TXShannon

22 minutes ago, Bigsuzy1969 said:

So sorry to read this! This is my main concern on not having the surgery. I have very thin blood and every procedure I have had in the past, I would not stop bleeding. Is it possible in your history to have had a blood coagulation test done prior to surgery. This scares me because I would be on self pay and cold not afford a cash complication like that

They will always do a clotting test before surgery. And I was fine on that day. It was when they put me back on anticoagulants two days later that things went bad. But they also had to "over sew" my staple line, so I think it was a combination of things.

Do NOT let my story discourage you. Complications are rare, and the benefits of the surgery far outweigh the risks!

Just thought I'd post an update. As I wrote last week, I was rushed back into emergency surgery after being home from my VSG on 9 August. I had bled into my abdomen, causing extreme pain and low blood counts. Two transfusions and a week later, and I'm doing much better. I'm still in the hospital, but if all goes according to plan, I get to go home tomorrow.

The culprit for my post-op bleed was a too-high dose of Lovenox (blood thinner). I have a genetic blood clotting disorder and a history of near-fatal pulmonary embolism, so my hematologist took a very aggressive approach to anticoagulation post-surgery. Obviously, it was too aggressive. I've been on a lower dose for about 5 days, and all seems stable. I still have to transition to my regular blood thinner (Coumadin), but I'm hopeful I can do that at home.

In spite of all of this, I have no regrets about this surgery. I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Thanks for the support!

Today seems to be a much better day. I had to have a blood transfusion last night, which definitely helped with my fatigue.

I kind of knew my surgery would be risky. I have a genetic blood clotting disorder, and I take a blood thinner daily. In preparation for the surgery, I had to switch to a shorter-acting medication so that I wouldn't bleed as much during the surgery. But my hematologist started me back on the thinners on day 2 post op. Apparently, that's what caused the massive internal bleeding. So, when they do start the thinners again, I'll be hospitalized just in case I start to bleed again. It's all very tricky because I had a massive PE (blood clots in my lungs) in 2013. Without the anticoagulants, I could clot. With them, I could bleed.

As it is, I feel much better today than I did on Monday or Tuesday. Hopefully, the worst is behind me. Thanks for all your well wishes and prayers. They meant a lot.

I'm doing better today. You just never think you'll be the 1% with a bleed! I still can't believe how much blood they found. I have already had 1 transfusion, and I hope that's enough!

Thanks for all the warm wishes and prayers. It means a lot to me! ❤️

After a day of incredible pain, I called my surgeon. He told me told me to go to the ER, where I would have a CT scan to look for leaks. Sure enough, there was over 1.5 liters of blood in my abdomen. After another surgery, I'm resting in my hospital room, proving once again that Murphy's Law is still alive and well for me!

22 minutes ago, Berry78 said:

The first week, a slightly elevated temp is normal. Anything over 100.5, run by your doc. If the low grade fever continues past day 8, mention it to your doc. If you start feeling bad... yep, mention it your doc.

A temp of 102 or higher is go to the ER.

Thank you!

My temp is up to 99.7. Should I be concerned? I'm post-op day 4.

1 hour ago, Noworneverthin said:

No bm for me yet either. I'm in a lot of pain. I can barely walk, sometimes I can and sometimes the muscle pulling and burning is too much. Stomach gurgling all the time and tons of trapped air in tummy, chest and back. In tears as I write. Your not alone and we will be OK
Its just a big surgery and we need to relearn how to eat like a 2 month old. Hang in there

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You're right. I took a nice nap, which seems to have helped a lot. Are you on any pain meds? I have Tylenol 3 (codeine), and it definitely helps take the edge off the pain. But I'm having all of the same symptoms. You hang in there, too!

On 8/11/2017 at 6:24 PM, Noworneverthin said:

I was sleeved on Aug 9. The first two days were so painful, I was on morphine. Day 3 is wayyyy better. Pain scale 3 when I get up. Drinking feels weird and I can hear gas gurgling. Also my large incision on the right looks swollen compared to the other incisions

Sent from my LGMS550 using BariatricPal mobile app

I had my sleeve done the same day (9 August). And I'm having the same experience regarding the swollen incision on the right and the gurgling when drinking. I seem to be having more pain than you, but I've still got a lot of trapped air. I know walking is the best for that, but it is just too hot here in south Texas. Also still no BM, so I'm sure that's not helping. Any advice?