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Severe abdominal pain when inhaling and rapid heart rate

My VSG was 4-4-17. On or about 6-4, I developed a bad middle back pain. Around the 9th, I noticed severe cramping when I ate or drank. On 6-13, I had blood, x-rays, urine, ultrasound and CAT Scan. All normal, but CT Scan said, "adjacent to the greater curvature of the stomach suture line is inflammation within the mesenteric fat and a focal fluid collection either within the gastric wall or adjacent to it measuring 14mm which could represent an ulcer creator or post operative leak. Since I am not nauseous and no fever present, they sent me home, liquids only with Cipro Antibiotics. For 3 days, I have had about 100 degree fever and pain is still there when inhaling. Scared I may have leak. Not sure what is ahead of me. Lost 45 lbs. And was feeling great until this.

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Oh gosh :(

Hope you will be seeing someone soon that can help get you sorted out. Do you have an appointment with your surgeon again?

I would see your surgeon ASAP. I am amazed they just sent you home with antibiotics.

I would see your surgeon ASAP. I am amazed they just sent you home with antibiotics.

Did you have a fever initially when you first started having issues? If not, and your fever is still elevated and heart rate elevated, I will go to ER and they could/would contact your surgeon. How high is your heart rate? Although a fever will cause your heart rate to be higher. Did they do a EGD?


  • Author

Hello, no, my doc is doing a swallow test. The pain has subsided after 3 days on Cipro, but it is still there. When I eat just soup, heart increases to 98/min. Will contact my Bariatric Coordinator and Doc again today. Fever is gone this morning, but still 99.8 last night. My doc said he has never seen a leak 9 weeks after surgery. Either way, they need to find out what is going on.

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Your symptoms started at 8 weeks postop, and the problem might have taken a few days to manifest. So it was within the 2 month window.

Hopefully it isn't a leak, but prepare yourself mentally that you may need a stent.

Good luck!!!

  • Author

Thank you. Prayers.

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  • Author

So, now they are telling me it is a hemotoma.????

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  • Author

Has anyone has a hematoma on their stomach from VSG?

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A hematoma is basically a blood blister. Since they cut veins during the surgery, I imagine they could be pretty common. Hopefully it's no big deal, and it will resolve on its own. Sometimes they can be big enough to need draining. Keeping my fingers crossed for you!

This happened to my friend after an appendectomy. She started running a fever and had back pain. It was also warm to the touch. They basically said she had a "blood ball". They inserted a wire into it and drained it. She did have to stay in the hospital one night. Hopefully it can be resolved without that.

  • Author
A hematoma is basically a blood blister. Since they cut veins during the surgery, I imagine they could be pretty common. Hopefully it's no big deal, and it will resolve on its own. Sometimes they can be big enough to need draining. Keeping my fingers crossed for you!

Thank you so much. Going to post an update.

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  • Author

Update: Went in for a upper GI today. So stomach looks like a banana. At about the 2:00 position, it looks like a string dangling and attached to it is a small sac, 14 mm. The radiologist was not sure what it is. Is it an abcess, ulcer, Hematoma or leak? So Radiology and doc consulted and tomorrow I get a complete feeding tube for food and water for 2 weeks. Then they will do CT again and decide what next step is. They are hoping it will heal on its own. All blood tests are normal, no vomiting and pain subsided since on Cipro. I have faith in my doc, so will follow his guidance; going to take day by day and pray. If anyone else has had this kind of issue, please share. I don't understand nobody really knowing what is going on.

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Update: Went in for a upper GI today. So stomach looks like a banana. At about the 2:00 position, it looks like a string dangling and attached to it is a small sac, 14 mm. The radiologist was not sure what it is. Is it an abcess, ulcer, Hematoma or leak? So Radiology and doc consulted and tomorrow I get a complete feeding tube for food and water for 2 weeks. Then they will do CT again and decide what next step is. They are hoping it will heal on its own. All blood tests are normal, no vomiting and pain subsided since on Cipro. I have faith in my doc, so will follow his guidance; going to take day by day and pray. If anyone else has had this kind of issue, please share. I don't understand nobody really knowing what is going on.

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Thanks for update, I was thinking about you and wanted to see how u r doing. I'm glad u r feeling better! I will keep you in prayers. Wishing u well!


Update: Went in for a upper GI today. So stomach looks like a banana. At about the 2:00 position, it looks like a string dangling and attached to it is a small sac, 14 mm. The radiologist was not sure what it is. Is it an abcess, ulcer, Hematoma or leak? So Radiology and doc consulted and tomorrow I get a complete feeding tube for food and water for 2 weeks. Then they will do CT again and decide what next step is. They are hoping it will heal on its own. All blood tests are normal, no vomiting and pain subsided since on Cipro. I have faith in my doc, so will follow his guidance; going to take day by day and pray. If anyone else has had this kind of issue, please share. I don't understand nobody really knowing what is going on.

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It does seem odd that they don't know for sure. I assume they want to see if it shrinks on its own? But still. Answers would be comforting. How does the feeding tube work? Is it inserted into your pouch through your stomach?
At least your pain is gone. Thinking of you!

Glad you are getting good medical care, even if there are unanswered questions...

Hope this next two weeks goes quickly for you!

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