Question:
I am staying sick at 5 mos post op

I am 5 months post op and have my doctor puzzled. I have constant nausea and sometimes abd pain. I am also very weak and tired all of the time. These problems cause me to drag myself through my life with my husband and my job and I am very afraid of losing both. My husband says he lives "alone" or with a zombie and he is getting tired of it. My job is getting tired of the many times I leave work sick or call in. I need help fast if I am to keep my life. I am starting to get extremely depressed over this and am starting to feel on most days that it would be better on everyone (except my children) if I just didnt wake up one morning. I am scheduled for an Upper GI series tomorrow but my doc doesn't suspect he will find anything. He just keeps saying more time, it SHOULD go away on it's own...does it....? anybody experrienced anything like this....I need some hope if anybody has any been there done that experirence they can share. Thanks everyone...signed hopeless! Teresa    — teresagrooms (posted on December 20, 2005)

December 20, 2005
Teresa, I am so sorry to hear that you are feeling like that, I am not quiet that bad, but i do vomit up most things that have a texture, my surgeon is worried that the stomach opening is to tight, so i am having upper Gi Thru morning, hope i can keep the liquid down that i need to drink. My local Dr is great, he is trying to find out then we will take it from there.
   — Reelbaby

December 20, 2005
i had something similar. my problem was that i was not getting enough fluids and was dehydrated. once i got fluids i was much better. also have your iron check and/or b-12. tammi
   — tjjjx6

December 20, 2005
You are only speaking to your surgeon at this point? Have you spoken to your PCP about the deepening depression? Have you had labs run? Where is your iron, ferritin, B12, protein, to name a few? Have you had an endoscopy or UGI or other upper GI diagnostic? It kinda sounds like no one is taking all this seriously, which is contributing to your depression. Please consider adding more docs or swtiching docs to someone who can look at you without ego involved, maybe?
   — vitalady

December 20, 2005
Therre is one thing that you haven't mentioned in all of this. Exercise is a great cure for the syptoms that yoiu describe. I am a consumer of WLS, a trained nurse in 8 specialized fields and a surgical counselor to WLS patients for the past 15 years. So I say this with some authority. One of the things that happens when you have had the surgery that you did, is that your body has detected the lack of calorie supplies and is "shutting down" it's metabolism to compensate. ( going into hibernation for another name) Hence the tiredness. Sorry but you need to get up early each morning and later in the afternoon/evening and do a 40 minute walk, going further faster, further faster every day. This way you will start to burn up your own fat stores as fuel and with all that adrenaline and endorhines and fat for fuel in your bloodstream, you could soon be feeling like a powerhouse again. That is unless you actually have something physically wrong with you, and this will come to light one way or another after you have had your tests done. I experinced a similar thing some 14 years ago when I had my band converted to BPD after complications, and I too felt tired and cranky and was a menace to live with. I dragged myself around work and was every body's worst enemy. I went to see my surgeon and the advice he gave me was what I have given you. It took 2 weeks then I felt amazingly well. And wow did I burn fat, my weight plummeted and I got to goal weight in a much quicker time than I thought possible. Be very religious in what and how much you drink or eat and follow your surgeon's protocol to the letter. Get support from your support group If you are not attending one, start straight away, find a body, someone you can talk to between meetings and have a coffee with or go walking with, above ll don't do this on your own. Too hard. If you wish to have me as an online buddy, I am here for you. I can send you more info on e-mail if you want.
   — Lise K.

December 20, 2005
With heavy weight loss your body go to a shoke. I was at bed rest for 6 month and it took me 18 month to recover completely. I had my surgery 9 years ago and I feel great. Your family must be patient with you. Go for a small walk every morning one block only. Thats what I did. I could not do more, it was plenty for me, but at least I tried. I did sleep a lot and it was OK with my doctor abviously my body needed the rest.
   — Dani96

December 20, 2005
I still had nausea at your stage, and felt tired, but no worse than before the surgery. Make sure you are getting your protein (drink that stuff, evn though it tastes horrible) and your vitamins. Drink your water!!!! I am sorry that your husband is not being supoortive. Does he realize that you have undergone major surgery, and recuiperation time is prolonged? You just had your inner plumbing re-configured! Go to a support group in your area if you can find one, and take hubby with you! Maybe if he realizes that what you are experiencing is normal, he will not be so judgmental.
   — Novashannon

December 21, 2005
Hi Teresa, You have been given great advice. The advice especially from the nurse. Do exactly as she has told you to do. It has been 8 mos. for me and I have just stopped throwing up since September. I stayed in the house all the time did not get the corrrect exercise ane then I started getting up and getting dressed and going out. Even if it was just to go to the mall and look I did that. I had been on a platea and that broke it. I'm kinda forgetful and I've kinda droopped back into the old routine again since it has gotten so cold here. But after reading what the nurse told you I am going to follow her advice too. I don't have any groups to attend so this is my only support. It WILL get better. I just woke up one morning and it was ok. You will do the same. Take care. Judy
   — Judy 52

December 21, 2005
I dont have confidence in upper GI's, have a edo, learn about FMLA if it applies to you. type FMLA in google search and your employer may be very happy that you come to work ,fmla time can be taken in half hour units if necessary, up to 60 days a year. does your employer have 75 employees in a 100 mile radius. and a whole new year is about to begin. so your about to be good. for 2006, have a happy new year. your hubby needs to stop being so self centered. better or worst means more than been "neglected" do to being off peak for a few months. so many post ops just kick thier sposes to the curb anyway.
   — walter A.

December 21, 2005
Well, since most have covered the health issue, I have a suggestion issue -- if you haven't used it already --the Family Medical Leave Act -- you can take it for yourself -- maybe taking this will save your job and give you the time you need to bring the health issues under control.
   — the7thdean

December 27, 2005
TERESA, I'M 5 1/2 MO POST OP AND HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH THE SAME THINGS AS WELL AS VOMITING AT LEAST EVERY OTHER DAY. BUT THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL. YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN SOME AWESOME ADVISE PLEASE FOLLOW IT AS IT WILL HELP. FOR ME I HAD TO WANT TO GET BETTER AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT EVEN THOUGH I KNOW HOW DRAINED YOU FEEL ALMOST TO MUCH TO MUSTER THE ENERGY UP TO MOTATE. BUT PUSH YOURSELF BECAUSE ONCE YOU START GETTING A BURST OF ENERGY YOU'LL SEE THE LIGHT.ALSO TAKE HEED TO THE NURSE AND SO MANY OTHERS ADVISE PROTEIN,WATER,EXCERCISE AND GOOD FRIENDS . YOU WENT THROUGH THIS SURGERY SO DONT GIVE UP NOW,WHEN YOU HAVE SETBACKS JUST KEEP GOING DONT LET IT CONTROL YOUR LIFE YOU BE IN CHARGE.WHEN I GET SICK AND VOMIT WHICH IS OFTEN I GET RIGHT BACK UP AND KEEP PUSHING. I GO OUT AND GO SHOPPING AND EXCERCISE I AM GOING TO LIVE AND YOU SHOULD TOO.WE ALL JUST NEED TO STICK TOGETHER AND KEEP EACHOTHER UPLIFTED AS WE ARE DONG NOW. YOU ARE IN MY PRAYERS, BELENDA
   — RODEOGIRL74

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