TMI problem, vomiting and diarrhea

[Cguen 0]

Sorry for signing up and then immediately posting something TMI. I've been lurking for a while but signed up to ask/vent about this issue, since my bariatrics office is closed on weekends and I can't talk to my surgeon until Monday.

So I had my sleeve done on the 2nd of this month. All went swimmingly. This past Monday I had my one week post-op and again, everything went swimmingly -- except for my pulse. My pulse measured 143 and I was admitted to the ER and eventually placed inpatient as it was determined I'd developed acute metabolic acidosis. Okay, that's my bad, thought I'd been consuming enough Water but I guess not. Once my bicarbonate levels were normal again I was discharged, on Thursday. My issue started after that.

Since coming home, I've been struck with severe nausea and stomach cramps, and since last night have been vomiting and having diarrhea frequently. I can't drink anything, and I've been trying desperately to keep hydrated through this. Any time I drink, within five minutes it's leaving my body again. And, to be extra TMI, the diarrhea is... yellow. As if there's excess fat in the stool. Which there shouldn't be, since all I consume is water and... well, Protein water.

I tried OTC medicine like Kaopectate, but it didn't help at all. I was wondering if I'd picked something up while in the hospital, but if it was bacterial, Kaopectate should've helped right? All the way leading up to surgery I was told over and over about preventing Constipation, so this is kinda the last thing I expected lol.

Has anyone else dealt with this after having a sleeve? Did you find any way to alleviate it? I'll be talking to my doctor on Monday (and crossing my fingers I won't have to go back in the hospital for a third time this month...) but man I'm really not looking forward to another day of going back and forth between the toilet and the bed.

[catwoman7 10,875]

I wouldn't worry that much about the yellow stool because weird stool colors aren't uncommon the first month or so after surgery. Your insides have been mucked around with, so you're likely to see weird things until everything settles down again. I had yellow stool for the first month or so, too.

and the diarrhea part isn't unheard of. Yes Constipation is a LOT more common, but some people have diarrhea instead.

the vomiting, stomach pains, and not being able to keep Water down is a bit odd, though. I think I'd be tempted to go to urgent care or the ER this weekend if this keeps up - if nothing else, for peace of mind.

[Jeanniebug 472]

Did they do a CT scan? With the fast heart rate, they really should be checking you for a pulmonary embolism. Not being able to keep down Water, with diarrhea and vomiting, it is definitely concerning and may point to a blockage or stricture.

I agree with @catwoman7, you might want to get back to the ER.

Of note, I had diarrhea the ENTIRE time I was on liquids - so I'm not surprised there. But, I only had vomiting for a day or two after surgery.

[BigSue 1,320]

Have you tried calling your surgeon’s office? Even if they’re not open on the weekend, they probably have an on call service during off hours.

[Fred in Pa 231]

It sounds to me like you are severely dehydrated. Did they give you fluids in the hospital?

About two weeks after my surgery, I developed metabolic ketoacidosis, high heart rate and was admitted. They gave me what they called a banana bag of fluids and nutrients.

Severe dehydration can cause your high heart rate, vomiting, and diarrhea. Your high heart rate can also be atrial flutter brought on by dehydration. I had that, and the heart rate that is approximately double normal is a key symptom.

As Jeanniebug points out, you should also be checked for blood clots and a CT scan for leakage. I was checked for both while admitted.They thought they saw a small clot, and I was placed on blood thinners as a precaution.

Please get with your team ASAP and get this checked. Your team should have someone on call from their answering service. Mine did, and I was admitted on a Saturday. Be persistent. Consider the ER if required.

Lastly, don’t worry about stool color as you go through a rainbow until your system settles and you get into a normal routine.

Edited May 14, 2023 by Fred in Pa

[Cguen 0]

Hello, thank you for all the responses

I did have a CT scan to check for leaks when I was admitted for acidosis, and was regularly checked for blood clots, all was fine. After discharge I was able to tolerate liquids just fine and was hitting my goals, until Saturday.

Sunday I seemed to be getting better throughout the day, but when I took a turn for the worse I went to the ER Sunday night. Diagnosis is: pancreatitis.

Even though I don't have a gallbladder and (obviously, as a gastric patient) don't drink, apparently developing pancreatitis is unusual but not super rare after gastric surgery. When they said it, all my symptoms just made sense. I had giardiadis several years ago and was thinking my symptoms seemed a lot like that; it being pancreatitis makes sense.

I wasn't able to get in contact with my surgical team on my own, but the ER staff was. Everything in my file's up to date now. Sadly all I can do for treatment is IV Fluid and pain management until it improves... but better than nothing. Trusting my body and reading your comments, I'm glad I got to the ER when I did

[southernmomofive 13]

How are you feeling? I am new here but in the medical field. I would co tact your surgeon(?) Hope you are improved