[mommytoj&k]

I have been having pain high in the middle just below my breastbone. A week ago this past Sunday I was in so much pain that I was in tears. It scared me because up until this point I had not had any pain to speak of, had never even taken a pain pill. My 6 weeks checkup was the next day so I waited until then to talk to my doctor. He told me that at 6 weeks I should not be having any pain and then had me do a CT scan immediately. That was negative. I am scheduled to take an EGD this coming Monday to see if I might have an ulcer.

In the meantime my doctor put me on Nexium and gave me some pain pills. I was good for the next few days just taking the Nexium until this past Tuesday night when the pain came back again. I have been on the pain meds for the past couple of days and they seem to be helping. I have the luxury of working from home when I need to so I have been here for the past two days. It has been a roller coaster. I can definitely tell when the pain pills are wearing off.

Anybody else gone through anything similar?

I know I cannot take any of this back now (the surgery), but I am really wondering if I should have had this done. This is so hard. When I think about what I have yet to go through (the hair loss), I wonder if it is really worth it. I went to my parents house a couple of weeks ago and my Dad asked me how I was doing and then asked if "it" was working. He cannot see any difference. Actually, no one has said anything to me about losing any weight. That is discouraging.

Sorry for the vent. I have been holding that in for a long time.

[DeMarie]

I don't know what the pain could be, so sending a prayer to you there. But about wondering if you did the right thing...I think in the beginning we all wonder, especially when it's still so difficult, and so new. Add to that a possible problem...you have every right to question yourself. I think in the beginnng we all do. But honestly, after about 8 weeks, it all seems to fall in place. And as for no one noticing, same here...My husband keeps swearing he can see a big difference, my mother too, but people who I didn't tell - not one person has said "Dee, are you loosing weight??" No offense, but I think we start out so heavy AND do our best to hide behind clothes and coats that the first 40 or 50...not really a big difference yet. And you have to guess that some people are not sure so think better of saying anything in case you didn't. I think if you ask post ops who are more than 3 or 4 months out - thay will all say "Yes, best thing I ever did" but anyone under 2 - 3 months, maybe not. Let us know what happens, sending a prayer your way, and just know that we are all here for you!

[Queenofthenile]

I am not sure but if the pain is on the right hand side just below the breastbone, theliver and gallbladder are located on that side. I had gallstones which led to my gallbladder being removed. The pain was a severe, disabling pain that stayed for hours and I would have to stay balled up until it released. I'm sorry you're feeling so much pain. I have not had surgery yet so I do not know the aspects as far as how horrible it is but the ladies on here often say that the being was always the worst and they wished they didn't do it but then things got better as the journey progressed. (((HUGS)))

[kimtindall]

I am sorry that you are going through this, just hold on for a bit longer and let them determine what the problem is. Iknow that is easier said than done.
you are not going to be able to see the difference in yourself any time soon, just remember that pics never lie...make sure that you are taking them frequently. It took me about 6 months to see myself differently.

[Trulykath]

not sure...but I've had gas pains so killer, I almost had DDH take me to the ER.....

[fr1endly2]

I AM THINING A POSSIBLITY of gas....
when i get pains inside that are so unbearable
i tend to use some chewable gas x and find
relief comes perhaps try that but always keep ur
surgeons informed!
GAS is painful
and i never had this until post op!
hugs

[MsVickie]

Actually if im correct the place you state your having the pains is where your original stomach sit. Right below the breast bone in the middle is where the acutal stomach is. Now when they do this surgery...... I have no idea where anything is placed afterwards. I would think your new tummy is there. You may just be inflammed im not sure. Doc will be around soon and can help you with this more than me.

Honey I had some complications myself. Its very hard when you first have this done to see the reality of it. People will start noticing soon enough. You take care of you right now and I do hope you get to feeling better.

Somthing I just thought of........Are you eating anything with a peeling or membrane on it? They easily get accross the stoma and block it causing pain. I experinced this once with a very tiny tomato peel.

[lazell]

Awww sweetheart,it is so difficult in the beginning it does get better. It took 50lbs before anyone noticed mine. I just had pain where yous is and i did have an ulcer. You are new enough it could be just something normal.Hang in there it does get better.When you get under 200 and keep going you'll be happier and happier.Use this site to sound off and give you strenth.we are all here for you!

[qt82699]

sorry to hear you are going thru this, hope they figure out what is wrong for you. in the end you will be happy you had this done, you will be so much more healthy and ppl will start to notice, i promise...good luck to you

[DocSanae]

The most probable cause is acid reflux. If the pain radiates to the back, gall stones are also likely, but since you say you had a CT done and that came up negative, then gall stones (and kidney stones too, depending on at which level the CT was done) can be ruled out.

Your stomach is still located where it's supposed to be. Remember, the pouch is only stapled off from the rest of the stomach, not cut off. The stomach and pouch are still connected, separated only by the staple lines. You can develop an ulcer in the stapled off portion of the stomach, and unfortunately, that area can't be scoped, so such a diagnosis can't be confirmed. However, in that case, medication like H2 blockers and PPIs should work.

Excess gas in the transverse portion of your colon (which runs right behind your stomach, and is just below your liver) could radiate the pain to where you are experiencing too.

In any case, you are scheduled for a scope, and your surgeon is exploring every possibility, I'm sure, so relax, and let your surgeon do his job.

As for second thoughts about having had the surgery, it is very common early out. One of the reasons you do not get compliments for losing your weight so far, is that what people see are often *corrected* by the brain, and so, the image they see is not always the true you, but a projection of what they think you look like, especially with those whom you see often. The more frequently they see you, the less they will see the change, as the weight melting on a daily level is not dramatic--I mean, you don't drop two clothes sizes overnight. For instance, do you notice your parents aging daily? Probably not. Only when you take a look at photos from a few years back will you notice the changes.
Also, if you are still wearing most of the clothes you wore pre op (which will be likely, because most people feel it a waste to spend money on clothes that you can wear for only a short time), then it will be harder to notice the loss. Go shopping for something, just a T shirt or two, and inexpensive skirt, jeans, pants, only two or three items, that fit you now and see what people say. I am sure you will get lots of compliments.
Last, as DeMarie said, I do believe, that with friends and coworkers, the politer they are, they may refrain from making any comments, because they are not sure if you will appreciated it, especially if you have not told them that you had surgery.

Give yourself time. Your body is still healing inside, too, and readjusting its functions at this point. This is a life time investment, and as is with long term financial investments, the interests on a daily basis are low, but after a year or two, the differnece gets enormous.

((((((HUGS))))) Hang in there, I hope you feel better soon.