I am having a problem

[Risky1 9]

So long story short, had sleeve on march 21, all seemed to go well, was loosing a lot of weight, moving through the diet phases, about 4 weeks out was starting soft foods, took a trip for work while I was out there developed a problem that prevented me from eating or drinking, stomach pain, nausea constantly, by day 4 I flew back from Dallas to California, dr admitted me to hospital directly from airport, after some tests, it was determined that I has some stenosis develop, and a kink in my stomach. the pressure in my stomach forced a small leak up toward the esophageal sphincter, small so no fevers and such YET. Had surgery the next day. The had multiple options but decided the best was to cut some of the stomach muscle tissue to relieve the pressure and allow the kink in my stomach to relax. Thus relieving the pressure and this would allow the leak to heal obits own. The day I after surgery I felt great, was able to eat and drink. It was great.

Fast forward 8 days since that repair. I am constantly nauseated. I can eat without taking a Ativan first to relax muscles, I want to rip my stomach out as it just hurts all day long. Went and had upper GI yesterday and no sign of leak but did show that my stomach was very inflamed and irritated, motility is slowed and they don't quite now why. They said treatment at this point is to stay on soft full liquids, pain reliever, Ativan for a few more weeks, see if it resolves on its own, otherwise it's convert to a full bypass. They said they would have to wait that long anyway because there is nothing like a leak or anything lid threatening, at this point. I am just one of the few that is having a hard time with the healing process....

I am happy for the 80 lbs I have lost, but am so upset with feeling like **** all the time. I should have just had them convert to the full bypass when they went in the second time, that was an option, but I wanted to save the sleeve... Hindsight....

[swimmom 124]

Hang in there! For now, be thankful that you have lost 80 pounds and that you still have OPTIONS which will not interfere with your weight loss process! I am sorry you are having to go through this, but all is not lost!

[MizzouGirl 148]

So sorry that you are going through this. I really hope that time allows it to correct itself and that you feel better soon. I'm about 2 weeks pre-op and stories like yours scare me but it's good to know the risks and go into this eyes wide open. Hope you feel better asap!!!!

[Lisha73 97]

Keep positive thoughts...sounds like the weight loss is on track, but painful...I wish a quick recovery for ya...and if they convert to a full bypass you already know what to expect....Keep you head up.

[Risky1 9]

Ok so does anyone else have any stories of constant stomach pain/ache? Dr does not know why I would be having the discomfort. It is steady all day long, drinking a Protein shake does not stop it. As sometimes it feels like very severe hunger pains?

Anyway, at night I take a pain reliever to get the pain to go away so I can drink and hold stuff down.

Dr thinks that the answer may just be that I have to convert to a full bypass. I am very upset about this. But it's weird because I don't regret having the surgery, heck I lost sang near 90 lbs in two months!

I guess I could have done that stranded on a desert island as well.... But at least this way I wasn't hungry!?

[Lisha73 97]

I am sorry that you are going through this...I have not read any other posts with people having the situation that you are....Have you talked to a Gastro Dr....maybe there is something more going on.

[aquitenonnymouse 206]

Oof. I hope this heals well and you feel better!

[moonchild1968 102]

Bless your heart. That's got to be hard. Hang on to your positive attitude and keep looking at the bright side. Prayerfully, it will resolve on its own. If not, the doctors have options lined up. Here's hoping these troubles are behind you soon. Hang in there and please let us know how you're doing. All the best...

[Lissa 2,631]

It sounds like the doctor may be right to want to convert you to a full bypass. Can s/he offer reassurance that the conversion would end this pain? If so, I'd be on the table asap. If not, then wait until this heals. I'm sure they have checked, but could you have either an ulcer or an abcess? Did they put in a stent to hold the stomach in place until the healing process is finished? If so, perhaps the stent has slipped somehow? On the bright side, you ARE able to eat instead of being on TPN via IV. I do wish you luck on your journey. I'm sorry you're having a tough time, but glad that you've got medical people working to help you out.

[cookie90270 1]

I had the gastric sleeve and I have lost close to 75 pounds and I am also having severe pain in my stomach just had a gi endoscope done and everything came out normal other than white spots on my stomach they did a biopsy on it and haven't had any results yet. But they have me on so many pain medications and are also treating me for ibs when I never suffered from ibs before. At least they have giving you some options my only option so far is pain meds and anti depressant that will so call help me. But honestly I feel your pain and I hope you get better.. At times i so regret having the surgery but at times I don't. I just don't want to have this pain no more.

[Risky1 9]

Well, 9 weeks out down 102 lbs. stomach pain and discomfort still hanging on, but not as severe and not as constant. I am Still unable to eat solid dense Protein food in any amount, even if I chew it to mush, stomach just wants to reject it. liquid are tough, any time something enters my stomach, it makes me so nauseated and uncomfortable. not stuck like srticture, it goes down ok, just once its there, until it moves out of my stomach, i an just so nauseated and crampy. They did discuss TPN with me today as my weight loss is too fast and I can't get enough nutrients.

I am so happy for my weight loss, but at this point am ready to surrender the sleeve and convert to the full bypass. It is depressing. i have a few friends who had the sleeve and they had zero complications, the way it was supposed to be. now i am almost embarrassed to discuss it because I feel like I failed at this. Even though, I know it's not my fault. I just get to be the lucky rare one that gets to play stump the surgeons.

[Atlgadgetgrrl 6]

Have they checked you post operatively for h pylori? I have a friend who developed gastritis symptoms post op and it turned out to be h pylori. Good luck to you!

[Risky1 9]

Been a while, Thought i would update. 9 months out now. I feel fantastic! down 160 lbs, can eat any food i want, no issues, just not very much. No, I don't eat any food I want to, i stick to Protein and high nutrient foods. I have seriously no desire for Pasta or breads... Items i lived on before. i also have very little desire for fried foods. they do not sit well at all.

Anyway, All told I spent 30 days in the hospital, 4 different occasions, 2 leaks, 4 surgeries, an unsuccessful stent placement and because of that 2.5 months of NPO absolutely nothing by mouth, no Water no food, nothing. TPN via IV. Surgeons and staff were awesome! very patient with me and my wife who at times were blaming them for what was happening.

Time, Time was what i needed. the first 6 months sucked in a big way. I looked terrible, malnourished, grey, gross.

then like a switch being turned on everything was different. it was amazing. one day i went from not being able to eat anything and having no desire to eat at all, to actually having a desire to eat and being able too! my energy level did a 180 degree turn and i haven't looked back.

I eat nuts, lots of nuts, almonds, cashews, pistachios. I also drink lots of milk, milk was a life saver I could not tolerate Water or sugar free gatoraid, etc. but 2% milk was wonderful, it was cold, had nutrition and filled me up. I lived on it for about a month while I was transitioning from TPN to eating. water just doesn't taste the same any more and is hard to swallow for some (i am sure psychological) reason.

typical daily diet now might include the following in any combination,

oat meal

string cheese

meat ( steak, chicken, turkey, ham etc.

Nuts

broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, squash, etc

tuna or salmon

other fish

Milk 1% or 2%

water

Protein Bar

I will also have a cookie or candy on occasion. I find that eating these items or similar, i have to really try hard to get to 2000 calories a day because i am very full all day long.

I look at pictures from last Christmas and I almost cry i was so big and gross. My wife, who is not big, is just happy to have the man she married back... she cant get enough touch and amazement that she can actually get her arms all the way around me again after 21 years..

They said i would, and they were right. Even after all the complications. I am so glad I did this and have no regrets. had told me that 5 months ago i would have said you were insane.

[fotogrphr 69]

Awesome story! I love happy endings. God bless you.

[Marykatherine 38]

I want to reply to sooth your suffering. But I can't think of one useful thing to say.

Just don't forget to breathe through this whole process. Relaxation helps healing.

Good luck.