Complications

[CrazyCatLady 130]

I had been an active participant on VST up until a few days ago - just wanted to fill you in as to why.

I was sleeved on April 16th with Dr Aceves in Mexicali, MX. Surgery went well for me and I had no major complaints, just the standard issues (drank part of my methylblue leak test on first day post-op too fast, got horrendous gas pain, etc). Was discharged on April 19th, where I drove the 4+ hours home myself. Felt fairly decent the first week out, though had some odd sensations : my abdomen would become puffy and painful if I consumed watered juices or Protein of any kind. I could feel stomach-like sensations in my upper left abdomen, I had some extensive soreness, However, I have a very high pain tolerance and just soldiered on.

Thursday the 26th was the first day post-op I actually felt "good". Went for a walk, helped cook for family, was up and around. Laid down for a nap in the afternoon and was woken up by nagging left flank pain.

As the night progressed, my left flank pain spread to both flanks, I developed dull low abdomen pain, my core body joints ached, I just felt terrible. Couldn't sleep, paced the floor most of the night, pain worsening. I kept rationalizing that I was probably just oversensitive. Finally, at 2 in the afternoon, I told my husband I just didn't feel right and that I was going to the ER.

By this point, I was convinced I had either a kidney stone or a kidney infection - the left flank pain was stabbing and painful, my urine was tea colored and concentrated, I was so nauseated that I could hardly sip anything. But here's where things get fun:

Because of my recent surgery, the ER doc decided to order a full abdominal and pelvic CT scan with oral and IV contrast (choking down that contrast was terrible). After many hours of waiting, the ER doc comes flying into my triage bay with that bad-serious look they get, and tells me,

"You have a very rare (but not entirely unknown) complication of gastric surgery - you have a large blood clot partially blocking your portal vein at the hepatic junction. The radiologist on duty called the Head of Radiology at home to read your CT, and what he said to me was, "Is this patient now dead?"

WTF - what we learned in nursing school is that PVT (portal vein thrombosis) is a condition that is generally not compatible with life. I admit I cried, rather ingraciously. I was admitted to the hospital friday night and am expected to be here a few more days,

Since my admission, new things keep cropping up. My pancreatic enzymes are all out of whack. My nausea is barely controlled with IV push Zofran. They moved me up to dilauded for pain management....this is huge, I normally don't even take Tylenol!

Over the last 24 hours, I started spiking cyclical fevers, my white blood cell count keeps going all over the place. I now have rebound pain in the upper right quadrant of my abdomen, so the hematologist suspects acute gall bladder attack - I'll be getting an abdominal ultrasound shortly.

Two morals of the story here - complications can happen to anyone. I happened to have surgery out of the country, so I am certain someone will bring this up, but portal vein thrombi are rare birds no matter what. I have been in contact with Dr Aceves' office and they have been supportive through the entire process.

Second - always follow your Spider Sense. If you don't feel right, get checked out. I could have died at home. Heck, I'm not out of the woods yet - hematology tells me I will need agressive management with blood thinners for the next 6 to 12 months, and there are no guaranteed outcomes.

Just wanted to pass along were I've been. I will let you know more as I know more. Only good part of this? Abdominal CT showed my sleeve as perfect, no leaks or issues...just very tight

[hope2Bfitand40 37]

Wow, I am sending up prayer for you. Best wishes.

[Nadz 74]

Good luck to you! You will be in my thoughts and prayers!

[shortypants 26]

Wow! Are you lucky! Keep us oosted on your recovery. We are thinking of you.

[Delta_35 129]

Praying for you and best wishes on a speedy recovery!!!

[Julie76 251]

Lots of prayers coming your way!

[Dooter 1,457]

PRAYING FOR YOU NOW!!!!

[Ms skinniness 3,003]

This is a nightmare for you. Sending healing energy your way. I'm picturing your blot clot getting smaller and smaller and just going away! This is a mental exercise you can do in addition to medical interventions. Use it through out your day. Will be thinking about you so please keep us posted as to how your doing.

[cookies 56]

Thanks for this post. I never think of blood clots being in areas like that...and so far from surgery, too. I hope you recovery quickly.

[Webchickadee 716]

Wow! Really sending you healing vibes! I have to admit, I'm a bit frightened now. I'm scheduled for May 14, and this is just the sort of scenario I'm subconciously worrying about!

I'm in generally good health, so I think things should go fairly well, but as you say, complications can happen to anyone! From what I've read, portal vein thrombosis occurs in approx. 0.7% of patients (that's REALLY low!), so you've been amazingly unlucky to be in that group. But also amazingly lucky to have survived and be on the road to recovery!

Keeping you in our thoughts. Focus on improvement and I hope to be reading more good news from you in the coming days/weeks.

[MamaT 47]

Holy moly- I hope you are feeling better soon- good thoughts sent your way!!!

[RMS 64]

Keeping you in my prayers.

Sent from my iPhone using VST

[ChaChaBurch 60]

Lifting you up in my prayers! Please keep us posted!!

[4ALongerLife 329]

I'm so sorry. I know this is scary and stressful and freaks you out. I have had so many complications that I totally understand, althought PVT isn't one that I had. Please do your best to remain positive. Remember, you are now in the hospital where they are best qualified to serve you and your body's needs - and w/in the blink of an eye. I will keep you in my prayers.

[Vance_ 217]

So sorry you are going through this. Praying for a full recovery!