People who have had complications from surgery please post your story

 I truly believe my surgeon feels he has done all he can and wants to do for me minus the feeding tube and he said he would only do one that went right into my intenstines. I am not even sure how that would work. Basically he told me to just try and keep as much down and keep fighting it, get my labs drawn in 3-4 weeks and then come back. So yes I feel like I need the opinion of a 2nd and even possibly 3rd Dr who does the DS and will actually listen to me and read what the studies show on paper and not make me feel like crap. 

I would suggest a consult with Dr. Keshishian or Dr. Rabkin. I had a feeding tube for 6 weeks post op, Dr. K.'s routine, and it's nothing to be fearful of. Has anyone suggested TPN?

I'm so sorry you are living this and I hope it all can get resolved so that you can go on with your life.

 The day before I got released from my first earlier hospital stay (6 days and was released on Mothers Day) they were talking about putting in a feeding tube through my nose but said it would likely be very hard to do because of my stomach and new anatomy. I did ask about the TPN and they said they rarely do it now because of all the infections and issues it causes. When I was on constant IV fluids and anti nausea meds I was able to get enough food and liquid down to sustain myself which is where I run into the problem as I cant live in the hospital with IV fluids and antinausea meds so I am not too sure where to go from here.

When I saw my surgeon and mentioned the feeding tube they had talked about he said he had to be the one who did it and he would only do one that went right into my intestines. However he didnt feel I was trying hard enough and wanted me to try for 3-4 more weeks and then come back and see him.

My feeding tube (j-tube) was placed during surgery which would be different for you, but I'm pretty sure it can be done for you now. Dr. K's newsletter archives talks about the feeding tube.

Many folks end up with TPN. It would address your hydration and nutrition issues while giving your stomach a rest and allowing for time to determine the cause of your pain.

I really just wanted to post to be supportive and to try my part in cheering you up & on.  I think your post is VERY reasonable, in general, and for the fact that it is a support board. 

I didn't have any immediate post-op complications.  Just shy of 18 months out, I had an emergency appendectomy due to my appendix having formed an adhesion around the circumference of the distal part of my small bowel - that was from the DS surgery.  Apparently the appendix was also stuck to my colon and my back bowel wall &, basically it was slowly strangulated for lack of proper blood flow, inducing appendicitis.  When that happened, it swelled up, & due to the adhesion around my small bowel, it created a bowel obstruction.  To make a long story short, despite not getting treatment for 40 hrs after symptom onset, & starting to slide into septicemia, I immediately & fully recovered.  The surgeon, who happened to be a DS surgeon, had expected to have to open me up, he was able to keep it lap.  He thought he would have to keep me for 2 days in the hospital, but I got released the next day.  In the big scheme of things, I really can't complain.

Hang in there! 

I would also seek a second opinion simply for the fact that it makes reasonable, logical sense.

 Thank you hun and I appreciate your support. I am glad you were able to get all that done via lap and didnt have to be opened up and now all is well. 

I wish I lived closer to some of these Drs but this is my health and life and I am willing to make the drive/flight if needed. I am just a little worried about flying to see another Dr with the medical mess I am already in. 

So very sorry for all your pain. I hope you get it all straightened out. I will pray for you hon.
Karen

Thank you so much hun!

I think the first step is to get the fluids and intake under control.  Once you're better nourished, I think it'll be easier to tease away which of the symptoms are from dehydration and which are not.

I know you want to jump right to surgical intervention, it's a natural desire to get that quick fix.  Not that I'd rule out that your issue is surgical, I'm just not sure it is, considering you were opened up by an experienced surgeon for exploratory surgery already and nothing was found...I would hate for you to go in for another exploratory surgery now that your nutritional status has become even weaker, as has your immunity.

The pneumonia is kinda related.  Especially if the nausea and reflux caused you to aspirate.  Plus, with decreased nutritional status can come decreased immunity.

I think what I'm saying is...maybe it's time for the feeding tube.  Just to get you back on your feet.  And then we can go from there.

 No, I dont want to jump into surgical intervention and totally agree with you. I do however believe I need a 2nd opinion from another vetted DS Dr. 

I totally agree about the fluids, foods and vitamins but the question everyone is trying to figure out is how I can do that. I dont know my issue is surgical either especially from the three diagnosis' made and wouldnt want to just be opened up again for the heck of it. He did find endometriosis and cysts which at least was something and explained my misery of years and years of pelvic pain it just didnt address my upper abdominal pain or the nausea and vomitting cycle.

I didnt even think of the pneumonia being related but that does make sense now. My Drs are trying to keep me out of the hospital but I am on Day 2 of antibiotics and only feel worse. I will be seeing my PCP tomorrow morning so he can take a listen, decide if we need another chest x ray and give me the antibiotic shot. I am not sure if he will want to admit me and I am praying I feel better by tomorrow but the Dr today said I should feel at least a little better since I was given antibiotics in the ER yesterday AM and then in the PM 2 different antibiotics via IV. However I am not feeling any better at all and that worries me. 

I guess I need to take care of the pnemonia first and then figure out if the feeding tube comes next. Thanks for all your help!