Just soooo frustating, so I am venting!

Here I am almost 3 weeks post-op and I am still swelling!!!  The docs all say it is normal to swell after surgery.  Well I have not read anywhere that anyone else is having the same problems as I do.  I have ended up in the ER twice already and each time I am told "its just that the swelling is pulling on your incision".   Well then why do I have to wait for the swelling to go down naturlally and just tolerate the pain and use my narcotic pain meds?  I just don't understand why they won't let me take the damn water pill and get this water off!!  I thought this was not supposed to happen. I just don't understand why my body is retaining so much water.  When I was in the ER, the doc did some tests for kidney function and said that they were working well.  SO WHY CAN'T I GET RID OF THE WATER!!!  Sorry for yelling, but this is so frustrating.  I figure that after 2 weeks post-op the doctors would know that there is a big problem with water retention, especially if I am drinking 80 oz of water daily.  Is it that I am not drinking enough?  Because when I was given an IV in the ER I gave a great sample.  then the next day my output was just the same....minimal.  I don't mean to sound like a cry baby, but this pain is almost unbearable.  Now when the ER doc talked to Dr Patels' on-call doc(Dr Bell) he told the ER doc that the medication from the Qball had worn off and that was the reason I was having so much pain and that it was normal.  Well the ER doc did not like that answer and said that answer did not resolve the question at hand.  So he ordered a catscan to make sure there was nothing really wrong, there wasn't.  He said that he did not want to send me home in the same condition, but there was not much he could do, but take the pain med and wait on the doc.  He said to just keep in contact with the surgeon and hopefully they can give me better answers.  I am beginning to wonder if the swelling and pain will ever stop!  Just kidding, I know in my heart things will get better I am just not a very patient person right now.

For newbies: 
Dont' get discouraged by me.  Not all surgeries go this way; most are very successful and uneventful.  I do not regret getting the RNY done.  Alot of other things have improved like my high blood pressure, diabeties, and for the most part, my sleep apnea is improving.  The surgery is well worth it and encourge you to not to let anything get in your way of making the decision to improve your life.

I am SO sorry that you are still going through this swelling.    I wish I had words of wisdom for you.   Did they rule our lympidemia ( I know that is misspelled ).   I have heard of people developing it after surgery.    That is JUST a thought.   But then....there are people who swell like crazy after surgery and gain lots of weight from all the IV's that  you have in the hospital.    I know when I had my LBL 3 yrs ago.....I swelled for a entire year.     Hang in there....there are those of us that are praying that things will get better for you really soon.    If it gets worse call your doc and demand to be seen !!!


Hugs and blessings ~~~ Vivian

Did you have an open surgery? Have you had problems with swollen legs before this surgery? Reason I'm asking is you may be developing lymphedema, I  hope not.  If it is, no water pills will help because the lymphatic channels are right under the skin and water pills affect the circulatoy system. The lymph fluid does eventually drain into the circulation and through the kidneys to be released.  Any interruption in the lymph channels will trap the fluid below or around the injury. You need to get the healthy unaffected channels to drain for the injured ones. .For  the swelling is in your abdomen you can get a binder at Target in the exercise dept. I used one more for comfort early on. Don't put it on too tight but just enough to give gentle pressure. You maybe drinking too much water back off a little and try potassium. You need to replace the sodium with potassium which is a natural diuretic.  Also lightly massage your abdomen featherlight strokes  in an upward motion on both sides. Go up toward your chest then across in an outward motion lightly  across your collar bones toward each should er .Press down lightly on each shoulder just until you meet resistsnce do this 4 times. Massage while you lie on the bed or sofa with your legs elevated above your heart.  I know all about this because I have lymphedema. For all these years I thought I just had my aunts body type until I was diagnoised and did research and found out she also had lymphedema. I had to got hrough 5 1/2 mo.s of this type of massage to get my legs down to where I could wear compression hose. I hope this gives you some answers and helps. It is a wise Dr. who can diagnois Lymphedema many Dr.s do not have the knowlege and don't know what to do and RX water pills. I am also a nurse so I do know what I'm talking about. Lymphedema can develop at any time  and is worse the more insults to the lymphy system due to illness trauma insect bites or multiple surgeries.  The kind most people can relate to is the mastectomy patients with the big arms but it  happen to any part of the body. Stay Strong dear and relax !

I was so bloated for about five weeks post-op.  Everyone's body reacts differently to surgery.  Some people have little or no swelling.  Some have a lot.  Your body has gone through some MAJOR shock on the inside so this is just its natural way of dealing with it.  It WILL go down!!!  Once my bloated look when down VISUALLY, I was still bloated inside.  I could not understand why I literally could not tolerate more than a sip or two without feeling like a swallowed a concrete cinder block.  I cannot tell you how many times I sat on the couch crying asking what the heck I had just done to myself because I couldn't take a normal "drink" like before.  A neighbor of mine had it done a year prior and she kept telling me to be patient and I WOULD be able to take more than a sip.  She said by 8 wks post op, I would see a difference.  Low and behold, she was sooo right.  Literally by like the middle of the 7th week, going on the 8th, I could drink a bit more.  Each week that went by, it got easier and easier to drink.  That swelling inside was reducing as I healed.  Now, protein is an absolute MUST if you want to heal properly.  I found that out the hard way.  Drink the amount your doc tells you.  I don't care if you have to sip on it all stinkin' day, DO IT!!!  The protein aids the body's ability to heal itself.  Once I got a good, stern talking to by my doc, I took in protein and OMG, what a difference.  I mean, NIGHT AND DAY difference.  I had more energy and just felt better on a whole.  Your situation WILL improve.  Patience is a must and I absolutely KNOW that is not what you want to hear.  Keep your feet up, stay in where it is cool, get your protein in and I promise, each week gets better!  Hang in there!!! 

I strongly advise you to read Jill's post at least 3 times lol. She definately know s whats she's talking about.  Get your protein in if you can.. it makes a HUGE difference in your recovery... as does getting in water, crystal light , SF kool aid.. whatevver SF drrinks.  and it DOES get better and this wll soon be just a distant memory
Liz

Thanks everyone!  Patience is not one of my strong suits but I am trying!  My doc told me to start taking 2 lasix and potassium per day and come into the office on Tuesday.  Well I have already lost 7 pounds of water and some of the pain is gone.  I am getting in my protien and not having a problem with keeping down water.  I am drinking 64-80 oz of water per day. 

Jill:  Thanks for all your insight and support. 

I am so glad that I decided to post this.  Your help and support has helped me more than you know!

Thanks again!!