Return To Surgery

[zilgirl2012 2]

I was banded on the 10th, doing great, went back to work yesterday- doing great until about 1130, I stood up to go check on one of my nursing units and my port site got huge. It looked like a full-term baby's head was trying to come through my abdomen. I immediately broke out in a cold sweat and thought I was going to faint. I called my husband, who works in the same facility to come quick. He called Dr. Miles' office and they had me come in immediately. His Nurse Practitioner and Sonographer immediately tried to see if if was a seroma, Dr. Miles viewed the echo, and didn't really see Fluid so he thought I had a hernia- which he has never had before. He sent me for a CT which showed fluid. They tried to aspirate it in the office(don't want to know how many needle sticks are in my belly) and they could only get small amts of thick, bloody fluid. Upon seeing that, Dr. Miles decided to take me back to surgery. He was hesitant to open up the port site due to increasing the chance of infection but felt he had no choice. I went into surgery around 5. According to my husband last night, he evacuated a 200cc hematoma and put a drain in. We got home around 9 p.m. with very little instructions so I called the office this morning. I have to keep the drain for a week- it's still draining and can't go back to work until it's out. I could shower today- yay! I hurt a lot worse at the port site than I did last week. My son stayed home with me today and my husband is tomorrow. They're having to help me get up and down. The site is very bruised all the way over to my belly button and is still pretty swollen due to the tissue trauma. I had to be on liquids for 24 hrs- I can go back to fulls tomorrow. Really had no appetite today. Had to force fluids down. On a humorous note, I watched Bones twice. According to my son, I watched it when I got home last night but I don't remember a thing. I watched it again tonight despite him teasing me about it.

I really hope this is the end of complications. Anyone who prays, please pray that I do not develop an infection of any kind. If I do, I'll have to have the band removed. and then I don't know what I'll do.

[soccer*mom 5]

I am so sorry that you are having such a hard time! I can't even imagine. How did you get the hematoma? Hopefully it will be smooth sailing from here on out. So scary!

[Yve 6]

All the best in your recovery...i will remember you in my prayers.

[Cazzy 725]

so sorry to hear of your problems ... you are in my thoughts and i hope u have a speedy and successful recovery

[adorkbl 156]

So sorry about your complication!! How frightening that must have been initially. Glad you are on the mend. I hope everything is smooth sailing from here on out!!!

[kll724 3,055]

Best wishes and prayers for you! Karen

[zilgirl2012 2]

Thank y'all for your well wishes and prayers.

[candyl41 3]

Glad see u doing better ive never heard if that.. i will say prayers ive caught staph ibfection after a back surgery so i know how it is to have2 surgeries.. goid luck

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

Oh my goodness that's awful. I'm so sorry you're going through this. I'll definitely keep you in my prayers.

[zilgirl2012 2]

Quick update- I'm improving every day. No sign of infection. Belly still pretty bruised- my son says it looks like a bag of skittles. He thinks he's soooo funny. I only got 15cc from the drain today so hopefully it will come out Monday. This is post-op day 9 for me from the original lap band procedure. I am still having difficulty getting more than 4oz of a Protein Shake down. Is this normal?

[adorkbl 156]

Quick update- I'm improving every day. No sign of infection. Belly still pretty bruised- my son says it looks like a bag of skittles. He thinks he's soooo funny. I only got 15cc from the drain today so hopefully it will come out Monday. This is post-op day 9 for me from the original lap band procedure. I am still having difficulty getting more than 4oz of a Protein shake down. Is this normal?

I don't think there will be a "normal" for you. You just had two back to back abdominal surgeries. Just keep sipping and stay as hydrated as you can.

Glad to hear you are improving and there is no sign of infection. Yay!! Soon this will all be a distant memory.