HELP: Major DS Complications!

I’m cross posting this is several DS forums to try and gather as much info/help as I can, since I’m feeling pretty desperate and afraid at this point. I had a DS with Dr. Ng and Rex Surgical Specialist in Raleigh, NC April 13^th, 2015. Theoretically everything went well (DS/hernia repair/gall bladder removal.)  My second day post-op the issues started. I couldn’t get anything to go/stay down, kept throwing up. I was started on a ****tail of different things, Reglan, Carafate, Protonix, Zofran, etc. Things calmed down over the next day or so and I could eat and drink in line with that they wanted, so they sent me home on Thursday, post-op day 3. From Thursday to Wednesday next, I suffered terribly. I had a constant stomach ache, I could barely swallow, no combination of anything seemed to settle my stomach. I saw the NUT who kept encouraging me to try and drink MORE water and to take my supplements (none of which I was anywhere close to being able to tolerate.) Eventually by that Thursday I was severely dehydrated, acutely miserable, and out of ideas. I was re-admitted to the hospital through the ER. While there they did a swallow test and found my connection from intestine to new little stomach was crazy swollen, much much more swollen then it should be at this stage.

I was loaded up with drugs and admitted. As soon as I didn’t have to swallow anything and all of it went into the IV, things instantly quieted down. I was NPO for a few days and my stomach was fine, I was rehydrated by the bags of fluid and with several doses of steroids for the inflammation, I was feeling much much better. Finally went back to the clear liquid diet, everything went down fine at the hospital and after 3 days I was discharged yesterday. As soon as I had to go back to actually putting medication into my new little stomach, here came the puking/nausea, general stomachache. I threw up a ****tail of meds before Zofran, Carefate and time finally let me go to sleep last night.  I put in a desperate call to my surgeon’s office this morning and had a long talk with his nurse. I don’t want to spend any more time in the hospital, I just want to figure out the right combination of medications to keep me from being miserable—or for them to scope me or something to see what the problem is. 

Did anyone have even vaguely similar issues with stomach/swallowing/pain right after you’re DS? I’m at a loss for what to do to make this better and spending my life perpetually in the hospital is not something I’m willing or able to do. I have done everything I know how as far as varying temperatures of liquid, trying other kinds of liquid, meds before liquid, meds after, nothing makes a difference. If anyone has any ideas, I’d love to hear them, because I’m sinking fast and buyer’s remorse is setting in hardcore at this point, something I never thought I’d say.  Even a wee bit of encouragement to stay the course would be welcome.

Thanks

Shonda

What meds are giving you so much trouble? If they are meds you need for your health, I don't know what to suggest. If you are referring to vitamins and minerals, many people have trouble with them early out, and you really don't need them this early out. Your body has enough stored up to get you through the tough early couple weeks. My surgeon (Dr. Rabkin) told us not to even try taking them for 3 weeks, and I had trouble with them even then, though not as bad as what you are experiencing.

Also, are you taking anything for acid, such as a PPI (proton pump inhibitor)? The symptoms of acid/reflux can feel very different from what they feel like pre-op after your DS, and a PPI can make a huge difference. Prilosec worked wonders for me, though it doesn't work for everyone.

I think the most important thing I can say though is not to give up on your DS so soon. It's a huge operation with both physical and metabolic changes. Your body needs to adjust, and that's even if there are no complications. If you don't get better of course keep your doctors informed and get whatever work-up you need to sort things out, but often the best treatment is time.

Larra

PS I will also send you a pm.

I agree with Larra that taking supplements at this point for ANYONE would be a challenge and isn't really a priority.  It's completely normal to have buyers remorse even for people without complications.  It's a big surgery, you've been readmitted and I'm sure you are tired, frustrated and scared.  Everything can seem overwhelming.  This is just a hurdle and a lot of people have them and overcome them.  If you feel like something is wrong then you need to advocate for care.  Ask a strong family member or friend to help you get the care you need or at least some reassurance that you are ok.

I had a bowel obstruction surgery and I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown from fear and exhaustion after having complications.  I was reminded by others (including Larra) that that whole area is sensitive and takes time to reduce swelling.  It did get better but took time.  We are here for you and you will be ok.  This is just a bump in the road and someday it will be just part of your story.  Hang on and be diligent!!!  Hugs!

Cathy

This happened to me immediately post-op, but by a different method. 

I was lactose intolerant, and using regular/straight whey. Ran all my fluids out of my body, 48 hours post-op, back in hospital hooked up to IV fluids. My surgeon told me to use Whey Protein Isolate.  MOst of the lactose is processed out.

As for the meds I didn't have any problems with capsules, but some tablets were too large, as my capacity was only 2.5 ounces immediately post op. (get a copy of your surgical report; it will have this information) I quartered the problem caplets or tablets with a pill cutter.  The smaller pieces went down easy.

I take prescription omeprazole (PPI) per my surgeon for acid reflux.

It will get better.  Your stomach is designed to stretch as more volume is added to your meals.  The first year is called the stomach maturation process, to a larger capacity.  DSer's need more nutrition than the permanent three ouncces RNY's get, because our malabsorption is greater than that of the RNY.

This is the information that was given to me regarding nutrition.  The vets here will have more prudent advise for DS nutrition.

I would have been clueless and sick, or worse, without them.

I understand that pain very well, the nut who told you to keep drinking water probably made it worse.  You had a hernia repair?  depending on the type you had (paraesophageal) it can cause a stabbing pain, takes your breath away, nausea, vomiting about 2-3 seconds after swallowing if this is something you had then NPO or ice chips would have helped you for a few days with increase IV fluids.  Reglan, Zofran combination is common in this situtation.  forget about taking your vit/mins now till you get a better handle on your repair and dont forget to take your pepcid (or whatever you take for acid control) especially at the begining.  this will pass but you can make it worse and with nausea, vomiting, acute pain on drinking you will most likely get dehydrated if you drink too much too fast and not let it heal first.  wishing you a speedy recovery,

I'm sorry you are going through this and I hope that you are feeling better now as it's been some time since you posted. Curious to hear how you are doing now as I know other folks have seen Dr. NG for their surgery as well on the DS Facebook board.