High pulse, diarrhea, headache, helplessness and regret 4 days post op Tummy Tuck. (photos)

Question

I'm feeling bummed. The pain was terrible and now its mostly discomfort and tightness of course. My pulse rate has never come down from 120 since I left the hospital on day two. It was 150 post-op, and I got beta blockers. Blood pressure 140/97. Is that because of the pain? Dr. seems OK with it. Have a headache right now I'm just feeling really hopeless and depressed. Pretty mobile. Diarrhea has been every day and all day leaving me dehydrated. Any suggestions?

Anita Patel, MD, FACS · Answer

I'm so sorry to hear you are having such a rough recovery! While the early regret feeling can be a normal part of recovery, the rest of your recovery does NOT sound normal and I recommend you notify you surgeon and seek medical help now to make sure nothing serious is going on. It's worrisome that you say your heart rate has not come down from 120. A high heart rate can be pain related, but once your pain is under control, this should go down. Also, the diarrhea is also concerning, and the blood pressure is high. Normally dehydration alone would give you a low blood pressure and high heart rate. Also, most patients who are taking pain medication report constipation rather than diarrhea. It would be useful to know your past medical history (any history of high blood pressure, for example), if you are walking, tolerating food and liquids by mouth, and what your urine output was like to get a better picture of what is going on. Also, was the 2 day hospital stay for routine aftercare, or was that for a specific reason? Unfortunately I don't have enough information to determine what is going on, but I would highly recommend notifying your surgeon right away, and getting medical attention. If your surgeon is unable to see you right away, you may need to go to the emergency room for an evaluation. If you've been feeling dehydrated since surgery and having diarrhea, it may be helpful to check labs and look at your electrolytes, and you may benefit from IV fluids if you aren't able to tolerate liquids by mouth. The reason for the diarrhea also needs to be determined. You may need to be admitted to the hospital, so don't delay in getting medical care. It's always better to be safe.

Gary Lawton, MD, FACS · Answer

The tachycardia is from the dehydration and the pain.  I would suggest that you need to get the diarrhea under control as well as the pain.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I'm sorry to hear about the problems you are experiencing.  I think that you need to seek medical attention now.  Your change in vital signs along with continuous headache and diarrhea are all signs of a potentially serious problem. Accurate diagnosis and treatment is necessary ASAP.   Best wishes.

Nicholas Jones, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for question.  I am sorry you are having problems.  It sounds like you have a couple of issues that may be related.  It is important that you stay hydrated in the immediate postoperative period to replenish your intravascular volume.  Your diarrhea may be the underlying cause of your dehydration which may be the cause of your tachycardia (elevated heart rate).  However, it is important that you see your surgeon further evaluation to make sure you do not have any other underlying causes of your symptoms.

Terrence Higgins, MD · Answer

Thank you for your questions and photos.
Your results look great.
The remaining issues of elevated blood pressure and heart rate combined with persistent diarrhea need to be more throughly addressed by your board certified surgeon surgeon that performed your abdominoplasty.
Antibiotics that you may have been taking can cause an imbalance in your guts normal flora...
You should see your surgeon asap and he/she will help you over this hump and get you in your way to loving your results.
Best of luck to you!

High pulse, diarrhea, headache, helplessness and regret 4 days post op Tummy Tuck. (photos)

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Answer: Postoperative Problems After Tummy Tuck

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Answer: Post op high blood pressure

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High pulse, diarrhea, headache, helplessness and regret 4 days post op Tummy Tuck. (photos)

Answers (7)

Answer: Postoperative Problems After Tummy Tuck

Answer: Postoperative Problems After Tummy Tuck

Answer: Post op high blood pressure

Answer: Post op high blood pressure

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Tummy Tuck

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.