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potpieiii

Gastric Sleeve Patients
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Posts posted by potpieiii

  4. Posted

    I am so sorry to hear your journey has been so difficult so far' date=' but very glad to read your story knowing you are still here and able to write it! I too have blood clotting issues. The problem, no one knows why. I too have been tested for any blood clotting disorder under the sun with negative results. It all started years ago when I developed a superficial clot in my right leg. It wasn't a DVT, but it DID hurt the same. I spent a week in bed and then weeks recovering. Years went by and it was forgotten. Then in 2011 I had knee surgery to clean up some arthritis. Surgery went fine, but two days later I developed a DVT behind my knee. I was hospitalized and a day later had and embolism that resulted in blood clots in both of my lungs. I too spent a few days in ICU. That DVT was determined to be because of the surgery, so I spent 6months on blood thinners then went back to my normal life. Early this year I started having problems with my right leg. I feared it was another clot, so I had it checked. In March they said no clot, but probably vasculitis. About a month after my leg was worse, red and swollen from mid calf to my foot. I was checked again and this time a DVT (deep vein thrombosis) was found in my upper thigh. Since there was no known cause, this is what set off the first round of testing. I was put on Lovenox injections for about a week, followed by oral warfarin.(Coumadin) It takes about 3-4 days for warfarin to reach full effectiveness in your system. Anyway, I stayed off work a couple weeks to allow the swelling to go down. I returned to work and on the second day my leg ballooned up and was bright red. My doctor had me sent back to the ER to have the leg rescanned. This time they found the clot had grown larger, and had started to move further up in my vein. A small piece had broken free and I had a second pulmonary embolism. Given the fact I had been under treatment for several weeks when this occurred, that set off alarm bells. I was now being seen by a vascular doctor and a hematologist. I was fitted with an IVC filter to catch any further clots before they reach my heart/lungs. The hematologist ordered every other test imaginable to determine why I was clotting like this. To this day the answer is still unknown. The reason I decided to have WLS in part was to help improve my circulation. I had to clear it with each doctor who treated me for the clots, as well as the other clearances needed. I am on blood thinners for the rest of my life, with surgery I just had to switch from oral to injections for about a week. Since I have the filter already in place, the risk of another embolism was much smaller. ( If I did develop more clots) I walked into surgery a very high risk patient. I took every precaution I could, but knew it was a gamble. And luckily I walked out fairly unscathed. I do have some issues with a couple incisions due to the blood thinners effecting my healing time. ( and the tissue is a bit "mush" ) Other than that I was fortunate that I did ok. Sorry for the long story, but wanted you to know I feel for you and have an idea how you feel. Good luck, speedy recovery, and hope it is smooth sailing here out!!![/quote']

    Omg how scary!! Especially for it to keep coming back! I also am on blood thinners for the rest of my life (xarelto). I am very happy you made it through your ordeal. I hope you continue to improve!!!

  6. Posted

    Potpieiii-if you are like more I had some pretty tight clothes' date=' especially jeans so I'm still not seeing too much difference after 26 pounds. It will come! I am now seeing a difference in my underwear lol[/quote']

    Thanks TanyaB! That's very true; my clothes were tight to begin with. Thank you for the motivation!! :-)

    TanyaB reacted to this

  10. Posted

    I was sleeved on Oct. 1st and did good for the first week. The second week I started to go downhill ...quick. I had extreme pain in my lower back and right side near my ribs. I just assumed it was gas pain combined with my already low pain tolerance. Finally, the pain got so bad, and so constant, I checked myself in to the Emergency Room at the nearest hospital. There, they discovered I had blood in my urine, and ordered a CT Scan. Almost immediately after the CT Scan, the doctor came back and told me they discovered blood clots in a very unusual place: the arteries going from my spleen and my liver, as well as my lungs.

    I spent the night in the hospital and the kept me on an anti-clotting drug called Coumadin, and dilaudid for pain. They paged my surgeon who came in first thing the next morning to tell me he had been brainstorming with numerous other doctors on what went wrong and what could be done to save my life.

    He told me the hospital I was currently at did not have the team of doctors nor the medical equipment necessary to help me. So I was immediately transported by ambulance to another hospital in Denver.

    To say the least, I was TERRIFIED. Immediately upon arrival at the new hospital I went straight to the ICU where my husband and grandmother were waiting. They spared no time in getting me prepped for the first of three surgeries to remove the clots.

    I remember only bits and pieces after that. Mostly just the extreme pain, and fear. I remember being so weak, and my husband and grandmother stayed by my side the entire time. (Backstory: my grandma raised me, so she is more like my mom.)

    My husband brushed my hair, held my hand while they poked me endlessly with needles, and even brushed my teeth. One memory I have was right after my second surgery, and being so afraid, so I asked my grandma to hold my hand.

    Thanks to God and my team of doctors, upon completing the third surgery, all blood clots (with the exception of the one in my lung) were removed. I was then able to get out of the ICU and into a private room.

    Then the hardest part began: finding out why this happened. Every day for two weeks they drew blood two, sometimes three, times per day; sending the samples to various places around the country for testing.

    Finally, they found the answer. I am part of 2% of the nation that is a carrier for a genetic mutation/blood disorder called Prothrombin 20210a. I'm 31 years old and have never had any symptoms. But the only way of knowing about this genetic mutation would have been for me to have genetic testing done prior to surgery (which is extremely expensive and most health insurance companies do not cover that). Also, six years ago I had surgery to remove my gallbladder and had ZERO issues.

    The moral of the story is this: There are risks for any surgery. It's not my surgeon's fault, it's not my own fault. It it what it is. Would I go through the surgery now, even knowing about my blood disorder? I would have to talk to my surgeon to see if, knowing my problem, there would have been any precautions that could have been taken to avoid me almost losing my life, or see if my surgeon would even think I could be a candidate for the sleeve surgery.

    Bottom line is, I'm happy to be alive. I'm happy to be blessed with so many people that love and care about me.

    Just know that no matter how much planning we do, there are always risks involved.

    adargie, Teachamy, Someguy1383837857 and 5 others reacted to this

  16. Posted

    My doc allows Syntrax nectar. Only the fruit flavored ones once I have the surgery for my 'clear liquids' week. I havent had one since I havent had the surgery but others have said they are good. I have also heard you can use unflavored and add crystal light to it but as I said before I havent had surgery yet. so good luck

    I just got a sample of that. But I wasn't sure if I could use that yet til I talk to my doctor on Monday. I'm hoping that will work and taste better. :-) Thanks!!

  17. Posted

    I'm 10 days post op and my doctor has me on Clear Liquids for 3 weeks post op. So far the only Protein Drink I can find that meets the requirements my nutritionist has given me (less than 15g carbs, more than 11g protein) come from Isopure. And I LOATHE Isopure, every flavor. I'm worried that my complete lack of energy is coming from my lack of Protein, but I just can't seem to make myself sip something so horrible. So I've just been focusing on keeping hydrated. But I think I'm sabotaging my own recovery. Does anyone have any alternatives to Isopure? Or should I be ok for another week and a half just staying on top of getting my liquid in? I'm starting to get really depressed about this whole situation. :-(

  23. Posted

    Does it go away? I know I'm not physically hungry, but seeing commercials for food or hearing about food is driving me crazy! I am only 2 days post op, and really wasn't expecting this to be such a constant challenge. I know there is no way I could actually eat a cheeseburger right now, but I'm still craving it like crazy. Is anyone else experiencing or has experienced this?

  24. Posted

    I had surgery on Oct 1st. Came home yesterday. I'm feeling awful. I'm in so much pain. It hurts to sit' date=' walk, sleep. I can't get in 64ozs of liquids. Did anyone else have a problem with that? I am so nauseated. I pray this goes away. I literally just want to cry from how sick I feel.[/quote']

    Oh no that's no good at all. :-( Are you staying on top of your pain meds? Do you maybe need something stronger?

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