Re: post revision and home! two questions, too.

[Guest guest]

I am anxiously awaiting the answer to my post....but I see it is not

here. I hurt.......so badly. PLEASE hurry the post.

[Guest guest]

Dear Martha Anne,

I wish I had an answer to what you are going through, I had neither problem. Are things" moving" now? Have you tried fiber caplets, I used citrucel caplets to keep things moving through me. I wonder if this is fluid retention, just swelling from the surgery, or maybe gas. I know others have complained of habing a big belly after surgery, maybe it's just swelling from being cut open, and it will take time to subside.The foot thing I never had with my three surgeries, the answer the office gave you seems really possible to me, but push to talk to the doc if you feel it's driving you nuts. I wish I had some wisdom to share but alas I don't. Gee you must be wonder woman to be posting so quick, at this point I was laying in a bed in the livingroom drugged up, and not feeling well enough to post. Amazing!

Colorado Springs

[ ] post revision and home! two questions, too.

Hi! This is Martha Anne, home from Amarillo. All went well, but I must say, it was the hardest thing I have ever done, to date! I am glad to be in my 4th week following surgery. All systems are working now. One of the hardest thing was an "illeus" and I am not sure if this is spelled correctly, but it means my bowels went to sleep. I looked overdue to deliver quadruplets and none of the clothes (my largest and stretchiest) even fit me at the hospital. I now look about four months pregnant! Does anyone who is revised remember how long it takes for the swelling to go down? One more question: I have pain in my right leg - the left leg was the "bad" one, but it is great now. Does anyone remember having a similar problem. I called, and was told by , Dr. LaGrone's assistant, that it was probably due to stretched nerves during the osteotomies, but that, if it got worse, to call. I really hurts. The top of my right foot feels so sensitive. Like it must be bloody hamburger torn up, but it looks perfect. I have been summoned to dinner! Thanks to all of you who were thinking of me during this time!!Sincerely,Martha Anne

[Guest guest]

Martha,

Welcome home. I am very sorry I am not able to speak to the pain you

are experiencing. If you are concerned and really hurting you should

call the doctor again and see if they understand how much pain you

are in.

Be careful not to fall into the " good patient " trap, where you don't

want to feel like a whiney nag and underplay what " hurts " . Whatever

you are feeling is uniquely yours...and pain can be very difficult

to explain....but if it seems like there has been a big upturn in

pain and is doesn't seem related to anything you have done, or an

increase in activity....I really would advise you to call and

restate your concerns.

As to the size of your tummy...I did not have illieus, but I did

have anterior surgery, which I don't think you did? Even so, between

the sluggishness of the bowels and the incision I was pretty swollen

for at least 8 weeks. It takes awhile to get that stuff sorted out,

for sure. I am sure you know that a lot of the pain medications have

the side effects you are experiencing and you have to work very hard

to overcome them. Be sure to follow your doctors orders and if

things don't smooth out be sure to be proactive!

This surgery is grueling and the recovery is hard. I hope you can

get this pain sorted out soon and find some relief.

Please let us know how things go when you can post again.

Take care and take it slow!!!!

Hugs,Cam

If

>

> Hi! This is Martha Anne, home from Amarillo. All went well, but

I

> must say, it was the hardest thing I have ever done, to date! I

am

> glad to be in my 4th week following surgery. All systems are

working

> now. One of the hardest thing was an " illeus " and I am not sure

if

> this is spelled correctly, but it means my bowels went to sleep.

I

> looked overdue to deliver quadruplets and none of the clothes (my

> largest and stretchiest) even fit me at the hospital. I now look

> about four months pregnant! Does anyone who is revised remember

how

> long it takes for the swelling to go down? One more question: I

have

> pain in my right leg - the left leg was the " bad " one, but it is

great

> now. Does anyone remember having a similar problem. I called,

and

> was told by , Dr. LaGrone's assistant, that it was probably

due

> to stretched nerves during the osteotomies, but that, if it got

worse,

> to call. I really hurts. The top of my right foot feels so

> sensitive. Like it must be bloody hamburger torn up, but it looks

> perfect. I have been summoned to dinner! Thanks to all of you who

> were thinking of me during this time!!

> Sincerely,

> Martha Anne

>

[Guest guest]

I didn't have illeus, thankfully, but after my first surgery which was anterior and posterior, I was just plain blown up as a result of the general swelling from them mucking about in there. I went into surgery with a 29 or 30 inch waist and flat tummy, and the first time I stood up afterward my boyfriend had to lean over my belly to hug me!! I'd gained well over 6 inches - it had gone down a bit by the time I got home, and was 36 " then.

It went down over a period of weeks - quite quickly and suddenly at first, then more slowly, but it was fairly comfortably reduced within a couple of weeks of being out of hospital.

After my revision, I was *very* constipated. I had 3 lots of suppositories, and the final one got just a tiny bit of effect, so I missed an enema by the skin of my teeth. What I found was that - TMI alert - a couple of days after that, I passed a very small and solid motion, which was clearly the hold up. Having basically not been (other than the tiny amount after the final suppository) for 15 days at that point, I'll just say that I was rather literally relieved once the blockage had cleared. Very much more comfortable after that point!

Definitely call in again if the foot is not improving. I know you probably don't want to be thinking about more drugs at this point, but it may be that they can prescribe something for the nerve issues to get through the worst of it, and taper off as it heals more. It's something that you need to keep them aware of as well - it's easy to be hypersensitive about things after surgery, particularly because it leaves you so emotional and less able to deal with them, and also so often things really do settle quickly, or they crop up and are gone again before anything can be done about them. I think because they see so much of this, perhaps the clinics are kind of inured against worry, but if you don't keep them aware of it they'll not know it is an ongoing problem.

I really hope you can get some relief nice and soon. Is it worth keeping an eye on things and seeing if there is anything you do that might make it worse at times? If you can work out that there is something aggravating it, then perhaps you can ease it a little by avoiding doing that. It might also be worth asking the clinic next time you call, whether there is anything you should do to support yourself better while you sit, and when you are sleeping - some recommend a pillow behind the knees and others don't, but if it is nerves arguing about being stretched then providing a little extra support at times may help stop them jangling so much. One final thought is that although you don't want to be pressing over the scar or the rods (or on your back at all if it is too sore or too numb), I sometimes find with nerve type things that pressing a couple of inches away from the spine can help relieve them when they're really bad. Perhaps one other thing to ask the clinic is whether it would be safe and useful to try using a TENS machine?

Anyway, I hope you can get this cleared up really quickly.

titch-- The wages of sin are death, but by the time taxes are taken out, it's just sort of a tired feeling - a Poundstone

[Guest guest]

Martha Anne, Glad you are doing well overall. Isn't it great to have

this behind you and be home again?!

Being 2 1/2 weeks out myself I too am very constipated from the oxcy

and trying pericolasce. I had a huge, hard tummy which is starting to

go down. There is more swelling on the side of the incision. I have

numbness in my left leg and swelling in my feet. The nurse

practicioner took out my staples today and said that she is pleased

with my progress and that the swelling would go down over time.

I hope you get the relief you are seeking.

More later,

Annette in Arlington

>

> Hi! This is Martha Anne, home from Amarillo. All went well, but I

> must say, it was the hardest thing I have ever done, to date! I am

> glad to be in my 4th week following surgery. All systems are working

> now. One of the hardest thing was an " illeus " and I am not sure if

> this is spelled correctly, but it means my bowels went to sleep. I

> looked overdue to deliver quadruplets and none of the clothes (my

> largest and stretchiest) even fit me at the hospital. I now look

> about four months pregnant! Does anyone who is revised remember how

> long it takes for the swelling to go down? One more question: I have

> pain in my right leg - the left leg was the " bad " one, but it is great

> now. Does anyone remember having a similar problem. I called, and

> was told by , Dr. LaGrone's assistant, that it was probably due

> to stretched nerves during the osteotomies, but that, if it got worse,

> to call. I really hurts. The top of my right foot feels so

> sensitive. Like it must be bloody hamburger torn up, but it looks

> perfect. I have been summoned to dinner! Thanks to all of you who

> were thinking of me during this time!!

> Sincerely,

> Martha Anne

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you, ! I am doing better today. I am taking my pain pills on time. Yesterday, I tried to skip one of the oxycontin, but the leg pain got so bad...really bad. Things are finally moving in the bowel department and my daughter came home from college last weekend and today for a long weekend. She said the abdominal swelling HAD gone down. I suppose I should just be patient and eventually it will go on down. The physician's assistant said I may always have a little "pooch" there. I don't want a little "pooch" but I guess I need time to heal. I am not very patient, so this healing process will "help" me learn patience, I suppose.

Thanks for the support!

Martha Anne

[ ] post revision and home! two questions, too.

Hi! This is Martha Anne, home from Amarillo. All went well, but I must say, it was the hardest thing I have ever done, to date! I am glad to be in my 4th week following surgery. All systems are working now. One of the hardest thing was an "illeus" and I am not sure if this is spelled correctly, but it means my bowels went to sleep. I looked overdue to deliver quadruplets and none of the clothes (my largest and stretchiest) even fit me at the hospital. I now look about four months pregnant! Does anyone who is revised remember how long it takes for the swelling to go down? One more question: I have pain in my right leg - the left leg was the "bad" one, but it is great now. Does anyone remember having a similar problem. I called, and was told by , Dr. LaGrone's assistant, that it was probably due to stretched nerves during the osteotomies, but that, if it got worse, to call. I really hurts. The top of my right foot

feels so sensitive. Like it must be bloody hamburger torn up, but it looks perfect. I have been summoned to dinner! Thanks to all of you who were thinking of me during this time!!Sincerely,Martha Anne

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Cam. I think you are right about the stomach being swollen - I did have anterior and posterior surgery, so I suppose the swelling in the front is partly from the abdominal sugery. My incision is big..(it looks good) but is very sore. Thanks for your post. It really helps to be able to ask others!

Martha Anne

[ ] Re: post revision and home! two questions, too.

Martha,Welcome home. I am very sorry I am not able to speak to the pain you are experiencing. If you are concerned and really hurting you should call the doctor again and see if they understand how much pain you are in. Be careful not to fall into the "good patient" trap, where you don't want to feel like a whiney nag and underplay what "hurts". Whatever you are feeling is uniquely yours...and pain can be very difficult to explain....but if it seems like there has been a big upturn in pain and is doesn't seem related to anything you have done, or an increase in activity.... I really would advise you to call and restate your concerns.As to the size of your tummy...I did not have illieus, but I did have anterior surgery, which I don't think you did? Even so, between the sluggishness of the bowels and the incision I was pretty swollen for at least 8 weeks. It takes awhile to get that stuff sorted out,

for sure. I am sure you know that a lot of the pain medications have the side effects you are experiencing and you have to work very hard to overcome them. Be sure to follow your doctors orders and if things don't smooth out be sure to be proactive!This surgery is grueling and the recovery is hard. I hope you can get this pain sorted out soon and find some relief.Please let us know how things go when you can post again.Take care and take it slow!!!!Hugs,CamIf>> Hi! This is Martha Anne, home from Amarillo. All went well, but I > must say, it was the hardest thing I have ever done, to date! I am > glad to be in my 4th week following surgery. All systems are working > now. One of the hardest thing

was an "illeus" and I am not sure if > this is spelled correctly, but it means my bowels went to sleep. I > looked overdue to deliver quadruplets and none of the clothes (my > largest and stretchiest) even fit me at the hospital. I now look > about four months pregnant! Does anyone who is revised remember how > long it takes for the swelling to go down? One more question: I have > pain in my right leg - the left leg was the "bad" one, but it is great > now. Does anyone remember having a similar problem. I called, and > was told by , Dr. LaGrone's assistant, that it was probably due > to stretched nerves during the osteotomies, but that, if it got worse, > to call. I really hurts. The top of my right foot feels so > sensitive. Like it must be bloody hamburger torn up, but it looks > perfect. I have been summoned to dinner! Thanks to all of you who

> were thinking of me during this time!!> Sincerely,> Martha Anne>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Titch! I will try the pressing. Also, I have a tens unit that I used prior to surgery. I will definitely call Dr. LaGrone's office again and ask about this. I think today that the main thing that aggravated the leg pain was that I skipped one oxycontin. I was trying to "wean" a little bit off the pain pills, but I am obviously not ready for that. It will only be four weeks past the revsion on Monday, and it was front and back -360 degrees. Dr. LaGrone said that he had done a "lot" of work on me. Thanks for the reply.

Martha Anne

Re: [ ] Re: post revision and home! two questions, too.

I didn't have illeus, thankfully, but after my first surgery which was anterior and posterior, I was just plain blown up as a result of the general swelling from them mucking about in there. I went into surgery with a 29 or 30 inch waist and flat tummy, and the first time I stood up afterward my boyfriend had to lean over my belly to hug me!! I'd gained well over 6 inches - it had gone down a bit by the time I got home, and was 36" then.

It went down over a period of weeks - quite quickly and suddenly at first, then more slowly, but it was fairly comfortably reduced within a couple of weeks of being out of hospital.

After my revision, I was *very* constipated. I had 3 lots of suppositories, and the final one got just a tiny bit of effect, so I missed an enema by the skin of my teeth. What I found was that - TMI alert - a couple of days after that, I passed a very small and solid motion, which was clearly the hold up. Having basically not been (other than the tiny amount after the final suppository) for 15 days at that point, I'll just say that I was rather literally relieved once the blockage had cleared. Very much more comfortable after that point!

Definitely call in again if the foot is not improving. I know you probably don't want to be thinking about more drugs at this point, but it may be that they can prescribe something for the nerve issues to get through the worst of it, and taper off as it heals more. It's something that you need to keep them aware of as well - it's easy to be hypersensitive about things after surgery, particularly because it leaves you so emotional and less able to deal with them, and also so often things really do settle quickly, or they crop up and are gone again before anything can be done about them. I think because they see so much of this, perhaps the clinics are kind of inured against worry, but if you don't keep them aware of it they'll not know it is an ongoing problem.

I really hope you can get some relief nice and soon. Is it worth keeping an eye on things and seeing if there is anything you do that might make it worse at times? If you can work out that there is something aggravating it, then perhaps you can ease it a little by avoiding doing that. It might also be worth asking the clinic next time you call, whether there is anything you should do to support yourself better while you sit, and when you are sleeping - some recommend a pillow behind the knees and others don't, but if it is nerves arguing about being stretched then providing a little extra support at times may help stop them jangling so much. One final thought is that although you don't want to be pressing over the scar or the rods (or on your back at all if it is too sore or too numb), I sometimes find with nerve type things that pressing a couple of inches away from the spine can help relieve them when they're really bad. Perhaps one

other thing to ask the clinic is whether it would be safe and useful to try using a TENS machine?

Anyway, I hope you can get this cleared up really quickly.

titch-- The wages of sin are death, but by the time taxes are taken out, it's just sort of a tired feeling - a Poundstone

[Guest guest]

Whow, Annette, that is great that you are only 2 and 1/2 weeks out. I had the huge hard tummy in the hospital - It is still very big , but not as hard as it was. The constipation was major - I finally got "relief" using tons of suppositores, a wide variety of enimas, and plenty of stool softeners, but I didn't have a "movement" until I got home! It is so great to be on the other side and healing, though.

Martha Anne

[ ] Re: post revision and home! two questions, too.

Martha Anne, Glad you are doing well overall. Isn't it great to havethis behind you and be home again?!Being 2 1/2 weeks out myself I too am very constipated from the oxcyand trying pericolasce. I had a huge, hard tummy which is starting togo down. There is more swelling on the side of the incision. I havenumbness in my left leg and swelling in my feet. The nursepracticioner took out my staples today and said that she is pleasedwith my progress and that the swelling would go down over time. I hope you get the relief you are seeking. More later,Annette in Arlington>> Hi! This is Martha Anne, home from Amarillo. All went well, but I > must say, it was the hardest thing I have ever done, to date! I am > glad to be in

my 4th week following surgery. All systems are working > now. One of the hardest thing was an "illeus" and I am not sure if > this is spelled correctly, but it means my bowels went to sleep. I > looked overdue to deliver quadruplets and none of the clothes (my > largest and stretchiest) even fit me at the hospital. I now look > about four months pregnant! Does anyone who is revised remember how > long it takes for the swelling to go down? One more question: I have > pain in my right leg - the left leg was the "bad" one, but it is great > now. Does anyone remember having a similar problem. I called, and > was told by , Dr. LaGrone's assistant, that it was probably due > to stretched nerves during the osteotomies, but that, if it got worse, > to call. I really hurts. The top of my right foot feels so > sensitive. Like it must be bloody hamburger torn up, but it looks > perfect. I

have been summoned to dinner! Thanks to all of you who > were thinking of me during this time!!> Sincerely,> Martha Anne>

[Guest guest]

Martha,

I may have been lucky, but I did not have any kind of hernia or

residual " pouching " on the front side. My posture feels more like a

childs in that I feel like the belly is tilted a little more

forward...but it did take awhile for the swelling and bloating to go

away. My scar has faded in pretty well and is not very

noticable....although I don't really care since I never wear a two

piece swimsuit.

I am glad you got back on your pain regime. You would be pretty

early in the recovery process to be going backwards on the meds,

although I sympathize and understand your wish to get off them. Did

DrLaGrone turn your meds back over to your PCP or are you still

working with his office? I think the first dose I gave up was the

one that I stopped waking up for in the middle of the night, but boy

did I have to wait for the first ones to kick in to get moving in

the morning. I would have to look back, but I don't think I really

changed my meds much before 6-7 weeks post op...my goal was to be

off the narcotics so I could resume work at around 12 weeks post op.

and I did make that mark....so I don't think, other than the tears,

hot flashes and groggy feeling, you loose too much by waiting. Just

consider it a prelude to menopause!

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

Cam,

You noted hot flashes in this response. Were you refering to

menopause hot flashes or hot flashes related to pain meds or something

else? I just started noticing them or just started having them the

other day and they are so odd. I don't think I am in menopause so I

was wondering what caused them. Any guesses?

Annette in Arlington

[Guest guest]

Annette,

Well, I was referring to both! During the post op period while I was

on narcotic meds I would " flash " or " flush " ...I was getting my period

still but thought maybe it was the beginning of " the end " . Then I read

somewhere that it is a side effect ...probably linked to the time of

dosage...I honesty can't remember if it was close to the time I was

due to take another tab....but probably was just the littlest bit of

withdrawal?

Anyway....of course the feeling stopped after I stopped taking the

Endocet..and now, 1.5 years later I am enjoying the " real deal " ....and

oddly it feels exctly the same! Of course between the surgery and the

drugs I turned into a emotional dishrag....weeping at the silliest

things....so who knows...maybe the drugs have a hormonal effect too?

I think the flashed are quite normal, but of course you should check

it out with your dcotor the next time you speak of meds. Also....you

might want to go into the " Links " section of the site, at the very

bottom there is a link to the 2006 Guide the American Pain Foundation

puts out. It is quite good and very thorough about each particular

drug, side effects and so forth.

I hope this helps.....flash on!

Cam

[Guest guest]

Thanks Cam. Interesting. I think you are on to something. Maybe it

is a combination of the drugs (timing of the dosage or the time

release occurences of the long acting oxcy and a vicodin dose)and

hormonal changes considering it seems some of us are at that odd point

where anything could be thrown into perimenopausal category.

BTW, hospital bill came in around $135k for seven days. Total cost so

far at $200k. Thank goodness for insurance. And my prayers for those

facing this without coverage.

Best,

Annette in Arlington

>

> Annette,

>

> Well, I was referring to both! During the post op period while I was

> on narcotic meds I would " flash " or " flush " ...I was getting my period

> still but thought maybe it was the beginning of " the end " . Then I read

> somewhere that it is a side effect ...probably linked to the time of

> dosage...I honesty can't remember if it was close to the time I was

> due to take another tab....but probably was just the littlest bit of

> withdrawal?

>

> Anyway....of course the feeling stopped after I stopped taking the

> Endocet..and now, 1.5 years later I am enjoying the " real deal " ....and

> oddly it feels exctly the same! Of course between the surgery and the

> drugs I turned into a emotional dishrag....weeping at the silliest

> things....so who knows...maybe the drugs have a hormonal effect too?

>

> I think the flashed are quite normal, but of course you should check

> it out with your dcotor the next time you speak of meds. Also....you

> might want to go into the " Links " section of the site, at the very

> bottom there is a link to the 2006 Guide the American Pain Foundation

> puts out. It is quite good and very thorough about each particular

> drug, side effects and so forth.

>

> I hope this helps.....flash on!

> Cam

>

[Guest guest]

Annette,

I was not on any of the long acting drugs, but that might just have

made it more apparent to me that I was " flashing " ...after all, the

cycles therefore were probably more frequent for me.

As to the hormonal cycles...I don't think we have spoken of this in

awhile....but no matter where we were in our cycle when we had

surgery....many of us ended up with our period during the first week

post-op. So it may be awhile for all that stuff to re-regulate.

At least that is one thing the boys don't have to think about!

Take CAre, Cam