[Dr. Mel]

Ok...here is the long winded update. I go in for my 2:00 RNY 6 month follow up as well as follow up on gall bladder removal.

I officially have lost 86 lbs from my highest and 78 lbs since surgery. Labs good.
My normal BP is 90/60 and pulse rate 60's to 70's. I was running 120's to 130's over 80's with resting pulse in 90's.

No further pain since in hospital on Monday. We reviewed everything from gall bladder removal until today. He said unless I was hurting , he probably would not find anything. I am a tad tender and distended but doing MUCH better.

If pain comes up again I will have to go back and have exploratory lap. We are thinking that perhaps this was a combination of ulcer sleepy colon and constipation. I am now on Nexium and Carafate. I am also on stage 2 diet for a week to make sure bowel rests. I go back in Sept. For endoscopy & colonoscopy unless more problems.

Thank you all for prayer and suppoert. You all have become a part of my new life and I'm ggrateful for each of you. For newbies {which I still think I am} utilize this forum. I won't lie...the worse case scenarios were creeping into my thoughts.

Oh, as far as that other patient...they were 9 days out and had a leak. Took over 6 hours to complete. To best of knowledge they're ok now {I overheard nurses talk}. I was praying for them too.

What I hope for now is continued passing of gas and bowel movements. I also hope I can add back my protein drinks. I will take it easy for next few days. I also plan to start new job on Tuesday. My oldest turns 18 tomorrow and my baby turned 12 last week {who also got her gift from mother nature for 1st time when I was in hospital}. Life is good and I ask for continued prayer. Thanks all...

Much sincere love and heart felt hugs...
Mel

[pretty woman]

Hey Mel,
Glad to hear things settled down for you. Keep sipping the water- easy in, easy out..Good luck with working bowels... so important. I hear Miralax is a "goodie" so it sounds like you are on the right track.
Best of luck.

[judst]

Mel I am so glad you are doing so much better and that you will not be needing the exploratory surgery. I had some problems going to the bathroom also when I had my gallbladder out a few months ago. Do you remember the "Backed Up?" billboard sign I posted about after sitting in traffic? Even in the pain I was experiencing I had to laugh at God's sense of humor! He does have a reason for everything and I'm glad that other person who needed the surgery got theirs and you didn't!

[dixieladybug]

Glad to hear things are looking better for you. Hang in there maybe things will level out for you soon.

[Dr. Mel]

Thanks all. Finally back home in the "Grove". My surgeon is 4 1/2 hours away. I will return to him, I have confidence in him. While I was there, one of my former patients came in with a parent (who is looking at bypass). The child came up and hugged me for about a minute. What a blessing!

Anyway, I was a tad worried when I got home because I was having a bloated feeling...that is how this whole mess started. I have worked at it and able to pass some gas (sorry if TMI) and feeling better. I am also having a protein shake.

Again, thanks for all the warm wishes!

[NewMeNow2011]

I am not sure if this will help at all but I had my gallbladder removed last May and ended up having horrible pains later on, pains so bad that I had to call the surgeon and I was even throwing up. Turns out, in the end, I had ulcers and I think the pain medications I was put on for the gallbladder surgery irritated them (or perhaps now even the straight bile into my belly mixed with my untreated GERD). Months of Carafate and Prilosec helped me out a ton! I feel 100% better. Your occurrence really reminds me of what happened to me. I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers!