Question:
Complications and Still Smell an Odor

I had my RNY on 6/16/11 and it has been a rocky road. I had complications--an obstruction and two abcesses that left me in pain and misery. Second surgery was 7/26/11 where the doctor re-routed my bypass--I am not sure that I even have a pouch anymore. On 8/1/11, I was back in the hospital with a massive infection of one of tue surgical sites, of which all of these matters I was constantly telling the doctors that something was wrong. Still have a j-tube in my chest to draw the last abcess that I hope will be removed in aa few days as it has been there for 7 weeks. Today, 9/27/11, is the first day that I have felt anything like normal. Anyone else has these woes; I really feel alone. Finally, I am still smelling an odor that no one smells but me. I want to believe it is ketosis. Any other ideas? FYI: I have loss 64 lbs, as the nurse says, the hard way.    — cdbrewster2 (posted on September 27, 2011)

September 27, 2011
I'm sorry to hear you have had all these problems. I was lucky in that my RNY went great - I didn't even have any pain. Have you considered seeing a therapist? You have every reason to be a little depressed right now but you shouldn't let it go n forever. Good luck to you.
   — Muggs

September 27, 2011
My heart goes out to you. I had a lot of complications from my rny. Massive infections, redoing my rny, etc. Spent a lot of time in hospitals and rehab. I don't what to tell you but to stay strong and keep fighting for your health and your future. If you don't fight for yourself nobody else will. You are your own best advocate.
   — Kathleen W.

September 28, 2011
Foxymoma said it all! Keep up the good fight. You are your own advocate! I'm almost 7 years post RNY and never had the issues you had. I recommend you get in contact with Foxymoma, who may be able to better advise you. Know that you ARE in my prayers that you receive the appropriate care you need at this time in your life! Have you considered getting another surgeon's advice?
   — Christine Gibson

October 1, 2011
hI i TOO HAD A rny fEB 11 2010. fROM THE FIRST DAY i HAD DIFFICULTY EVEN DRINKING tHERE TIME WENT BY AND THINGS GOT WORSE. i WAS CONSTANTLY BEIG TOLD THAT i WAS JUST DEHYDRATED. lATER AFTER PESTERING THE DOCTORS FOR 2 MONTHS AND HAVING LOST 60 PBS THEY FOUND AN ABCESS JUST OUTSIDE OF THE OP SITE THE SIZE OF A BABY'S HEAD THEY TELL ME AND A LEFT SIDE COLAPSED LUNG. i WAS IN THE HOSPITAL FOR 10 DAYS TO GET THIS DRAINED AND ON TRACK AGAIN. wHILE THERE THEY GOR ME ABLE TO DRINK 3 CUPS OF LIQUID A DAY THAT WAS A HUGE INPROVEMENT FOR ME. i HAVE NOW HAD NO MORE PROBLEMS AT ALL BUT i HEAR YOU WHEN YOU SAY ABOUT THE WEIRD ORDER. EVERYTHING SMELLED LIKE GARLIC EVEN WATER AND IT ALL TASTED LIKE SULFER. tHE DOCTORS HAD DONE A SCOPING 9 DAYS BEFORE i PASSSED OUT AND THEY PUT ME ON MY SIDE TO DO THIS VIA MY MOUTH. tHEY MISSED THE ABCESS SINCE i WAS MADE TO LAY ON THE SIDE THAT THE ABCESS WAS ON IT WAS NOT BLOCKING ANYTHING. tHE OTHER THING THAT i ENDED UP WITH WAS HEMRROIDS REALLY BAD FROM ALL THE COUGHING AND DRY HEAVES. gOOD NEWS IT it DOES GO AWAY ALL THE YUCKY SMELL AND TASTE. aND YESS YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE THAT CAN SMELL IT. lol kEEP TRUSTING THE DOCTORS AND YOU WILL BE FINE. yOU WILL BE LOOKING BACK AT ALL THIS COMPLICATED MESS IN TIME AND SAYING .. I WOULD DO IT ALL OER AGAIN IF I KNEW WHAT A BEAUTIFUL BODY I WOULD END UP WITH IN THE END. HAND IN THERE IT WILL PASS.
   — OntarioSilk