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My surgeon told me that they usually clear people to workout after three weeks but being that I had an infection and still have an open incision from the drain (it’s still closing), i can’t really workout so I’m stuck. I have been getting up and walking around more especially at work but my question is: I have a stationary bike at home where i can sit and just watch television. Do you think it’s a bad idea to sit on it at night and just watch some tv? I feel eager but not sure if it’s the best idea since I still have the open incision. Thoughts?

So I’m struggling. It’s been three weeks tomorrow that I had my surgery and I’m at a standstill in Week 3. I’ve lost 25 lbs but I can’t seem to lose more right now. Due to my infection after surgery, i still can’t work out because i have an open incision where the drain was and the surgeon wants it to close on its own. I need some encouragement right now because the scale is not moving and I’m thinking of eating bad things because of this moment.

I used them, the mango flavored ones and they really helped me during my first two weeks post op. I still have some to help me get my full protein because I’m not getting enough right now.

So after surgery I contracted an infection which led to my surgeon needing to drain an abscess in my stomach and leaving the drain in for a week. He finally removed it on Friday and did not stitch it up as he would like it to close on its own. Has anyone experienced this before too? So at the moment I have an open incision and was curious to know how long it takes for something like this to close. I currently have a bandage on it so not to get anything in it and re-infect the area but it’s a little frustrating. Any tips?

So I was sleeved on May 3rd and I’ve lost 25 lbs so far but I feel like I’m at a standstill now. I ended up with an infection and the drain was recently taken out two days ago and I’m stuck with bad thoughts. I did crumble and ate something I shouldn’t have and I totally regret it. I think what I’m saying right now is I need some encouragement to get back on track. I’ve wanted this for so long I don’t want to risk messing things up. I still can’t exercise at the moment because where the drain was it is still an open wound the surgeon wants to heal and close on its own without stitches. Also I can’t even walk outside because it’s been raining in South Florida by me for the last seven days straight with no chance of letting up until Thursday. So I think I just need some advice, anything would be helpful.

Thank you, I needed your words of encouragement to keep staying positive. It’s hard for me since no one in my family knows I had the surgery just my coworkers but talking and expressing things with people who know what I’m going through helps me keep on the right path. I haven’t tracked my food yet but I am going to start doing that, it’s a good idea.

We have all done this. Perfection is not a realistic goal! Thank you so much for the encouraging words. I guess i sometimes need to hear from other people who are going through it with me.

You are not alone. Remember to trust your instincts and follow up if you feel something is not right. I’m 17 days post op and I still have some discomfort around certain incisions but when I was four days post op I knew something wasn’t right. My stomach was getting hard and red and I had to hold it to walk or get up. Turns out I had an infection that the surgeon had to drain for a week. I feel better now but still some discomfort being that the incision site where the drain was is open so the skin can close itself without stitches. I also had nausea, mine lasted about ten days post op and got much better. The one good thing I learned is to trust my gut. I’m not saying you have what I had but remember sometimes our bodies tell us things. I regretted my decision at first too but I’m down 25 lbs and I am looking forward to the future.

So ever since my surgeon had to drain this abscess on Thursday I’ve been struggling emotionally. Changing the dressing numerous times a day is not helping me with my emotions because I feel like it is not slowing down on the drain, it seems to keep a steady pace. Well I just went to change the dressing just now I felt the area where the abscess is and it is still hard and in my point of view big so I’m worried that come Monday the doctor won’t be removing my drain. If the drain isn’t removed (which I know medically it may need to be there) I feel like I will slip into a deeper depression. This drain is the only thing from keeping me from driving and doing things because I was told I need to rest and walk. Just wanted to put this out there because any encouraging words may help boost my spirits. Thanks in advance

Thank you for your support and words of encouragement. I know this is a hard step that most having the surgery do not have to face so I know by me getting this far, I’ve accomplished a lot but it’s still hard. I just keep praying and hope things work out for the best on Monday.

Thank you for the support. I have been calling and texting friends who know about my surgery and my aunt who is a nurse calls me daily to check in. I think what is making this process harder is that my mom does not know about the surgery so I’m unable to reach out to her for support. She’s a very negative person and this surgery was about me so mentally I wanted to have a clear head. I’ve been walking outside in my parking lot and just trying to stay busy

So I’m not crazy. All the pain I’ve been feeling around the one incision site and the redness that has grown and the hardness in my stomach is indeed an infection. I called my doctor today crying in pain and they suggested i go to the ER to be checked out since he was in surgeries all day. While in the ER he called and said that he would prefer to see me in his office. Once there and in a room, he took one look at my complaint and said yes it is an infection and prescribed an antibiotic and more pain meds because It’s causing so much pain. I have to go back tomorrow to see him and he marked up my stomach to see if the redness has expanded. He doesn’t think anything has to be drained but he wants to watch it. I feel so much better that i am not going crazy and that there was actually something legit wrong.

Thank you for the support

So I went back to the doctor today for a check up to see if the antibiotics were working and if the tenderness had gone down (it was a rough night). Well the doctor said no and that he needed to drain it right then and there stating that I had an abscess underneath. Once drained he took a culture of it thinking it may be staph (this was the incision site he pulled the stomach out of) and said that piece of my stomach could have had a bacteria on it that led to this infection. I have to continuously change the dressing as he put a drain in to help with it still and go back Monday. I feel like we know our bodies and we need to listen to them. I’ve been talking to them since Monday about this because I knew something wasn’t right. I also feel like everything happens to me and I can’t catch a break 🤦🏼‍♀️

Thank you everyone for the support. This app has really helped me through this journey.

Exactly. I had contacted them on Monday and they said not to worry but it only got worse. I could have had the antibiotics since Monday if they listened to me.

Thank you me too. Today was a good day. Hopefully tomorrow will be better

So i posted this yesterday that one of my incision sites is red and hard right above my belly button area. It’s the only one that hurts and today I’m off my pain meds and I called the doctor to make sure it’s ok and she said yes, it could be because he did the most work there. Well being the nut case that i am i emailed them this afternoon a picture of it and they showed the doctor and he said it’s definitely not infected that it’s normal and there is a stitch underneath that could be hurting as well. Well right now I’m miserable and in lots of pain and I can’t sleep at night and I feel so defeated that all I want to do is cry. I need some support from my fellow peers.

I’m five days post op and none of mine are lifting but i have redness around one of my incision sites and my stomach is hard in that area. Doctor said it’s ok and it’s not infected but i can barely walk without hold my stomach and putting ice on it. I can’t get comfortable because of it

This is a pain that’s been going on since yesterday. I’m four days post op today. I did call my doctor this morning and i sent them a picture this afternoon they said it is ok, nothing is infected and i should not worry. I also had a hernia repair while he was in there and he said this incision site ( which is also to the right of my belly button and the biggest ) is where he did the most work. That there is a stitch underneath that could cause the pain too. I just love alone, everyone leaves once the day is over and I worry. My doctor did say wear loose clothes, i wish i could get what you ordered from amazon, i need something to mask the pressure.

So I’m four days post op and I’m pretty much feeling ok with the exception of some pressure around one specific incision site. It is right above my belly button and it’s actually where my skin hangs over a little (sorry for the graphics) but i needed you to know where it was. I woke up with it feeling like this and it didn’t feel like this yesterday, I’m thinking maybe i slept funny last night and I just irritated it but not sure. What do you guys think? I’m still on some pain meds but i don’t want to keep taking them and become dependent on them. I also had a hernia fixed during surgery and I’m not sure if that is around the same area of my pressure now. Any advice?

That is where my most pain is near my belly button incision. Maybe i am using this muscle more to get in and out of bed but if it still hurts tomorrow I’m going to call and ask my doctor because my appointment is not until the 14th

I came home yesterday after having my surgery on Thursday. I spent one day in the hospital and i live alone but I’m grateful to have friends who support me and check in on me daily and almost every hour If i need anything. I’ve been tired a lot lately and i feel like i am not using the bathroom enough like the hospital. Still feeling some discomfort but I’m hoping to be off the pain meds by tomorrow night. Drinking fluids for two weeks is my meal plan post op and it’s hard to keep sipping but I’m trying. Does anyone else feel this way? I’m excited for this journey tho.

That’s fantastic! Good luck to your whole family.

I am three days out post op and i wouldn’t have changed my mind. This was the best decision I’ve made. Yes there may be some struggles at first and I’m still experiencing a few but this is the start of my new life. Your coworker does not know how you feel inside about yourself. This surgery has to be done for you and for you only which is why i only confided in people whom I knew would support me. I knew my mother would not support me so i did not tell her because weight loss is more than just a physical change, it’s also mental and an emotional change. Good luck and i hope you don’t let your coworkers change your mind