Nobody to relate to anymore on this site..just really fed up with abdomen problems

[phatgirl]

Long term post op

Hi there hun, I am one of those long term post ops who drifted away after reaching my goal. I have to say the main reason was that I just didn't need as much support when I was at my goal. Also, it kinda felt like all I thought about, talked about etc. was my weight and maybe I should move on emotionally if that makes any sense. Sounds selfish now when I type it but I want to be honest about my motivations at the time. Initially that is why I pulled away. I additionally had some personal issues with a soured friendship, so I ended up distancing myself completely from the weight loss surgery community. Ultimately I regret that choice. Shortly afterwards, my health declined due to underlying health issues that worsened after my surgery so much so that I ended up medicated to my eyeballs, plagued by pain disorders, sometimes bedridden and suffering badly with depression. As you can guess weight gain soon followed furthering my depression and adding embarrassment to the mix. It was terrible and if it hadn't been for some brilliant medical intervention plus support of my friends and lovely hubby I would still be in that pit. I went back to basics and treated my pouch like it was brand new, and slowly changed my habits back to the good ones. The pounds shifted and I felt the pride of accomplishment, it took at least 6 months to get myself back to where I was before but I have maintained for more than a year so I feel like it has stuck for good this time. The pounds went on slowly over a couple of years so it was a sneaky problem that I denied existed. The shame I felt was HUGE because all I did to get the surgery and how hard I worked to make it a success, I felt I let myself and others down. I am very happy to say I am now much healthier than I was a few years ago both in my body and my head.

I hope that anyone who struggles with post op complications or regain will take hope in knowing that all is not lost and we are really resilient creatures capable of anything we set our hearts and minds on.

Wishing you all the best and crossing my fingers that you will soon find answers about your pain xXx

 

[chrisa]

It was fab to hear from Long termers. I am almost 31/2 years post now and I have a regain of about a stone and 1/2 which has now levelled out and my bidy seems happy here, I am back to a size 20 I did get to an 18 but have come from a 32 -34, I have read all yiour comments and think although I suffer often I haven't thankfully had some of your issues, I am aware now though so will be watching and waiting should anything arise. Thank you guys I appreciate it. I am so pleased that you are in touch with Emma Louise she is really experiencing some awful times and has done for quite a while now. x

 

[emma-louise]

Hi there hun, I am one of those long term post ops who drifted away after reaching my goal. I have to say the main reason was that I just didn't need as much support when I was at my goal. Also, it kinda felt like all I thought about, talked about etc. was my weight and maybe I should move on emotionally if that makes any sense. Sounds selfish now when I type it but I want to be honest about my motivations at the time. Initially that is why I pulled away. I additionally had some personal issues with a soured friendship, so I ended up distancing myself completely from the weight loss surgery community. Ultimately I regret that choice. Shortly afterwards, my health declined due to underlying health issues that worsened after my surgery so much so that I ended up medicated to my eyeballs, plagued by pain disorders, sometimes bedridden and suffering badly with depression. As you can guess weight gain soon followed furthering my depression and adding embarrassment to the mix. It was terrible and if it hadn't been for some brilliant medical intervention plus support of my friends and lovely hubby I would still be in that pit. I went back to basics and treated my pouch like it was brand new, and slowly changed my habits back to the good ones. The pounds shifted and I felt the pride of accomplishment, it took at least 6 months to get myself back to where I was before but I have maintained for more than a year so I feel like it has stuck for good this time. The pounds went on slowly over a couple of years so it was a sneaky problem that I denied existed. The shame I felt was HUGE because all I did to get the surgery and how hard I worked to make it a success, I felt I let myself and others down. I am very happy to say I am now much healthier than I was a few years ago both in my body and my head. I hope that anyone who struggles with post op complications or regain will take hope in knowing that all is not lost and we are really resilient creatures capable of anything we set our hearts and minds on. Wishing you all the best and crossing my fingers that you will soon find answers about your pain xXx

Phatgirl it's lovely to hear from you!..you and Karlos was at Salford when I went to one of the meetings before surgery many years ago...I'm glad you've managed to sort things out,just hope I can too.
It's wonderful this thread has brought some long termers back...I'm really thankful xxx

 

[emma-louise]

I had the h-pylori as well. It was found on andoscopy just after my bypass when I was readmitted throwing up blood. They took a sample from my stomach. I'm often in a dark place with my stomach issues that no-one else can understand. I started fainting again tonight as I've not been feeding for 8 days as were in the USA and I'm saving my feed for the cruise, I also have an infection at my tube site, agonising shoulder pain. Having been horribly bunged up I put a magic solution in my tube yesterday that turned out to be the equivalent of weapons grade plutonium. My husband had to hold me onto the loo to stop me sliding off and fainting. No one gets this! I just cant stop saying recently, when did this become normal???

Something you just said here jemima.."when did this become normal"
My problems are nothing compared to yours,but after several visits to the hospital,tests,meds,etc..it's hard to take when your GP says...it's something you might have to live with now.
Well...I've never had ANY issues with my abdomen before I had it messed with why should the doctors expect me to live with this pain,I never had it before!..and they just don't seem sympathetic at all.
It makes me worry for my future if I've got to carry on like this x

 

[Jacwat]

Phatgirl it's lovely to hear from you!..you and Karlos was at Salford when I went to one of the meetings before surgery many years ago...I'm glad you've managed to sort things out,just hope I can too.
It's wonderful this thread has brought some long termers back...I'm really thankful xxx

I would just like to say thank you to all you long termers. I am still pre op but to be honest have always had niggling thoughts that on here we are only hearing the fairytale ops, that have worked really well. I would like to hear more from people like yourselves, the reality and what possibilities lie ahead. Are these complications rare or are we just not hearing about them? I have no doubts that I am going ahead with surgery but I want to have both eyes open when I do!
Thanks
Jackie

 

[chrisa]

I do think Jawcat everybody should be aware of what can happen. If the worst should happen then you may well have to fight like some of our dear friends above and there is no magic fix as we are all finding out. I do think some people are lucky to have no problems at all. Mine are just intermittent but boy when they come on they can be bad. It is worse if I am at work I lone work long shifts and just want to come home but its not an option. I do think our eyes should be wide open to the problems that can occur. I laos find it difficult to comprehend that although our docs n surgeons in bariatric surgery are specialists thye still cannot amswer some of our questions and solve our medical issues. Why is it we are left to one side and put on the back burner. Also docs and hospital medical staff aren't always sure what to do with us after having our insides re routed. More teaching and learning required for all medical staff and us patients pre and post op. xxx

 

[Jacwat]

I do think Jawcat everybody should be aware of what can happen. If the worst should happen then you may well have to fight like some of our dear friends above and there is no magic fix as we are all finding out. I do think some people are lucky to have no problems at all. Mine are just intermittent but boy when they come on they can be bad. It is worse if I am at work I lone work long shifts and just want to come home but its not an option. I do think our eyes should be wide open to the problems that can occur. I laos find it difficult to comprehend that although our docs n surgeons in bariatric surgery are specialists thye still cannot amswer some of our questions and solve our medical issues. Why is it we are left to one side and put on the back burner. Also docs and hospital medical staff aren't always sure what to do with us after having our insides re routed. More teaching and learning required for all medical staff and us patients pre and post op. xxx

I agree Chrisa. I think that Bariatric surgery is still in its infancy really and we are not fully aware of the long term effects. This does worry me, not enough to refuse surgery as the risks of obesity are high too. I just wish we were more aware of the realities further down the line. I would much rather know what could happen and not be fooled into thinking that success is the only outcome. I really don't want to seem negative, just want to be realistic. I do think its important that we research the good, the bad and the ugly! x

 

[chrisa]

Yes I believe that too. xxx

 

[mouse57]

Hi I would just like to say that I did as much research as I could and it took me a long time to make my decision to have surgery. I watched all the tv programs,( still do) but I have yet to hear about any of the issues that are being discussed on here. If I'm honest I would not have had the surgery done if I thought I would spend so much time waiting for something to,go wrong and no matter how many times I tell myself to behave it's not going to happen I don't believe it. I'm in a constant fear I'm going to suffer for this choice. I would much rather be told the whole gorey details and not just the, clots, death, leaks but everything else. I also agree this type of surgery is fairly new but around long enough for them to have information about these thing that have gone wrong but it's like they don't take notice of the issues like they don't happen because of the surgery and they don't know how to treat the conditions when it does go wrong. If you have a heart replacement every surgeon knows how to do the op and the after care required, but I feel with this surgery they all have different ideas and it's almost like a punishment to us if things go wrong, it's our fault for having the surgery so get on with it. The after care is bad and the left hand does not know what the right is doing most of the time you only have to read the comments on here to see that. I. Do wish that more people would share their bad and good stories and share the results and outcomes.

 

[ThinnerJemima]

I have problems, possibly greater than most (not that it's a competition LOL ) but my aftercare from my surgeon and dietician has been excellent. I can (and regrettably have had to) contact my surgeon directly at any time day or night anywhere he or I am in the world. I am given immediate appointments or phone /text /email support. He came in to see me at 9pm on a Saturday night in St George's (nhs) when I text'd him after being admitted from A&E.

My issues were unexpected, I was a very low risk patient. Nothing I'd read up prepared me for this life.

 

[Yvessa]

I think I used to gloss over the bad stories. Thinking, well, if it happens it happens. Better than living like this. But of course, until you've lived like this, you've no idea. My problems are all in my head. And I am a mess in that respect. But would never have thought I could be worse off in my head than I used to be.

 

[ThinnerJemima]

Heads are horrible things. I keep thinking constantly of food. When my stomach does start to behave itself I'm going to have to learn to get back to basics.

I was mentally prepared for my surgery. But not for this.

 

[emma-louise]

I'm so glad this post had brought some long termers back,just wish they'd hang around more often
Got my bag ready for my 6 hour transfusion on weds I've even treated myself to a wordsearch!how exciting..lol
Just hope I'm not too sick afterwards..

 

[chrisa]

AWW dear 6hrs infusion that will be awful for you. Do you have to stay in after it or can you go home? I will be in my 24hr shift Wednesday so won't be home till Thursday afternoon so hope it all goes well for ya. I have had a few days of not pain but toilet issues. Need to go but have to help it out yet today I have gone myself. Another little issue that I endure regularly week in week out. Some people just wouldn't understand.

I agree with the head issues also the head is difficult to sort because there are things going on in there we just cannot describe or always get to grips with sometimes I wonder if we shared what was going through our heads, would we be sectioned lol. This thread needs to keep running it really does. There was a thread from BIG BEEFY BUILDER he is having the pain on the left side which they have said he may have a blocked bowel or it could even be kidney stones, I have left a reply but wondered if any one else had seen it looks like he may be going down the same road as us. I wouldn't mind so much but I never even got to be skinny lol still look larger than most much better than I used to but anyone meeting me for the 1st time will just think I am fat. What a nightmare it can be some days/weeks/ months each of us are different but experience similar issues.

 

[marcusbm]

I'm both a long termer and a newbie. I had my original surgery in 2007, an emergency surgery last July and a bypass last December.

The biggest problem I've had is getting past my GP. I went with problems that I had and was sent home with painkillers. Different doctors - different painkillers. I once got as far as a surgeon who said I just need to take Ibuprofen. It was only when I saw a specialist abroad (because I couldn't afford UK private prices) I was diagnosed with band erosion, severe damage to the stomach (including a leaking abscess) and Peritonitis. I had emergency surgery within 24 hours. I can only say the journey has been a roller-coaster but my own experience is that I'm finally at the part of the ride where I can relax.

I have an appointment today (in 40 mins) to check on a lump to see if it's a hernia. I personally don't think it is as it feels more like a surgical repair that's formed a lump or an adhesion. I know hernias are much less prominent when laying on your back, they're usually painful and if you palpate on them the area gets significantly warm. Usually when you press on them they're soft and you can press down although they will bounce back (like a non-pitting oedema). I personally get about half of the symptoms but I'm not convinced I'll get past my GP again.

I do with I had a surgical team/specialists I could contact for advice!

 

[chrisa]

Hope todays app went ok and you now have an answer x you sound like you have certainly been through the mill also. x

 

[kurstywursty]

great to read this thread. great that one of you were honest enough to say exactly how the forum was making you feel....hope some more of the longer term bods get and keep in touch. thank you for being here for us new folks xx

 

[emma-louise]

I'm both a long termer and a newbie. I had my original surgery in 2007, an emergency surgery last July and a bypass last December. The biggest problem I've had is getting past my GP. I went with problems that I had and was sent home with painkillers. Different doctors - different painkillers. I once got as far as a surgeon who said I just need to take Ibuprofen. It was only when I saw a specialist abroad (because I couldn't afford UK private prices) I was diagnosed with band erosion, severe damage to the stomach (including a leaking abscess) and Peritonitis. I had emergency surgery within 24 hours. I can only say the journey has been a roller-coaster but my own experience is that I'm finally at the part of the ride where I can relax. I have an appointment today (in 40 mins) to check on a lump to see if it's a hernia. I personally don't think it is as it feels more like a surgical repair that's formed a lump or an adhesion. I know hernias are much less prominent when laying on your back, they're usually painful and if you palpate on them the area gets significantly warm. Usually when you press on them they're soft and you can press down although they will bounce back (like a non-pitting oedema). I personally get about half of the symptoms but I'm not convinced I'll get past my GP again. I do with I had a surgical team/specialists I could contact for advice!

Hi..see I can't feel anything lumpy ,but like I mentioned on several occasions whatever is causing this pain feels " trapped "
And then the pain builds and builds till it hurts to breathe...and then it can just disappear on its own even without help of any pain relief.
Its really strange..

 

[CCPM]

Emma-louise I hope all went well.

I am taking lessons from your post myself. I got dispirited and eventually left, I should have stayed around, done what I advocated. At present just taken up with a small issue but will be reading and soon posting again

Take care and PM if you can/need to

M

 

[Jacwat]

Emma-louise I hope all went well.

I am taking lessons from your post myself. I got dispirited and eventually left, I should have stayed around, done what I advocated. At present just taken up with a small issue but will be reading and soon posting again

Take care and PM if you can/need to

M

Please, please, please hang around. The people who have been through this and are out of the 'honeymoon period' offer such important insight. I can only speak for myself but it is important to me as a pre op that I go into this with my eyes open and make an informed choice. I really hope that you all get through this but having surgery is such a big thing and listening to your experiences make it so real. It is easy to not contribute to the forum so you don't appear negative but we all need to hear the good, the bad and the ugly.
From a very appreciative Jackie x