Severe Edema???

I had my WLS 5 years ago. This past March 2012 I had excrutiating pain and went to the ER. After 2 days they did exploritory surgery and found my small intestines herniated and twisted. Surgery that evening left both kidneys failing and they didn't think I would survive the night. They next day they went in and removed the rest of the almost blackened intestines and left me open in case they had to go back in. Thankfully this helped and on the third day they went in to close me up.I spent a month in the hospital on TPN. After coming home I was able to eat, but still on TPN until mid June. During this entire time I experienced mild swelling in my feet and lower legs that would come and go. After June I no longer received home health and was feeling much better. I really let myself slide on my protein and vitamins. Starting around mid July I started swelling much more. By August there was no relief even with raising my feet up. By the end of September the swelling was much worse. It would shift during my sleep but within 5 minutes of getting up I could feel it moving straight to my lower legs and feet. By October I had gained 10 lbs in water weight and it was very difficult to make it through my work day. I started taking my vitamins and shakes like I should have the whole time. On October 7th I had blood work with my surgeon. My blood protein level was only 2.2. Normal is 6-8.3. All my other levels were slightly low. He believes the swelling which has graduated from my lower half all the way to my abdominin is due to severe low protein and will continue until I am able to get this up. Unsatisfied and scared it is lymphedema I had seen two Dr's this past Friday. More blood work was done which I am waiting for results. After seeing my last blood work they are both convinced it is from low protein also. Has anyone experianced anything like this?? I should mention I now only have 2ft of small intestines left which makes it way much harder to absorb and digest nutrients/proteins than the average GBS patient. It can take up to 18 months for my body to adjust and realize what I have left has to start making up and doing the job of what was taken. In the mean time I am up 20lbs on my hips to feet. I have been having slight weeping from my pores. By the end of the day my husband has to lift my feet and put me in bed. I can not climb steps and literaly have to lift one leg at a time to get in my car. I squatted early this morning to clean my fridge and could NOT get back up. I had to yell for help to be lifted. Any similair cases please respond. I went from being an active 34 yr old wife and mother to doing nothing but staying in bed all weekend.

Shonna Damron

IMO you need proteins. Lots of it and most likely in IV form first then just by mouth. With such a severe malnutrition I am surprised the doc did not order that for you.
In a meantime taking a lot of proteins I an easy bioavailable from - like a protein shake made with whey isolate. iMO you probably should take 150 -200 gr in whey isolate a day. That's like drinking 4-5 shakes made with 2 scoops of whey isolate in each shake.