And really, I don't mind phone calls! I leave my house for work at 5:30 am and drive for an hour then leave at 4pm and drive for an hour. I am at a desk all day so I check e-mail constantly (just ask Shannon! lol)

Liz

I suggest you call both the nutritionist and the psychologist.  The nutritionist can guide in menu planning now that you are without the gall bladder.  Eggs are probably a no-no, unless you make them without the yolk.  The psychologist can help you work through your mixed emotions, which are totally understandable, and give you some support as you learn to make the lifestyle changes, as well as whine a little because of the unexpected health issues, ie. ulcer and gall bladder.

Feel free to cry on our shoulders.  That is what we are here for.  Many here have been through similar unexpected journeys, and can empathize. 

Hugs,
Trish