GMC

Ive been banded almost a month. About 2 days ago my port incision started bleeding out of nowhere and its now pussing. I was scheduled for my first fill today and when I went in to see my Dr. she said I have an infection. She put me on an antibiotic for 7 days . I'll see her again in a week. I am sooo upset by this. Does this mean my band will have to come out? Has anyone experienced anything like this? I'm really depressed right now and can only think of the worst. :thumbup:

From the Mayo Clinic website.... MRSA infection is caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria — often called "staph." MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. It's a strain of staph that's resistant to the broad-spectrum antibiotics commonly used to treat it. MRSA can be fatal. Most MRSA infections occur in hospitals or other health care settings, such as nursing homes and dialysis centers. It's known as health care-associated MRSA, or HA-MRSA. Older adults and people with weakened immune systems are at most risk of HA-MRSA. More recently, another type of MRSA has occurred among otherwise healthy people in the wider community. This form, community-associated MRSA, or CA-MRSA, is responsible for serious skin and soft tissue infections and for a serious form of pneumonia Staph skin infections, including MRSA, generally start as small red bumps that resemble pimples, boils or spider bites. These can quickly turn into deep, painful abscesses that require surgical draining. Sometimes the bacteria remain confined to the skin. But they can also penetrate into the body, causing potentially life-threatening infections in bones, joints, surgical wounds, the bloodstream, heart valves and lungs MRSA is a strain of staph that's resistant to the broad-spectrum antibiotics commonly used to treat it. Staph infections Staph bacteria are normally found on the skin or in the nose of about one-third of the population. If you have staph on your skin or in your nose but aren't sick, you are said to be "colonized" but not infected. Healthy people can be colonized and have no ill effects. However, they can pass the germ to others. Staph bacteria are generally harmless unless they enter the body through a cut or other wound, and even then they often cause only minor skin problems in healthy people. However, staph infections can cause serious illness. This most often happens in older adults and people who have weakened immune systems, usually in hospitals and long term care facilities. But in the past several years, serious infections have been occurring in otherwise healthy people in the community, for example athletes who share equipment or personal items.

Well turns out I have MRSA! My dr said it's nothing to worry about and i will be fine. No clue how I got it. I will be on the antibiotic for another week so 2 weeks total. So be careful everyone!

I was one of those people that were not educated on this. My surgeon was very thorough on what he was going to do during the surgery and that was about it. We never really discussed the aftermath. Thanks for posting this. It should definitely be a sticky. And if I have to hear.."So how much weight have you lost"? one more time I am going to scream!!!! I made the decision to tell all my friends and family about the surgery and boy was that a mistake. I feel like people are looking at me like a failure already. They don't understand how the surgery works. It's so frustrating. When I say oh only 10lbs, everyones response is "That's it"? UGH!!! I wish I kept it to myself.

Thanks guys. I am trying to think positive but its so hard. I'm in a lot of pain. It's bleeding a lot of there is so much green puss! EEWW sorry!! There is a hole in my incision that keeps leaking. I've read that people had to have their ports replaced and I'm praying this isn't the case. Michael is this what your infection was like?

You said "before it came out"...do you mean the band? Did you have it taken out? I am soo worried. I just got home from the dr and I too have an infection. My port incision is bleeding and pussing. He sent me home with an antibiotic. Hopefully it clears up soon! But I am hoping this doesn't lead to more problems down the road.

My first fill is tomorrow. I am curious how your dr's office does it. My dr does first come first serve. Is this strange? Seemed it to me. My appointment time is 11am but they told me to get there early so I don't have to wait on line. HUH???

I don't think it's infected. I did what you said and it stayed white. I guess I didn't realize how long it would take to heal. Thank you!!!!

I am having a very similar issue and was just about to start a thread about it till I read your post. I was banded on the 2nd and haven't had much port pain until now...which is beginning to worry me. My incision has gotten very red and is extremely sensitive. It's sore when I touch it and just sitting here it aches. However no one has stepped on my stomach and have no idea why this is happening now. Should I be concerned? Good luck to you and hopefully we will get some answers!

I am in the exact same boat as you. Since being banded on April 2nd I have only lost 14lbs...4 of which I've gained back already. I am pretty depressed about it. Friends and family that I've told about my surgery are telling me I wasted my money...but they don't understand how it works. It's very discouraging. I am under the impression that once you have a few fills you will eat less because you'll have more restriction. The weight will come off, it just takes time. Search these boards and you will find a lot of people with this very same issue. It will get better! Try to stay positive and good luck!

4 total - 3 small 1 port

And this is why I am not having children! lol sounds like a nightmare. Hope all is well now that you're back home.

Hi Guys! How's everyone doing? I'm on day 9 post op and feeling great! My port site is still pretty sore though...is this normal? I'm curious to know how you guys are doing mentally. I saw a group of friends yesterday and they all commented on how happy and energetic I seemed. I didn't even realize that I was feeling pretty damn good! I get up early now, never tired and have loads of energy. I'm even thinking clearer. Do any of you notice a change like this? I'm sure it has alot to do with not having fast food or pizza in almost 2 weeks lol but I didn't think it would hit me this quickly. I'm likin this! Another question...with all this warm weather rolling in I could use a cocktail! I'm curious if any of you that have been banded already have had any alcohol yet. It seems a bit early. I am tempted to have a glass of wine but I think I should wait till I'm on solid foods. Any thoughts?

I have the Realize band but I couldn't tell ya the difference. Moments before I went into surgery the nurse told me she had both. I told her to give me whichever she thought was best. I know there is a thread here comparing the 2. I'm sure if you do a search for it you'll find it. I have my follow up appointment on Friday and I will definitely ask my dr.

I've lost 10lbs in 6 days by doing the clear liquid diet. Jello and broth. Give it a shot! And good luck!

I'm on day 4 post op too. I feel your pain! This is rough. I am not allowed Protein shakes till day 7 so its been broth and Jello and I am soooo sick of it! I do drink the Isopure Zero Carb drinks. If you are on Clear Liquids then you should be able to have these. I like the pineapple orange banana flavor. It no cheesecake but it helps a little...and I do mean a little lol.

I'm having chest pains too. At times its hard to breath. And this damn shoulder pain! Keep pressing on, guys...we can do this!

I am 3 days post op and my shoulder pain started the moment I woke from the anesthesia. I spoke to my nutritionist today and she said exactly what everyone else is saying...its from the air they use to inflate your stomach during surgery. She said it shouldn't last long. Ugh!

Does SF Cool Whip count as a clear liquid??? God, I hope so!

I didn't go! I couldn't do it. I was actually feeling very sore and gassy yesterday so I spent the day in bed. And secretly I was nervous to be around all that food. My family goes all out every holiday. But my mom came over and hung out in bed with me all day so that was nice.

I have left shoulder pain too. Doesn't anyone find this odd? We all had bands placed around our stomach, not shoulders...so why the pain there?

Thanks guys. I decided not to go for the egg. I was having a weak moment but I pushed though it. Today I haven't been hungry at all. So I guess it gets easier. I'm going to call the nutritionist tomorrow and see if she will allow me anything else.

I can't crush my daily meds cause they are time release capsules. I haven't had a problem at all swallowing them so far. Does anyone take sleeping aids? I've had trouble sleeping the past 2 nights and was considering taking an over the counter pill. Do you think this would be safe to do?

I have the Isopure drinks. Which flavors did u get? I purchased the punch, blue ras, and pineapple one. So far Ive only tried the blue ras and it tastes like smelly feet to me!

I am on Clear Liquids for the 1st week...which leaves me with a nasty Protein drink from GNC, chicken broth and Jello. I also had my boyfriend make me egg drop Soup yesterday. I hope its ok to eat that. I usually start with jello for breakfast then if I'm not sleeping soup for lunch and dinner. Soooo boring!! I feel very unsure like you. Yesterday I was starving and I already cheated. I feel like such a loser. I had 2 tablespoons of hummus. But at least its not chocolate! Today though I am not hungry at all. So far I've only had a few sips of Crystal Lite. I will probably have some broth later. Hopefully this gets easier.