Back to the Operating Room for me - w/pics...

I just got back from a visit to my surgeon today for follow-up.  I had been crossing my fingers and hoping that all my complication woes would be over by now, but it was not to be.  As many of you know because I have been whining about it for a while, I developed a complication back at the end of May 2007 that cut blood off to my organs and made my excluded stomach (the leftovers of the stomach after RNY) unable to empty properly.   It sucked big time, caused me the most painful 7 months of my life, caused me to need 2 surgeries from August to November, and also made me need a tube in my excluded stomach from August to December to drain the fluid getting trapped there (fluid that was actually digesting my excluded stomach when it couldn't drain...).   My surgeon pulled the tube out in December because test results said the November surgery was successful, and told me that would most likely be the end of it.  It pretty much was, but the hole where the tube was wouldn't close - it still looks like I got shot right below my left ribs (the tube went from my stomach and came out right under my ribs, emptying in a plastic bulb that I wore under my shirt) and this is a month and a half later.  It won't close because of scar tissue that has formed.   So it is back to the OR for me.  On Feb. 22nd I'll have surgery to remove the scar tissue and close the hole in my excluded stomach.  It is a relatively little operation.  I tried to convince Dr. Baker that as long as they are knocking me out they might as well chop off my panni, but he was not convinced.  Boo.  Wish me luck! *if you want to see a picture of what I lovingly call my  "bullet hole"  scroll down - WARNING - Not for the fait of heart... I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I

ANOTHER!?!?!?  Oh Amy, you're amazing for putting up with all of this and maintaining your great attitude. Best of luck!

Thanks Brock.  Hopefully this'll be the absolute last one.  I am getting a little too familiar with the interns...they might start to get the wrong impression

Oh no!  That stinks!  I am sorry to hear that you have to go through more - you are in my thoughts & prayers!

Thanks Katie.  It is a bummer, but at least this really should be it this time.

Ahhh Amy, I am so sorry to hear,  Ill be thinking about ya! 

Thanks.  You guys rock.

aw.. I'm sorry to hear that.. I had sort of a similar thing happen when I had a Pylonidal Cyst a few years ago.. there was this big hole.. and it just STOPPED closing. So I had to have another surgery and.. oh man I feel ur pain! At least you know you'll be closing it up b/c that means it will be THE END of that.. that's something to look foward to.. goodluck amy :)

I'm sure you know there are a lot of things that stink about having a hole -  not being allowed to swim or take a bath (since AUGUST!), angry nerve endings (this is the worst actually, every now and then it pinches something terrible)...yeah, not having the hole will be nice.  And this really should be it this time, as in no more surgeries for me for a LONG time.  Thanks for the well wishes! 

Oh Amy, I'm sorry. I hadn't heard. I didn't go back through all the older messages. You must be brave and strong to survive going through all those complications. I'll keep you in my thoughts on your surgery day.