3 Weeks - Things WILL get better, right???

July 16, 2001

Hi Everyone,

This has *got* to be some kind of normal post-op phase... At least that's

what I'm hoping! I have been so MAJORLY UNCOMFORTABLE throughout the last

week that if I weren't so positive this surgery was the solution to my

lifelong battle with MO, I might be regretting my decision! Here's the

skinny...

For the last 6 days, or so I have been getting this gripping abdominal pain.

Usually it's between my belly button and my ribcage, inside and all the

way across my belly and sometimes right through to my back. Sometimes it

feels like it is squeezing my stomach, like a pair of hands, wringing and

choking. Sometimes it stays across the middle of the belly, across the

bellybutton area.

No matter what I do, I cannot get comfortable. Can't sit upright, or lean

back or to the side. I've tried beanbags and pillows. Even sitting in

front of the computer is an effort I'm not able to make. Most of the time I

just go to bed and lay down, doubled over just waiting, minute by minute,

for it to pass.

And it does pass. There are times when the pain goes away and I feel great.

I can get out and walk with my kids, function around the house, whatever!

And then there's the nausea! I have had violent, wretching vomiting on a

few occasions over the last 6 days. Not much comes up, but it usually

happens on an empty stomach or when I first try to start eating and I take

my vitamins.

My second week, post-op, I had none of this pain. I was eating a WIDE

variety of proteins and was able to tolerate everything quite well, although

quantities were notably less than pre-op and there was a long lasting sense

of fullness. Occasionally I would get some lower abdominal cramping but

that usually would send me to the bathroom where a bm would soon follow.

At first, I was thinking maybe I was developing some kind of food

intolerance so I tried eliminating things, one at a time; milk/dairy,

aspartame, chicken. No changes in the pain.

Then I thought it was severe gas. I went out and got both Beano and

Phazyme. I took the Phazyme right away but it didn't seem to do anything.

I've been taking 1 or 2 Beano tablets everytime I eat. I still have very

painful episodes, but I haven't been able to tell if they are less in

duration or not.

I don't have my gallbladder though this pain reminds me a little of when I

had gallstones except that this time the pain is more centered instead of in

the right upper quadrant.

I seem to be pooping regularly and there doesn't appear to be traces of

blood. I don't think I've been constipated as the BMs are loose to watery.

BM's seem to bring relief after about 30 minutes which lasts for awhile

(maybe 2 hours). I don't have a fever, though once yesterday it went up to

99.4. I am still forcing myself to keep eating and supplementing with

protein shakes/drinks as best as I can and have been averaging about 80g per

day (nutritionist at Sinai recommended 80-100g per day).

I don't think I have any of the major warning signs that would warrant a

call to Dr Pomp and I do have my first followup with him on Tues 7/24

(probably wouldn't get in touch with him until then anyway, knowing Mt

Sinai). I cannot *imagine* going back to work in this shape.

Don't most post-ops hit a low point at 3-4 weeks out? I remember last week

SueTee posted she was feeling nauseous and miserable (her surgery was 1 week

before mine) and one of the last posts I did was trying to offer her

suggestions on what to do to try to feel better (eat more protein...) HAH!!

Sorry Sue! I'm right here with you, girlfriend! How are you feeling, by

the way, if you're reading this?

I just got my first post-op period on Friday so maybe it's my hormones all

over the map? Though I never had any noticable pre-menstrual symptoms as a

pre-op...

I'm REALLY hoping this is a short-term thing. It will pass, right? Any

suggestions from you seasoned post-ops who went through this miserable

phase? I can sure use some hope right now!

Hanging in there,

Terri Hassiak

BMI 61.8

http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=H980366398

Appealed " Out-of-Network " Ins. Denial - AND WON!!!

Laparoscopic BPD/DS with Dr. Pomp on 6/25/01

email(no spaces): bunsofluff @ hotmail.com

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July 16, 2001