Still not doing so well....

Hi all, I wanted to give you an update on my condition. I'm a little under a month out and have had a really hard time. I'm always exhausted and can barely eat anything. I started slipping into depression so I called the dietician (we playfully call her Diet Debbie) Debbie Petipain and told her what was going on. I attended the "transitioning to solid food" course a week ago and talked to her then about my lack of eating. She gave lots of good suggestions but nothing seemed to work. Anywho, she referred me to the shrink working with the program and that helped alot. Dr.B's nurse was a bit concerned as well when I told her that everything seemed to hurt going down and sat in my chest like a ton of bricks so she had me come in Thursday for my 1 mth instead of waiting till Feb.5th. I went yesterday and told Dr.B what was going on and he thinks the connection from my intestine to my pouch may be a bit too tight. I have to go back to the hospital on the 7th and have a gastric endoscopy done (that's when they put you to sleep and stick this long tube with a camera down your throat to see what's going on, the good thing is if it is too tight they can stretch it open a bit at the same time). Dr.B said that if it's not too tight I will have to get an IV in my arm to take home and be fed that way!!! I can't believe this, no one explained that this could happen before I had the surgery and I asked the nurse why? She said they don't like to scare the patients because this does not happen to all the gastric bypass patients. I'm so bummed out right now. I read a million post and profiles and Dr. reviews before my surgery and had this preconcieved notion that the surgery would be a smooth one. I really thought I would have the surgery want to get up that night to walk, have the swallow done, go home and eat baby food and soup and drink protein shakes for a month, then my life would return to normal and I would simply start the gym and loose a ton of weight. I really was not prepared to feel the way I feel right now and have these problems. Yes I'm down 30 lbs in under a month but I don't feel good so that makes it not as wonderful as it really is, if that makes sense to anyone. I literally have to ride in a rolling cart at wal-mart just to go pick up a few personals because I'm so weak and tired. I can't go back to work and can only pretty much lay in the bed most of the day and do nothing. Has anyone else had any problems with the surgery? I feel so alone in this situation and just want to feel better and be able to eat or drink something without hurting. Please help, I really need some support right now. Robin

Robin, first of all I'm so sorry that you are having to go through all of this. I have a friend who went through some of the stuff that you are going through. It was so hard on her but I promise that it got better. I'm right in Goose Creek, please let me know if you need anything, even just a shoulder to cry on. Send me a message and I'll give you my number. Mary

Oh, Robin, I am so sorry! I have to admit, I really hate reading all the "I was up walking 2 hours after surgery and did laps around the hospital and went back to work in three days and life is perfect now LALALALALA" posts. After my surgery, I was wiped out, and was scared to get up and walk especially by myself since my hubby had gone home to play computer games and going to work after three weeks exhausted me.... YOU ARE NOT ALONE. I didn't have the stricture problem, but I may be developing it now (I'm a year out and having more difficulty getting stuff to go down) so we're watching it. I hate that you had expectations of such a smooth experience, but I think that's normal based on what folks write about their experience. I guess those of us who didn't have a lovely time don't write about it as much.... *sigh* Sweetie, you're in my prayers. Lisa

(((((( Robin )))))))) I'm soooo sorry to hear you're feeling so bad. Out of all those profiles you read before your surgery, how in the world did you miss mine? I'm part of the few who had major trouble after WLS ... and I'm here to tell you that, with patience and perseverence, it WILL get better! At 4 weeks after surgery, I was feelng pretty low emotionally ... believing that I would never feel better again. I even expressed the desire to go back in time, wishing I'd never chosen to go this route. Now? I'm 8 months post-op, I've lost over 100 pounds ... and I feel great. I have NO DOUBT that this will be your experience too. Don't give up, sweetie. Let Dr. Byrne take charge, and I know he will make sure you are on the road to feeling like yourself again. Lean on your friends, and don't give in to that depression. Please feel free to e-mail me anytime ([email protected]). Sending hugs ... ~ Dawn

Hi Robin I'm sorry you are feeling so well and I hope the scope changes all that. I am eight months out but believe me, I felt the same way you do about a lot of things. I tried to keep a positive attitude but I wanted to feel normal again, too. I felt lousy for the first six months. Just in the begining of January, I found a protein drink I could tolerate. (I hated the smell of the stuff and just could not drink it) When I went for my labs in December, the protein levels came back very low. Dr. Byrne was going to put me on TPN (that's the IV feeding) I begged him to take my labs again ( this was in January) and the protein drink was doing its job and he has given me another couple of months to improve. I'm feeling so much better now. The weight loss has slowed down some, but that's ok, I'm trying to regain my strength. Your body has to adjust and that takes some time. Again, I hope you start feeling better soon. Dollie

Dear Robin, I can't add any post-op wisdom, but please know you are in my prayers. It sounds like part of your frustration is that you are normally a positive, upbeat kind of person and it's hard for those type folks to handle long term difficulties. If so, hang on to that. Based on what everyone else has said so far, it will get better. God bless.

Robin... I had the same problem... and ended up with complications... However.. don't be discouraged... I knew of others who had the same thing, and Endoscopy with dialation worked well for them. Even through all my complications... it does get better... and it is worth it in the end. You can read my profile for the story.. but dont let it get you down... remember we are all different.... and many dont have the problems I had. Keep your faith.... and think positive... if you do that, things will work out! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Take care.... Mike

I'm so sorry you all went through some tough times with the surgery as well. I wish more people will post some of the negative effects of the surgery so that others may at best be mentally prepared in the event it happens to them. I believe we are all here to help support and educate each other and I think that we need to be positive and speak of our wonderful experiences but we should also speak about the trials and tribulations it took to get to the wonderful stage. I'm so happy that the weight will continue to come off but I do feel a *****eated that I was not informed about these problems that could occur. I just want my life back, I don't regret the surgery but regret the not knowing. I don't get any protein in at all so I know my levels are rock bottom at this point. I'm afraid about being off work too long and I'm afraid that my life is going to take forever to get back to normal. My Mom is a huge support for me right now and calls me 4 or more times a day just to encourage me and keep my mind from drifting to the negative thoughts. I'm really scared you guys but I try to keep the faith and say this won't last always. I've ordered a new BIBLE that's written in translation so I plan to start reading it and getting closer to GOD who I know is the only one who can see me through this difficult time. HE has blessed me to have this surgery and I know HE didn't bring me this far to forsake me now. Thanks for sticking with me and staying in touch. It means the world to me that you all are willing to go back in your minds to a difficult time in order to help me feel better. Robin

Robin, It was so hard to read your post! I know how you are feeling. I didn't have to go back to get scoped, but I understand your low feeling. My surgery experience wasn't exactly how I thought it would be either. I was in the hospital for 6 days and I felt like I would die. As I laid there, I wanted them to put my stomach back together and forget the WLS idea. I had such a difficult time with every step and each new food. There were days when I thought I would die. My mama had to come and pick me up from work one day because I as so sick. I wasn't even able to drive myself. I went to work after a week, but looking back that was a mistake. I was so tired and spent most of my non-working hours in bed. I was exhausted and sick. I threw up most everything: baby food, juice, soup... EVERYTHING! What I didn't throw up, I found in the toliet a short time later. Protien shakes were too thick and the taste made me gag. The scale flew down for that period. That was my only pleasant experience during the first 3-4 months. I thought I was going to die. The first solid food I could eat: green beans chewed up until they were mush. My hair fell out and my nails broke off. The vitamins were my enemy and I hated life. I found a great doctor that helped me through. He is in North Charleston and he is my savior!!! He makes me feel like a million dollars and lets you know what you are going through is normal. Now I am 1 year and 3 months out of surgery. I would do it again and again to have the life I have now. I still have 15-25 lbs to lose, but I am healthy and happy again. This time you are going through now isn't abnormal, it just isn't wide spread. I have been there. I have cried for hours. I have wanted to go back to my comfort zone. It will pass. Let people know you need help. If it hadn't been for my friend May helping me, I don't think I could have made it. Those that knew I had surgery brought me soup and sugar free drinks. People want to help, LET THEM! Let me! I will bring you jello or baby food bananas/peaches/applesause, chicken broth: ANYTHING. I know you think nothing can make it better, but it will get better. Dr. Byrne can do anything! He works miracles and has helped us all. He will take great care of you. In a few months look back on what you have written today and realize how far you have gone. It makes your accomplishment more meaningful! Read my profile. I go from really sick and sad to less sad to happy. It will be you too. You will HAPPY & THIN! What a pay off. Take care and let me know if I can help. Kelly

Kelly, Who is the doctor in North Charleston you are referring to? I am in the market for a new PCP and want someone that understands what we are going through. Unfortunately, my doctor I have now is not up to speed on gastric bypass. Thanks, Susan Robin - don't despair. Things will get better. Try to have a positive outlook (even though it is hard right now). Try to take a walk and get some fresh air. The more you get up and out of bed the better you will feel.