Newbies - Watch out of dehydration

[kellim 0]

Since this really snuck up on me I thought it might be worth passing on...

The first couple days after banding I had the 'gas pains' in my shoulders, neck, and chest that are pretty common. I walked frequently and they went away. I say this only because on the forth day post-op, when I began feeling like my stomach was tight and 'overly full' I attributed it to what I was eating (clear liquids, jello) thinking I was putting to much in too quickly. So I slowed down, and than really slowed down, because after only a couple sips it started hurting and felt like my stomach was going to 'pop'. Then I started getting nausea and came close to vomiting (felt like I ripped out my staples) but it passed. I spoke to my doctors office and the nurse thought the nausea might be from the medicine I was taking and suggested I cut them up and take them over 1/2 hour or so.

The next day I still felt like I was going to 'pop', sips of anything hurt and the nausea came and went all day. By the end of the day I began to feel serious sick with nausea, headache, dizzyness, lightheaded, cramps, clammy skin... I called the nurse again and she asked how my Fluid intake was going and if I was urinating frequently. I realized that I hadn't used the bathroom since early that morning and that I hardly drank anything because I felt like I was already 'too full'. She said it sounded like I was dehydrated and for me to started drinking 'Pedialyte' immediatly and that I might need an IV (hospital). She also said to get some gas medicine because the 'overly full' feeling wasn't from the liquid diet it was from me swallowing too much air.

Wow, I took some Malox chewable Gas tablets and even though I still felt somewhat bloated, it made all the difference. I was actually able to drink the entire liter of Pedialyte (over a few hours) and I started to feel normal again.

If I would have known that the 'tight, overly full' feeling was gas right from the start or if I would have recognized the early symptoms of dehydraton I wouldn't have almost ended up back in the hospital. I have learned so much from this forum so I am just hoping that this might help someone else.

Best of luck...

[JasmineM 0]

Thank you for the post. That is exactly how I was feeling today, 4 day post op. My chest feels so tight. I just poured myself a glass of Water as I realized I haven't been drinking much either.

[tx girl 0]

Thanks! I was just telling my husband that I wished I knew if the tight feeling was being full or gas. I haven't been able to even get down a bottle of Water a day becasue of the pain in the chest (upper stomach). Tomorrow I go back to full mommy duty with my 2 yr old and 5 month old so I guess I need to rehydrate and get some energy. Thanks for the info!

[GaryB 0]

Kellim - thanks for sharing, I am 3 days away from my band date and every story I read helps. It sound like you are doing well. Keep up the positive spirits...

[Lanakila 1]

There are lots and lots of others who are posting over on the August 2008 Bandsters boards. C'mon over and introduce yourself to the 280+ band buddies there! Who's on your date? Who's in your state?

From the home page, scroll down the menu on the left and choose Monthly Lap Band Support Groups, then select August 2008.

Or, you can use this link: http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f183/

You'll love it!

[pj_txlady 0]

Yes, the same happened to me last week. My surgery was Aug. 4th. I felt great tues and wed, then on thurs I started feeling very sick at my stomach, started having dry heaves bad. Friday it was the same. Called Dr. Friday, he had me go to his office. He deflated my band, gave me a shot for upset stomach. By the time I went down 5 floors to ground level, I had dry heaves again ... so embarrassed, people were sitting in lobby. :whatchutalkingabout

Saturday morning I woke up my Mom and Hubby and said lets go to ER. ( 5am ) I was dry heaving and it would not stop. I was DEHYDRATED. They gave me 2 bags of IV. Took a urine test and it showed not calories in my urine. They did cat scan and I am so thankful band is ok. Today is the first day I have felt pretty good since I have been pretty weak, and my tummy was very swollen. Going back to Dr. tomorrow. Hope he puts me on something beside liquids, getting tired of chicken noodle broth, Jello, tea, Protein shots..etc.

so do keep a sippy cup in your hand at all times, I didnt know.

[pinkposey 0]

Hello, I was banded on August 5th, and the first few days I didn't feel really too weak, mostly just the soreness from the surgery. But today I have felt so weak, and I have not been urinating many times during the day either. I do keep a bottle of Water with me and try to sip on it all day, but my mouth is really dry. I was thinking that either I'm getting dehydrated and/or I'm not getting enough calories in. I go back to my surgeon for my first follow-up tomorrow, so I'm trying to keep drinking Water. I actually had my son pick me up a peanutbutter milkshake (I know, that's probably a big no no) because I feel like my blood sugar level may be low and that I need some calories. Thanks for posting this info on here, it helps to see what others are going through.

-Rose Ann

[pj_txlady 0]

Everynight since my surgery Aug. 4th I have been running a low grade temp. It starts around 5:30 pm, the highest it has ran is 100.1. Is anyone else running a fever this long after surgery. ??

[KathrynH 0]

PJ - TXLady

I ran a fever just like that and is scared me to death! It would do that in the evening. The highest was 100.7. Called nurse who told me to use the incentive spirometer 10 x per hour and drink fluids. I did that and it seemed to really help. I hear that after surgery, some people just run a low-grade temp and it's really not a fever. Just our individual body's response. Mine finally stopped when I became active over this past weekend and started back to work yesterday (2 weeks post-op). Take your Tylenol, drink, and breathe!!!!!!

[Shamrockgirl60 1]

Had some of the same problems, felt too full to even drink my shakes. So I now am forcing myself to sip my Water with crystal light all day. Little sips. The bloating is so common, from all gas and Fluid trapped in your stomach area. Also I was going to the bathroom every few hours and having well very loose stools. It was awful, If I just moved it would come pouring out. Poor family had to wash my sheets and some clothing. The nurse said that would be better once I am on some solid (mushy) food at the end of this week. Will be able to have some cottage cheese and applesauce. Yummmmy LOL

Well Week one is almost gone, and I hope it gets better, I just hate being so tired. Wanting to sleep.

take care

Pati

[pj_txlady 0]

I have the same problem with the loose stools. I am on liquids now. IT IS TERRIBLE. I go back to work Thurs and I'm concerned. lol, i may have to buy some Depends. :whatchutalkingabout