Question:
I really need some feed back, input, help

I am 4.5 weeks post-op from an open RNY. I have very high pain tolerance. I was in the hospital for 8 days with what one doctor thought was a very small leak that healed itself (two post-op barium x-rays showed nothing) the other doctor said it was most likely a deep tissue infection. I finished antibiotics at home and don't have fevers but I still have bad, sometimes intensely bad pain. I take the pepcid, Gas-X, prescribed liquid pain reliever when needed and sometimes one or more of these things help and sometimes not. I eat according to my doctors plan which seems very rigid compared to what I see on the posts. I eat mashed and pureed foods since week 3 and I have added chicken breast for protein because I am struggling in that area and have very low energy. To be fair, I did go back to work on Sundays and Wednesday 2 weeks ago when my assistant lost her baby. I work for a church and am in charge of all the children's programs so those days wipe me out and the pain is worse then but could that be all it is--wearing myself out? I have back pain and what feels like a tight fist right at my breast bone or diaphram area. I have no galbladder. Please help!    — Kristi T. (posted on November 5, 2002)

November 5, 2002
Hi there, I also had the same kind of leak you had. Small one that closed on it's own. I too have a pretty good tolerance for pain, but developed the intense pain you are talking about shortly after coming home from the hospital (the second time). I don't think it's really related to the leak though (didn't want it to sound that way) I would literally have to lie flat on the floor on my stomach until the pain subsided after eating ANYTHING. Gas-X helped me too...I really didn't believe it could be gas as bad as it felt, until another post op told me she had the same thing and was certain it was gas. Drinking a little bit with my meals seemed to help a bit too for some reason. I had bouts of it for a good month and half to two months but then it went away completely. I have not had that horrible sensation since about 3 months post op. Just your normal gas like anyone else..lol. I would keep tabs with your surgeon on it, but I think it's something that your system just needs to work through...with all that re-routed plumbing and all. That's my extremely unmedical opinion. Good luck and God bless! -Kim open RNY 7/17/01 -147
   — KimBo36

November 5, 2002
I had quite a bit of strange upper torso pain postop, and my doc said it was from having my ribs spread during the procedure. It took a good 6 weeks, but it went away. As for the low energy, are you getting B-12? It must be either under the tongue or in a shot. My back also hurt when I lost alot of weight quickly, I think just from the adjustment of carrying less. Good Luck to you, and rest if you can.
   — Cara F.

November 5, 2002
Hi there, I'm not sure about the leak, but the pain in your breastbone sounds like what I have as well. I was told it is from the rib-spreaders they use during surgery and my surgeon said, sometimes can be due to the fact that right under the rib-cage is a very difficult place to put staples. I am 6 weeks post op (open RNY) and I still have the pain and it radiates to my back. I usually sleep with a ice-pack and it feels better, but if it does get too bad, I just take a mild pain killer. From what I've read and what the surgeon said it should go away soon. Vi
   — Vi F.

November 5, 2002
I had a leak that wasnt too, although I was put on a TPN pump for 3 weeks, no food or drink. I had very intense pain for the first 3 weeks after surgery it was in my back and it always got worse toward the end of the day. I would let your surgeon know about it. I was told my pain was either a pulled muscle from the surgery or a nerve that could have been hit. My back hurt worse than the actual inscions. Call your doc! Good luck!
   — Debbie W.