Biggest mistake of my life

I think it's time to get some support from a psychologist. You're still in such early days and whilst nausea and reflux can be debilitating,there is still heaps to try. How often are you seeing your surgeon? I suggest weekly if you're struggling as much as you are. A psych can help you and work with your surgeon to ensure you're getting good care. They aren't just there to talk to about being miserable. Your surgeons office should be able to recommend someone. Did you discuss some of my suggestions I put on one of your other threads? What did he say? There is still plenty of hope left and some of what you're dealing with is completely normal such as the stomach gurgling. I haven't met a wls patient whose tummy doesn't do that! I know I sound harsh but you can't wake up and find your stomach back though if you keep eating as much as you can, at about twelve months you will find you can eat a lot more and eventually put on the weight again just fine. That should be incentive considering how you're feeling to stay very nourished. It is good you post though as people need to see those who are honest about the regret. I think there are more out there than we realise. I'm not going to say suck it up, things could be a whole lot worse as that isn't helpful, but I do worry you are plunging into a depression that is unnecessary as you still have so many options available to you. I know it's hard pushing to be heard sometimes but you owe it to yourself to keep seeking the help you need. I want to help but fear nothing I say is useful as you regret this so deeply. It's certainly an eye opener for me though that I have huge regrets but hating my decision and wanting to go back to my miserable fat life isn't one of them, despite almost dying, despite a huge bag of drugs I take daily, despite constant hospital admissions for now almost two years and despite being unable to eat anything potentially for the rest of my life. I find myself wondering what advice I can give you to get you through? Hmmm I will try to think some more about what gets me thru. I have very dark days but not every day so there must be an answer in there somewhere! I just hope you are in constant contact with your medical team and are trying everything possible. I didn't feel really miserable til about month 10 as that was when I truly felt everything had been tried. As long as there was still things to try I never gave up. I suggest you try to focus on this too and plan this weeks actions of what you're going to do.

I so want to get off this journey i am not enjoying any of it and i want me old life back. Does anyone else feel like this? Every day there is something wrong with me that i have to contend with, i never feel healthy or happy anymore. How long does it take to be your normal self again. If i could only fix my mistake of having the sleeve.....

Glad to hear you are doing better now Jimbob. I've been having complications over 18months and total out of pocket and lost pay is $70k my health fund has paid over $300k. Life sucks big time when this surgery goes wrong. I don't think ill ever get off the feeding tube the way I'm going. Every day is a miserable battle to keep going so I feel terribly for others that suffer with this like I have. Feel free to pm if you want to chat anytime. THe lovely Veronica is doing better but still suffering too. It's heart breaking.

Changedmind..get them to do a gastric emptying study to check for motility issues. If there are, they don't show up on scans or during gastroscopy.

The stretch is pretty much same for sleeve or bypass. It's not going to return to being pre op though. 1/2 cup is pretty good at ten weeks. Keep going as best you can.you are doing well.

What anti nausea meds have you tried? Is it constant or just when you eat?

veronica simcoe wrote:

So sorry to hear you are having problems and I hope that they can give you something soon to help you feel better, my surgery was 12 weeks ago and I have more pain now than I did the day of surgery with still a leak that has yet to be fixed and I also don't see much of a future for myself at this stage although I know eventually it will be fixed, ive had to have 12 weeks off work with no pay or sick leave and financially we are in a big mess with me not expecting something like this to happen, but it does happen and unfortunately it happened to me.  Im sure things will get better for both of us and wish you all the best

I had my Gastric sleeve op on 28th Jan  & after being released after a few days I had the most unbelievable pain . I was rushed back in & was found to have a leak . I have been through unbelievable pain & depression but I am coming good now after being released from dailiy Nurse care at home after hospital a couple of weeks ago . Started at 109kg & now am 87kg .Starting to get some strength back . I never expected the leak & so far Ive spent over $10,000 .I also had an infection caused by leak and it is completely resistant to antibiotics . No pay or sick leave as its my own business & my wife has had to run business  & look after home & take kid to school . Its so tough but you will get there .

Just a  quick update, i had my scope which went well however my surgeon doesnt think there is anything which should be still causing the nausea.  He has now revised my reflux and nausea meds and so far the nausea has settled down.  for everyones interest  he put me on Buscopan.  My stomach is still a little swollen at 10 weeks post op so still only eating about 1/2  cup at each meal

Can anyone tell me what a fundus pouch is,  he told me its up the top of my stomach therefore dont have the 'banana shape'

i guess this down track will allow me a little stretch. 
XXX

  Hi Vikki,
I just wonder whether the stretch is more for the bypass rather than the sleeve??
I can't seem to find anything on here we people have had a stretch particularly to help get rid of the nausea.
Any comments??

Hey changed mind, they've been a few ppl here who had the stretch, with really good results, all the best to you for tomorrow.

Thanks wyld for your kind words. Have been advised to be there by 9am tomorrow for my gastroscopy and so very NERVOUS.  Again today woke up so nauseated that i am hoping the stretch tomorrow  is going to make me feel better - i just dont think emotionally i can cope if it doesnt.

Hey Changed Mind,

I am so sorry to hear that things arent going well, and I wish you all the best and hope you get sorted next week with the gastroscope   you will be in my thoughts and prayers.

  wyld

Hey Suzy, I'm really sorry to hear that you've been told that you bring the mood down. As far as I'm concerned you bring in a much needed dose of reality. It is easy to only read the good stories and tell yourself that is what my sleeve will be like!. But sometimes things go wrong and I really appreciate you taking the time to tell us what has happened to you, and if we can support you in anyway then I feel that is why we are all here to support everyone. 
Your honest and heartfelt advice to other people who are suffering with difficulties I'm sure are appreciated very much. I don't often comment to you as I feel that I can't contribute much but I wanted you to know that I really want you to be here and if I can ever offer you any help I would be honoured to do anything I can.

i wish i had the text book sleeve but i dont and i am sure there are lots of people who also dont , so sometimes a bit of gloom makes you realise you dont have to do this alone....

You're not a sooky baby, this sucks and is horrible. It's such a tough time even without any issues, so add nausea and reflux in and it's no wonder you feel the way you do! Ok weds isn't too far away....it will hopefully bring you the answers you need. I'll be watching!! Hang in there just a little while longer and vent on here as much as you need til then.

And Thank you for such sweet words. Sometimes I don't feel I have anything of value to offer with not being a typical case plus I've been told a couple of times I bring the mood down, so I am very grateful for your words. I really do just want to help anyone else out there suffering. 

Xxx

Hi Suzy,
with everything you have gone through i feel like such a sooky baby, although i only know you from this site you really are a BEAUTIFUL WOMAN and your caring nature brings tears to my eyes....i am booked in for next wednesday morning and totally hoping this fixes the issues i am having
XXX

The narrowing makes sense and that is usually the reason for a stretch. They will do the stretch when they do the gastroscopy. Sometimes you need more than one but aside being back on fluids rest of that day, the relief is usually instant. Don't give up yet because this is all very normal so far, the only abnormal thing is how long it is taking to sort it out which I completely understand is taking its toll and therefore making you feel like this is the worst thing ever. I will keep everything crossed for you. I do understand how dreadful it is to suffer terrible reflux and nausea every day and how much it can get you down. THIS really can be easily fixed tho and that's my frustration here. When is the procedure? It's nothing to worry about. I've had 20 of these and they are just a pain in that you lose a few hours of your day but worst part is just the cannula going in. Please keep me posted. I have been watching for an update and wondering how you are getting on.

Good luck
Xx

  I still feel today this is still the biggest mistake of my life.  9 weeks post op still have reflux and nausea so bad that even with my medication it doesn't do anything (so far had 3 different meds for reflux and 2 for nausea). Every morning I know before I open my eyes I am going to be so ill.  My surgeon has now booked me in for a gastroscope, he thinks there could be narrowing.  OMG I may have been overweight but I never had the issues before so why now??  If I had of known this is what I was going to deal with I would have done lapband at least if things don't work out they can remove it and give you your old life back.  To all the people considering sleeving pls pls do all the research you can before opting for this.  I know there are people on here worse than me and I have so much sympathy for them but for me this is not what I expected and just hope it settles down sooner than later so I can get back being the happy go lucky gal I once was - cause it's putting such an emotional and stressful strain on me that I am totally over it.  They say it does get better my fingers are crossed.

There are many of us that have not had an easy run so can sympathise. What has your surgeon said about the nausea? There are a number of avenues to take, meds, dilitation, tests. The first couple of months are tough even for many who have no complications. Just recording from major surgery and anesthetic takes its toll. I remember the hospital pain specialist telling me even after a simple gallbladder op you're not really yourself for at least three months and the sleeve is more significant than that. I am sure as time goes on things will improve but keep up the constant lines of communication to your surgeon so you don't have to suffer. I spent my first few months suffering and in and out of hospital before they found out what was wrong as I often just thought it had to be in my own head. I told myself it was all my own fault and I could try harder. Please keep us posted on how you go.

Good luck
Xxx

The first couple of months are the roughest. Some have it better than others. Assuming the surgery went well, it does improve.

So sorry to hear you are having problems and I hope that they can give you something soon to help you feel better, my surgery was 12 weeks ago and I have more pain now than I did the day of surgery with still a leak that has yet to be fixed and I also don't see much of a future for myself at this stage although I know eventually it will be fixed, ive had to have 12 weeks off work with no pay or sick leave and financially we are in a big mess with me not expecting something like this to happen, but it does happen and unfortunately it happened to me.  Im sure things will get better for both of us and wish you all the best

Hi All,
I am new to this site and need some info regarding Gastric Sleeve.  6 weeks ago I had a gastric sleeve in that time I have never felt well not to mention about week 3 they discovered I had an allergic reaction to Nexium which put me into Kidney failure.  I just find that every day I get up I never feel well, always sick in the stomach - does this feeling get better???  I totally regret my decision to have the sleeve and have asked my surgeon what I can now do to make it better.  Any replies would be greatly appreciated