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Feel as though I made a HUGE Mistake having WLS

BamaBaby

Member
Hi, it didn't go well at all. My left lung collapsed, kidneys didn't work after surgery, had tachacardia. probably do to the lung thing. Found out them putting a chest tube in, was the worst pain I have ever had in my LIFE. I am so black and blue, across my belly and back and top of my hands and in the bend of my elbows. Oh, in 6 days the had to restart my IV 12 times. They finally put it in the meaty part under my thumb. That place seemed to stay open. I really think I made the worse decision of my life. I'm tired of the diet. I walk but not as much as I'd like. I have to get checked out my a lung dr. to make sure there is no more Blebs in my lung that is going to blow. Someone please tell me it will get better. EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO LIE.
 
You just had some bad breaks. One of the women in my support group had her spleen nicked before surgery was barely started - yet had surgery again to get her sleeve done! Only look forward not back.
 
Hi Bama, I am so sorry you have had a rough time, it sounds like you have been put through the ringer and hung out to dry. I can see why you feel the way you do but when I got out of the hospital and was recovering at home I had the worst sense of remorse I had ever had I thought to myself "What heck did I do to myself!!!:(" and I didn't have any of the complications you have had to endure, you are truely an inspiration. The feelings of remorse and regret are perfectly normal and many but not all of us feel it, so yes things will get better, just focus on getting you protien and fluids in and making it to your follow up appointments. My thoughts and prayers are with you for a speedy recovery. :cool: Tom
 
Hi, it didn't go well at all. My left lung collapsed, kidneys didn't work after surgery, had tachacardia. probably do to the lung thing. Found out them putting a chest tube in, was the worst pain I have ever had in my LIFE. I am so black and blue, across my belly and back and top of my hands and in the bend of my elbows. Oh, in 6 days the had to restart my IV 12 times. They finally put it in the meaty part under my thumb. That place seemed to stay open. I really think I made the worse decision of my life. I'm tired of the diet. I walk but not as much as I'd like. I have to get checked out my a lung dr. to make sure there is no more Blebs in my lung that is going to blow. Someone please tell me it will get better. EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO LIE.

BamaBaby,

I'm so sorry you're having to endure all this. All these things that have happened to you are complications that could have happened with any surgery, not just weight loss surgery. Doesn't make it any easier to take, I know.

I won't EVER lie to you. This will get better!

As each issue resolves, you will feel better and better. As each issue resolves, you will feel stronger, more secure, more capable. As each issue resolves, as each pound continues to drop away, forever gone, you will feel better and be able to realize what a wonderful gift you have given yourself and your loved ones.

As the bruises fade, allow your memories of these awful, horrible things to fade with them.

I promise not to make you the poster child for some bad things that can happen in a surgery but usually don't.

This will get better!

Please check in again tomorrow and let us continue to encourage and otherwise support you.

Remember, if you want to chat, there might be someone in the Chat Room between 8:00 and 8:30 pm Central Time.

Goodnight, BamaBaby. I hope you have gentle, peaceful dreams.
 
Bama-WOW, that's a heck of a way to start your journey. From the sounds of things it looks like everything is under control. Make sure to keep your appointment with the lung specialist. Unfortunately, these things happen on rare occasion. I am truly sorry you have to go through all of this. It sounds like the worst is over though. Please let us know how things are going for you.
 
bamababy,
i am sorry to read that you had so much trouble with your wls surgery. please dont ever regret you had it. the black and blue will disappear
soon. there are so many advantages to this surgery. maybe you are in a little post op depression. just keep walking and pushing yourself
to do a little better each day. you will not regret this surgery after 6 months. hopefully you wll be completely healed by then from the surgery.
keep in there and do quit trying. you are too young and have a long life ahead of you
 
Dear Bamababy--I am sooo sorry to hear of everything you have been through!!! I had troubles with pneumonia and still fighting an allergic reaction, however I feel so weak for complaining about it. Are you still hospitalized?? I am praying for you to regain your strength both physically and mentally to come back and celebrate in this lifestyle change. I keep telling myself it's been a struggle but it just has to pay off in the end with good health!!! On the bright side I am off all oral meds and my sugar is coming down. I am 3 weeks out and I am feeling stronger every day, it will take some time but you will be feeling better soon. Allow your body to heal, considering all the trauma you have been through.

Do you best to rest and follow your wls diet, remember popsicles are our best friends--they keep you hydrated!! Again you are in my thoughts and prayers!! Take care Terri
 
Bamababy,

So sorry you encountered complications such as you did. Your black and blue spots will all disappear with time. Please remember that you will start to feel better and you will be successful in obtaining a new healthy YOU. This could have happened with any surgery you might have had as previously stated. I am sorry it happened to you. Not lying, things will get better as each day passes. Keep all your post op appts and although the diet is boring it is worth it. You can vent here any time you want to. Joy
 
Thank you everyone, It is morning and things do look a little better today so far. Thanks for your support and letting me vent. CH (cyber hugs) to all of you!!!!!!!!!
 
Bamababy You have been through the mill and then some, I am so sorry to hear this. You must have had the lung bleb and not known it! Sound horrible!! You are now on the otherside of that and have the surgery and are going to to have a healthier life, the diet you said you are already sick of, but just day to day and you will be eating mushy foods soon and then regular foods without sugar and chew chew chew and you will be fine. Take it easy but walk, be good to yourself, and know you can come here for support when you want to throw the protein drink against the wall! When you are healed, I would suggest getting your FULL operative note including the anesthesia chart and notes, and have someone in the know go over them to make sure the problems you had were not preventable. What did your surgeon say happened and when did your lung go down, during surgery or post op? I totally agree with you the pain of having a chest tube put in is HORRENDOUS and I have never understood why they cannot do it under conscious sedation which means you are under like for colonscopy or eosphogoscopy so you feel nothing. I think the think it is momentary pain but years ago people had Sigmoidoscopies without any anesthesia and most of us said it was barbaric and now they are not done and colonsocopy is done with Conscious sedation.
Chin up and do check in with this forum each day to let us know how you are doing. I hope you have supports at home as well!!!
 
Bamababy

I am so sorry you have gone through all of that, I pray the worst is over for you! I am 2.5 weeks out of surgery and am still not undoubtful, this site has helped me alot though. I know it does get better!!!(and I am not lying)
Julie(jlcrimm)
 
Bamababy, OMG, I am so sorry. I was thinking of you and worried not to see a post-op post. I'm glad you're okay, just not as okay as I know you wish you were. You will get better. You already have, right? Just do what they say.

Take good care,
pen
 
Omg, you poor thing. I am 5 weeks out, and it does get much better. Dont have to lie. The first weeks are hard. I got so sick of the sweet protein drinks, chicken broth made with buillion cubes were the best! Dont be too hard on yourself to get in all the protein and fluids just yet, its too hard. It will come. At 5 weeks I get in about 30-40 grams of protein and about the same in fluids. I know I have to do better but that is better than last week, its coming along. For me, popsicles and jello helped alot those early weeks. I am finally understanding more each day why everyone says this is a long process, this learning to eat differently. I have 50+ years of poor eating habits, that is not going to change in a couple of weeks. On a lighter note, I went out to dinner last night with an old high school friend. (yes, I went out!) I ordered off the kids menu and ate way less than a quarter of it. She had a dinner with turkey, potatos, bread, veggies, and ate it all. I was amazed at how much she consumed! The thing is, I would have consumed that easily and more, before surgery. I am seeing now how much I really did eat and how much of that was so mindless. Anyhow I digress, you will get better each day. And I promise at 4-5 weeks out you will be a happy camper!
 
Barnababy You there and if so how are you? We all worry about you and others not doing so well, so would love to hear from you!!
 
BamaBaby How are you doing? You were regretful and now ??? I had read your post op post about lung collapse and said, hmm that won't happen to me, BUT it did, collapse of lung but not bad enough to have a chest tube, NOT GOING THERE!! I feel your pain, it is barbaric and the only way it would be done to me and probably to you now is under conscious sedation like when you have a colonscopy or esophogoscopy. You feel nothing. AND they usually send up a resident who knows nothing with the experienced one instructinig, NO not on me.
HOPE you are turned around now and feeling chipper, not sorry you had the surgery. I got home and got sick and really thought I had made a really bad decision but now that I feel better I am glad i did it. Let us know please.
 
CH to you

Bamababy wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you and that I am sending you c.h. (cyber hugs). Sometimes we run into a mountain but we can always make it to the top with a little help from our friends. Remember "The Little Engine Who Could" ? I think I can, I think I can, I think I can!!!!!!!! This is a great place for support and all you have to do is reach out.
 
Howdy, I'm doing sooooo much better. Actually feeling Great !!!! redecorating our spare bedroom. THANK ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!!!!!!!! I'll try to pay it forward to help others. Thanks Again
 
Glad to hear it, phew, that was scary! What are you eating now(I am obscessed with what others can eat) LOL
 
Bama Baby,

So glad to hear you are feeling so much better. Your wt loss is going great too. Have fun redecorating!
 
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