Momentarily Down...But Definitely NOT Out!!!
Well, this week has been a bit of a roller coaster...the first real "complication" I have experienced since my surgery last September 22nd. Last weekend I began to experience severe pains in my abdomen when I was eating and afterwards would be literally doubled over in pain. I thought it was the routine "gas" issue that I have experienced since surgery and so went crazy taking GasX in an effort to find some relief....but to no avail!
To make a long story short, Wednesday afternoon I ended up in the emergency room at Humber Regional Hospital (where bypass surgeries are performed her in Toronto) and after a battery of tests and x-rays, the bariatric surgeon decided that the best thing was to perform a scope of my pouch and upper bowel the following day. To my relief, that night, the x-rays indicated that there was no obstruction of the bowel or hernia, which are common after surgery. Although I was still in a fair amount of pain, especially when eating anything, I was so glad that things weren't as serious as I had feared.
The next day I went back into the hospital and under general anesthetic, the Surgeon scoped out my pouch and intestine. The good news was that there were no leaks or compromising of the pouch and he confirmed there were no ulcers or hernia issues. The inside lining of my pouch near the bottom where the food enters the intestine, however, had become irritated though, which was causing all the pain I was experiencing when food or liquids were trying to pas through. He called it gastritis, which is basically an inflammation of the lining of the stomach or pouch. The best news of this is that it is easily treated. So, off I went from the hospital after my procedure with a prescription for a special ant acid (which happens to cost an arm and a leg!!!!!), which will in time coat and protect the lining of my pouch. This will help to soothe the irritation as well so that I don't experience so much discomfort while eating.
For now, I am back eating very light and liquidy foods like soup broth and clear fluids. These seem to be less irritating on my little tummy at the moment. Slowly over time, the surgeon encouraged me to start eating more and more solids as I am able to tolerate them.
I can't tell you how scared I was over the past days thinking that despite my best efforts over the past year, I had somehow damaged my pouch. Repairing problems after bypass surgery is no easy feat and can often lead to other more invasive surgeries and longer recovery periods and also further complications. So far, I have been so very blessed that my surgery was so successful and that I have been able to come so far in just a year.
So that was my little escapade for this week....I still have absolutely no regrets for having had the surgery a year ago...and despite this little hiccup, I am just as determined today as ever to continue on full force along this incredible journey in my life....
Well, this week has been a bit of a roller coaster...the first real "complication" I have experienced since my surgery last September 22nd. Last weekend I began to experience severe pains in my abdomen when I was eating and afterwards would be literally doubled over in pain. I thought it was the routine "gas" issue that I have experienced since surgery and so went crazy taking GasX in an effort to find some relief....but to no avail!
To make a long story short, Wednesday afternoon I ended up in the emergency room at Humber Regional Hospital (where bypass surgeries are performed her in Toronto) and after a battery of tests and x-rays, the bariatric surgeon decided that the best thing was to perform a scope of my pouch and upper bowel the following day. To my relief, that night, the x-rays indicated that there was no obstruction of the bowel or hernia, which are common after surgery. Although I was still in a fair amount of pain, especially when eating anything, I was so glad that things weren't as serious as I had feared.
The next day I went back into the hospital and under general anesthetic, the Surgeon scoped out my pouch and intestine. The good news was that there were no leaks or compromising of the pouch and he confirmed there were no ulcers or hernia issues. The inside lining of my pouch near the bottom where the food enters the intestine, however, had become irritated though, which was causing all the pain I was experiencing when food or liquids were trying to pas through. He called it gastritis, which is basically an inflammation of the lining of the stomach or pouch. The best news of this is that it is easily treated. So, off I went from the hospital after my procedure with a prescription for a special ant acid (which happens to cost an arm and a leg!!!!!), which will in time coat and protect the lining of my pouch. This will help to soothe the irritation as well so that I don't experience so much discomfort while eating.
For now, I am back eating very light and liquidy foods like soup broth and clear fluids. These seem to be less irritating on my little tummy at the moment. Slowly over time, the surgeon encouraged me to start eating more and more solids as I am able to tolerate them.
I can't tell you how scared I was over the past days thinking that despite my best efforts over the past year, I had somehow damaged my pouch. Repairing problems after bypass surgery is no easy feat and can often lead to other more invasive surgeries and longer recovery periods and also further complications. So far, I have been so very blessed that my surgery was so successful and that I have been able to come so far in just a year.
So that was my little escapade for this week....I still have absolutely no regrets for having had the surgery a year ago...and despite this little hiccup, I am just as determined today as ever to continue on full force along this incredible journey in my life....
Ally, Glad you are OK. WHich Surgeon did you see at Humber. There are only a few of them?? Take it easy and I will be praying for you..
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