Complication: Organs Not Found
When: During surgery
Result: Went Open Instead of Lap
Explaination: When my surgeon started things Lap, he couldn't find my stomach or gall bladder, so he had to open me after he found them to reposition them.
Ways to prevent this: None really. Just be sure that you ask if things are in order in that area. ALSO BE PREPARED FOR ANYTHING IF YOU ARE QUOTED LAP!
Complication: High Fevers
When: Day 1 and 2 Post Op
Result: NG Tube stayed in for two days after surgery and an extra Leak Test performed.
Explaination: No one knew where the fevers were coming from, so they did a leak test on me at 2 days post. Mysteriously at 2 days post when they removed my NG Tube, the fever disappeared.
Ways to prevent this: I'm sure it was the lack of walking I did because they wouldn't get me out of bed that day after surgery, so keep on them about getting you out of bed. You have the control over this!!
Complication: Wound Abcess and Infection
When: almost 3 weeks Post Op
Result: Open wound on the incisional line for 5 months.
Explaination: At 2 1/2 weeks post, I was starting to feel pressure in my incisional area, and I developed a red spot. When my primary saw me at almost 3 weeks post, he saw this red spot look like a huge pimple and just as he touched it, he wore the contents of this. I would subsequently have two more after this first time, resulting in three spots that were open at one point. It would subsequently heal in January of 2003.
Ways to Prevent this: Be sure to keep the incisional area clean just after surgery. Also, if it's during the Summer time, be sure to keep the area dry from sweat, as this can also cause an infection.
Complication: Burning Stomach, Nausea, Vomitting, sharp right side pain
When: 6 1/2 months post
Result: None yet
Explaination: I started a burning sensation in my stomach just after I would eat a bowl of Chili, which was my staple in my diet. I would also after my 6 month follow up visit with my surgeon start burning on everything including water just after I drank it. I would also just after I ate throw up most of my meals. I would end up getting scoped and had nothing show up, and am still waiting for more test to be performed, as it may be a gall bladder problem.
Ways to Prevent it: Keep up with your post op diet. Do not go off of it, and make sure that with any slight feeling of something wrong, you're on your phone with your surgeon's office.
Complication: Burning Stomach, Nausea, Vomitting, sharp right side pain
When: 6 1/2 months post
Result: Diagnosed with Gall Stones.
Update: I had went to see my primary for a physical for my license when I started telling him I felt like hell. After a little bit of me being treated like The Pillsbury Doughgirl, screaming out Yo when I was poked just to the right of my Gastric Bypass incision, he ordered a gall bladder ultrasound, said he thought it was Gall Stones, and that I probably have Gall Bladder Disease. I took this test this past Monday (July 14, 2003) and I just got my results this afternoon personally from my primary, with him congratulating me for having gall stones.
Course Of Action: Seeing my WLS Surgeon, Dr Williams, on July 30th for a surgical remedy. I guess the stones are too bad for any other course of treatment.
Ways to Prevent it: Find out when you are alert if they kept your gall bladder after your WLS. IF THEY DID, GET YOURSELF A PRESCRIPTION OF ACTIGALL. TAKE IT FOR THE 3 OR 6 MONTH COURSE. NO EXCEPTIONS! 30% of WLS patients will lose their gall bladders, and I'm sure out of that 30%, at least one out of that ten... maybe more then that... don't have to have a needless surgery after the fact. SO ASK FOR IT AND DON'T BE AFRAID TO TAKE IT!!
Complication: Burning Stomach, Nausea, Vomitting, sharp right side pain
When: 6 1/2 months post
Result: Diagnosed with Gall Stones.
Update: I was schedlued for September 25, 2003, because of things going on in my life that I needed that date. However, with my problems with insurance, I couldn't have my surgery that day.
Course Of Action: I went to the ER on this date and was admitted. I was checked in areas that would be affected by the gallbladder, and it was removed on October 9, 2003.
Ways to Prevent it: Find out when you are alert if they kept your gall bladder after your WLS. IF THEY DID, GET YOURSELF A PRESCRIPTION OF ACTIGALL. TAKE IT FOR THE 3 OR 6 MONTH COURSE. NO EXCEPTIONS! 30% of WLS patients will lose their gall bladders, and I'm sure out of that 30%, at least one out of that ten... maybe more then that... don't have to have a needless surgery after the fact. SO ASK FOR IT AND DON'T BE AFRAID TO TAKE IT!!
Also, If you can't handle things, be sure to go to the ER right away. You may be able to be admitted because of the pain itself.