Question:
Are there precautions post-op when receiving other medical care?

I am 6 weeks post-op and having severe hemorrhoids. My PCP is having me see a surgeon this afternoon in their practice to determine if I need surgery. My WLS and main contact nurse are out of town. I guess I want to know, not only for this visit, but if I ever have to go to an emergency room, what procedures could be a problem for us post open RNY patients? I have seen some posts regarding endoscopes, docs trying to give sugary things, etc. What about the other end, so to speak? Any information will be helpful to me now and possibly later, thanks.    — Molly S. (posted on August 3, 2001)

August 3, 2001
Molly, I hear you loud & clear as far as the hemerrhoids are concerned. I'm sorry you're suffering right now. I'm not exactly sure on all the things we should be cautious of, but I know that docs/nurses shouldn't insert any tubes into the stomach without using an endoscope. It would be beneficial to have your surgeon provide a diagram of your new digestive system so any emergency medical staff can see how things are set up inside you. You'd think doctors are the smartest people on the earth and they should understand what RNY (or any of the other procedures) is, but you'd be surprised of what they don't know. So a diagram would be helpful along with some important details. As far as the other end, I'm not sure about going up thru the colon; an endoscope is pretty flexible so I wouldn't think it would cause damage. But if they're only going as far as hemerrhoids, that shouldn't have any effect on your post-op condition. I think they either tie them off, freeze them off or a few other methods I can't think of right now. For other medical tests, I don't know; I've been wondering how I would ever be able to get a glucose tolerance test again considering that sweet junk you have to drink for the test. Maybe someone can answer this for us? I hope those hemerrhoids get better soon. I know how much of a pain in the butt it is! Try some Citrucell or I believe there are some suppositories that help with the pain and I think with the healing (they don't ever go away, but you can get them to shrink back). Well from your post it sounds like you probably tried all that and are at the point of needing surgery. I know I need something real bad, but I don't think I'm ready for surgery. I'm chicken. I'm only 10 weeks out from RNY. But it's pretty pathetic to be sitting on the "throne" pooping while gripping on to something for the pain & at the same time praying as I never prayed before. The pain is that bad. I hope you find relief soon. Btw, I read this recently - if you elevate your legs (using an ottoman or bench) while you're going, it's supposed to lessen the pain.
   — lalasmommy

August 3, 2001
I don't know of anything specific to "the other end", but you definitely want to tell every medical professional you work with for any reason that you've had this surgery and that there are certain restrictions. My biggest problem in the ER is pills/capsules that are way too big and being asked to drink too much of the wrong thing. However, once I explain that I have physical limitations because of the surgery, they've always been willing to work with me.
   — kcanges