Sunshine

I have had the spasms since the day of surgery (Monday). They are called Esophageal Spasms. It's the bottom part of your espophagus that is having spasms. I have them all the time.

The Dr. gave me a medicine called Levisil (spelling?)...which is a muscle relaxer and it helps TREMENDOUSLY.

The spasm (from all my researching and talking to people) will only last a maximum of a few weeks.

Yes, they are painful....but take that medicine religiously, and it works!!

I am 4 days post op and I have had them all day today. They hurt like heck...but knowing that they'll go away soon is what's helping me.

Good Luck hon....and ask for that medicine. You put it under your tongue and it dissolves. It's been a lifesaver for me!

I'll be thinking about you.

I was getting scared too Dansha. I know that everyone handles this surgery differently. I was becoming severly dehydrated because the pain of the spasms made me not drink. My Dr. came in and basically stated that I need to suck it up and drink. Period. And I did --- and it helped. I am still having spasms this morning, but nothing like I had in the last two days. So I wonder if it's caused by dehydration itself.

Thanks for all the support guys. The surgery was a hard one for me...and I'm still very sore, but I have hope by reading your posts...telling me that this WILL pass.

Love to all of you!

I took Loritab.....I'm better now.

Thanks for the well-wishes....but I am in so much pain. I don't have a leak (that's been confirmed). No fever.

But, I feel as though I've been hit by a mack truck. I started to become dehydrated in the hospital...so EIGHT bags of Fluid and a lot drinking...I STILL feel bad.

I had a BM today and some gas FINALLY. I still can't burp.

I haven't had Loritab in 12 hours and I'm going to take some now. Is it normal to be in a lot of pain like this? Will this pass??????????????

Thanks for all the kind words: I had the surgery Monday and I jut got home (Wednesday evening). I can honestly say that I feel like crap. I'm assuming the upper chest/shoulder pain is from the gas. And, that the aches and pains in the mid regions are from the surgery itself. I have had LOADS of esophageal spasms which are horrific. The Dr. was going to make me stay another day if I didn't get more hydrated. After EIGHT bags of Fluid and 3 hours of drinking 1 ounce every 10 minutes..I was released.

Question: is it normal to feel THIS bad after surgery? I keep reading how some people are jumping around after surgery. Not me.......at all.

To the person in Knoxville - I went to Dr. Rutledge. He is the Bariatric Director at Erlanger.

Soooo, I got 'sleeved' yesterday at 8am @ Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga.

Surgery went well. The problem I had w/surgery, was the way the anesthesia made me feel.

Although I did have an issue: I am having SEVERE esophageal spasms. These hurt. I I even swallow a melted ice chip --- my stomch will have a MAJOR spasm. So, because of this, I haven't wanted to drink anything. They have confirmed that it's not a gastric leak. The Radiologist stated that he could actually watch my stomach spasm through the machine.

I had a morphine drip, but it didn't touch the pain. The gave me Levsil (muscle relaxer) and it barely did the trick. So they gave me a double dose of Levsil and then two Loritabs. FINALLY I felt better.

The pain is tolerable (spasms)...but EVERYTHING else ran VERY smoothlyt. I am soooo happy.

You'll be okay. I licked a chip today. he he he he

Well, I'm here @ the hotel. My husband and son are swimming and will be going out to eat @ Cracker Barrel. I live 1.5 hours away from the hospital, so it was easier to get a hotel close to the hospital since I have to be there @ 6am.

My pre-op directions were for today only. One day of Clear liquids and also to take 1 bottle of Magnesium Citrate. I purposely barely ate anything yesterday so it would make it for an 'easier' and 'quicker' experience today due to the liquid laxative I had to take.

So, I'm sitting here feeling all sorts of things. Weird things. Things I expected to feel. It's crazy.

I just needed to reach out and share this with ya'll.

If you aren't fond of the shakes, try Isopure. It's like a Gatorade.

Ice chips it will be. I understand the reasoning behind...but I just wish I didn't have to have a dry mouth.

On the day of your surgery....are you allowed to drink anything at all? I keep hearing 'complaints' of being extremely thirsty and not having anything to drink. (just wondering............)

(sorry)...I hope you know I meant for you to get well before you go to a new Dr.

Yes, the ER can help you. Heck, they HAVE to.

What exactly does your PCP say?

First - I am so sorry you are dealing with this. It must be very hard.

Also, the fact that you just want 'closure' as to the reason this happened....I wish you luck.

Yes, we all know there are risks. But, if something has happened, ...the Dr. should give you an explanation. Period.

What would I do if I was in your position: Get a lawyer. Period. Tell him the story. He can give you answers as to what your options are. There are Medical Boards that investigate things like this...but I can honestly tell you I don't know how to go about looking for them. But...go to a lawyer that specializes in medical things.

Wish you luck, and please keep us informed.

P.S. You can always request your medical records.

If you don't like shakes....try Isopure. It's similar to a Gatorade drink. Full of Protein. And, it's 'okayed' by my Dr. to drink instead of the shakes.< /p>

Was told NOT to drink it. But that's good. I've discovered Isopure. I will NEVER drink a Protein Shake. My surgery is in 3 days and Isopure has saved my sanity in regards to the Protein stuff.

I havne't had surgery yet, but I can tell you that I DREADED the Protein drinks. I don't really drink milk, or anything like that. I had a sip of one Protein Drink (the grittiness) and it about made me sick.

So, I tried the Isopure. HEAVEN. I can do those. Without a doubt.

Dr.'s office stated it is allowable for my Protein Drinks, and that I wouldn't have to drink a shake or stuff like that if I didn't want to!!!!!

Bring on the sugery!!!

My pretesting consisted of the following (it was done 2 days ago):

- Upper GI (swallow test)

- EKG (done it about 2 seconds...literally)

- BP, P, R and they took blood

That's it. It was all done in less than 2 hours.

I'm new on here too, and my surgery is the 19th also!!!

Thanks so much!!

What kind did you get? Maybe I'll 'suck it up' and try one. Is it really nasty and gritty?

Currently: I am a 43 yr old woman. Mother of 1. Married for almost 10 years. I am 5' 5" & 242 pounds. From southern TN area.

Past: Extremely thin all my life until around 19. Before that, I was the girl in H.S. that everyone said they were jealous of because I was soooo thin. 100-105 lbs. in H.S.

Reason(s) for weight gain: All sorts of things. Bad things in my life, not exercising anymore, got a car so I didn't have to walk everywhere, got married/divorced, parents died...etc.,etc.,etc. But --- the REAL reason was because I ate. Period. MY FAULT. I own it.

Surgery of choice: The Sleeve. I have a few friends who have had The Band with little results. The friends I have that have had the Bypass - well, they have all been sick since. So, I chose The Sleeve due to those reasons, along with the fact that it's the 'best' choice for me and it's the 'medium' surgery on the scale of WLS's. I've done loads and loads of research.

Timeline: Time from calling for 1st weight loss seminar to the date of surgery - 34 days. Yes, very quick. Why? ....'cause I'm Self-Pay. Insurance doesn't cover ANY WLS's. Surgery is the 19th of this month. Just a few days away. I've been thinking about this for a long time though.

Finances: I'm self-pay. I've read that many people ask how they have come up with the $. Well, my house is paid off...so I just went and got a Home Equity Loan and will pay it off in a few years (or sooner if my timeshare at Disney will sell!!!)

My family: Supportive, but nervous. Husband is glad I'll be happy, but loves me the way I am. Son (9) is worried I'll look a lot different. Both are somewhat nervous that I'll stop cooking the 'good food'. My brother (and the only sibling I've told...and basically, the only sibling I'm close with) doesn't want me to get it. He says he loves me the way I am and wants me to feel better about myself. I told him it had nothing to do with that. He'd never understand though. He's 40 and has a 29 inch waist with a six-pack. Yes,....a six-pack and he NEVER works out. I know...it's crazy. So, overall.....support is there. All 3 men in my life will be there for surgery.

Friends: The ones I've told are very supportive.

Pre-Op plan: Magnesium Citrate 1 day prior. liquid Diet 1 day prior.

Health Issues I have: none

My reasons for wanting surgery: Other than the obvious reasons, ....I'm sure all of you can relate to my reasons. I want to feel good. I've been overweight for 20 years. It's time. I may be healthy now, but I will not be healthy for much longer if I stay this size.

My fears: I'm not scared of the surgery. I'm not scared of the pain. I'm scared that I will hate eating since I've heard so much about the hard-to-swallow issue. For some reason -- that is my biggest fear. The fact that I will hate to eat. Also, I don't want to stop cooking for my family. I'll cook healthier...but I don't want MY plans to affect them too much.

My schedule for surgery: Show up at 6am, surgery at 8am. In on Monday....and out on Wednesday.

Preparation: I've bought EVERYTHING needed. Got all my RX's. food. I know the hospital I go through individualizes the plans and I told them that I would not do the Protein shakes. I KNOW I wouldn't keep them down. It would be of no use. So, we will be doing the bullets, and Isopure for the liquid phase. Isopure/bullets/non-flavored Protein to put on mushy food for the other phases. Then, when I can eat...the protein will be taken care of. But I know me....and I'll eat loads of protein.

So....that is me. I'm excited. I'm scared. I am prepared to run through every emotion possible (anger at myself, regret, guilt, happiness, relief, etc etc). My finances are in order. I have an Advanced Directive (already had one). House is spotless so I don't have to worry about it. Yard will be mowed 2 days before surgery.he he. Prepared my family. Told some friends. Researched and researched more.

I'm new to this forum. Only been on about a week. So far, I've learned so much. I know I will rely on you guys a lot during my journey. Then, I hope to 'pass it on' to other newbies.

Thank you for reading this. And I hope this helps you understand me a little better.

I am soooooooooooooooo excited. I've been smiling the entire time I was reading this!!!!!:biggrin0::thumbup::thumbup1:

You seem like such a lovely person. I wish you all the luck in the world. I will be praying for you.

Ironically, I'm sitting here eating a bowl of Ramen noodles when I saw this post. It will be one of my last meals before I have surgery. lol lol

I just asked my coordinator if Ramen noodle broth was allowable and she said it was IF I diluted it with Water a lot, and low sodium chicken broth. It has a high sodium content.

I love hot dogs...but I've heard that many post-op patients get sick off of them, so I'm a little scared. But I can definitely see how it would go down a little softer. Although, the thought of chewing a hot dog till it's basically 'sauce' makes it a little unappealing to me. lol