My complications

I had my gastric bypass surgery on 04/05/2005. It was done laproscopically (sp). Which was surgery #1. My new pouch leaked so that had to do open surgery (#2) to fix my new pouch. My stitches would not hold so they had to reopen me (#3) and re-stitch everthing. My stitches would not hold again so my surgeon had to cut away (#4) all of the "dead" skin and put mesh in my stomach and let it heal from the inside out. Soooo.. I had a hole about the size of a grapefruit where my stomach skin should have been. During this time (which I don't remember) I was in a medically induced coma. I was on a ventilator for 2 weeks and then they put a trech (sp) in. During this time also I got a MAJOR infection and my temp ran between 104 and 107 for 6 days. I had to packed down with ice the entire time. A month later I am brought out of the coma. I wake up not being able to move my legs and I have these tubes coming out of my mouth and other parts...I am in the hospital for another month just doing physical therapy and breathing exorcises so that hopefully I can get the trech taken out. FINALLY the trech comes out and I am moved from SICU to a "stepdown" room. Here a plastic surgeon (Dr. Henry Wilson @ Centennial in Nashville) who is absolutely wonderful by the way.... does a skin graft (#5). He takes a good size piece of skin from my right thigh and stretches it to cover the hole in my stomach. During the 3rd month in the hospital I am finally well enough to go home. It is now July. I get married in September In November I have to have my gall bladder removed (#6). Not so bad.... And finally on April 20th I had my hernia repaired, the skin graft removed, and a tummy tuck. Throughout the past year I have been admitted into the hospital for dehydration, nausea, and pain about 8 times. I am now 100 lbs lighter (I was only 100 lbs overweight to begin with). I tell people my story not to scare them away from having the surgery... because this surgery helps SOOOOO many people, including myself. I firmly believe that all of this happened for a reason. I made it through thanks to all of the prayers. I simply want everyone who thinks that nothing will happen and that this is the easy way out... ect... that it is definately not. It is very hard work. I would do it again in a heartbeat.... but I would definately make sure that I was better educated. If anybody ever has any questions OR if you need an angel and you are in the Nashville area... feel free to call me or email me!!!!

Thank you for your post. Sorry to hear about all of your complications, unfortunately these things can and do happen and its important that people be more aware and/or prepared that this can happen to anyone undergoing this surgery.

Wow!

Sorry to hear that you went through so much. I think it is good for people to understand this surgery is not a walk in the park. So, I'm glad you posted. I also believe you are a very, very strong person who has had many angels surrounding you with blessings. May you enjoy life to it's fullest! Linda

Jennifer- The similarities between our stories is striking! Read my profile if you have a chance. Glad your doing better! I agree...it's the prayers that get us through! I know I had lots said for me. I always hesitate to tell my story, as I too don't want to scare anyone. I wish you all the best! L

Ijust read your profile! Wow... we do have a lot of similarities!!! I too had a feeding tube but it was in my side. My scar looks exactly like someone bit me 90 % of what I tell people about me is what I was told by my surgeon and family. I don't really remember it all. I do have a question for you.... only because everyone thinks I am crazy.... when you were medically induced, did you have extremely vivid dreams? When I woke up I felt like I had lived a completely different life because my dreams and thoughts were so real. I still dream some of the same stuff even today!

Thanks you two for sharing. I am currently going through hellish complications of my own, including a feeding tube. I've already posted the details in another thread, so I just put it to my profile in case anyone is interested. While I would never wish complications on anyone, it is nice to see that others have gone through similar or worse and made it to the other side (without regret, even.) I don't know why I waited so long to check for a forum like this. Here I thought I was in my own private hell when there are people who had it worse. I am happy to have some perspective.

Jennifer, We had surgery the same day and alot of the same complications. My kidneys shut down after surgery. Then I woke up 10 days after surgery covered in blood. I had a blood pocket bust and that started my problems. I started with a small open wound. When my stitches were removed I came apart so now I had a large open wound. I had to go to the Dr every week and get dead skin cut off. In September I had skin graft. The same as yours to close the wound that wouldn't heal. Then I developed a hernia. I had hernia repair and a T/T May 15th. I now have a pocket of fluid behind my hernia repair. All in all I feel very healthy now. I would do it over again in a minute but it was no easy way out. I have had people ask me what was the easiest part of this surgery. I always say I saw nothing easy. See you lighter. Joanne