Setback

[Shontel 3]

OK so I'm kinda cross posting from my blog but I hope to find someone who has had a similar experience.

I have been having extreme pain for about a week. The pain is where my large incision is on my left side. 2 nights ago I noticed a knot the size of an orange over my incision. I was also red and extremely warm. So, went to the ER yesterday..had a contrast CT scan..and it shows a accumulation of fluid/blood/abcess? I was put on strong antibiotics and given the number of a surgeon (who does sleeves) (refresher-I had my surgery in Mexico Nov 27th) So Monday if this doesn't begin to go down on its own I will probably have to have it DRAINED...I'm just picturing an elephant needle/syringe. Or perhaps a tube style drain?? I am so worried...and in so much pain. Anyone been through anything similar? Oh, the good news is that found the sleeve to be perfect with no leaks..yay...one good thing!

anyones comments on their personal stories are really appreciated.

[I Can and I Will 29]

Shontel,

Haven't had the experience my friend; however, I'm glad you caught it early and you'll be in my thoughts and prayers...

[LAN2k 18]

I'm sorry for this complication but I think you have done the right thing and it will be remedied. I am glad to know there are no leaks. Thank God for that now let's pray this other issue is resolved and fast. Please keep us informed. It seems there is less posting lately due to the holiday season but I'm sure others will respond with additional help and support. Just hang in there it's all any of us can do when we run into a setback or problem having to do with this surgery. God bless and keep you.

[Tiffykins 673]

I had a similar situation about 6.5 weeks post op except I had 3 large Fluid pockets/abscesses. 2 in my abdomen, and one lower down in close to my pelvic cavity.

I had no other symptoms, they were in random places in my stomach. I was hospitalized, and had 2 pig tail drains placed that stayed in a little over 3 weeks.

Hopefully, the antibiotics will resolve this issue for you. I was very sick with my situation, and was dehydrated. That's what mainly prompted the hospitalization. I was hospitalized on a Monday, and had just seen my surgeon the Thursday before. I had the beginning stage of a UTI, and had been put on Levaquin on Thursday. By Sunday, I couldn't get out of bed due to the pain I was experiencing. My Fluid pockets were huge, like the size of oranges. I just thought I was having symptoms from the UTI, and the Levaquin is probably what kept me from getting febrile.

[InternetAngel 0]

This sounds like something I was experiencing. A spot by my incision was very very painful. I couldnt hardly stand it. When it first started I went to my local ER. They did a CT scan, ultrasound and blood work. They told me the same thing. A seroma/hematoma under the skin causing me this pain. They put me on anitbiotics. After awhile I was still hurting, went back, they gave me pain meds. The pain meds DIDNT touch this pain. I let this go on for 3 weeks. I couldnt take it anymore. I finally got in to see my surgeon and he thought it was a small hernia with some swelling in the abdomen. We scheduled surgery to go in and take a look. If you search my other threads you will see how serious I felt the pain was.

After surgery I was told my DR found a baseball sized mass in my abdomen near my incision. He said when he cut into it, it had a sandy, grainy substance to it. I wont know any pathology to it until my check up next week. Since he removed it, I have felt WONDERFUL! He has improved my quality of life. I am able to walk, sit up, lay down, go to the bathroom, work and have started going to the gym.

I am not saying you have anything like mine, I just think you should get it checked out further.

[Shontel 3]

InternetAngel...same situation with me...pain meds don't do ANYTHING for the pain. So so tender...feverish...I'm so ready for tomorrow, I just want to deal with it, this has been going on for over a week!

Tiffy-WOW...what am I whining about after hearing your story!!

[Shontel 3]

OK, so yesterday was my doc appointment, he took one look at my festering wound (buldge was the size of an orange, and red as a cherry) and sent me to the hospital as an add on for day surgery. He went in through my recent incision. He said that it literally 'burst' when he opened it. Brown Fluid mixed with blood (sorry to be gross) anyhow, Fluid pocket was 3.5 inches down from what I was told...but when I woke up...INSTANT RELIEF!!!! I'm feeling the wound pain, but nothing as to what I felt for the prior 13 days. I now have an packed open wound..as you might know these type of wounds have to heal from the inside out...but he is going to change the packing in a day or so and show me how. Thanks to everyone for their comments and prayers.

InternetAngel: I KNOW what you mean about that kind of pain....nothing I ever want to experience again. Last night was the first time I took a pain pill that WORKED...felt so good to have RELIEF!!!

On another note, I just want to say, that the docs here at St. Patricks Hospital didn't once judge or question me for going to Mexico. The ER doc a few days back asked why in a little condescending voice, however, I firmly said "well I had my lap band there, and got treated so well I decided to go back" So all in all got treated very well here, yay!!!

[i1Linda 15]

Shontel,

I'm glad you a feeling better, I was concerned for you. Sounds like a scary experience. I hope you heal quickly and can get back on your WL journey. Take care.

[Boredoncemore 0]

I'm from Starks, La--live in Baytown Tx now...go St. Pat's! I'm very happy to hear you are closer to being pain free!

[annak4 1]

Glad you are better. Kept checking your blog all day yesterday for news. Glad St. Pat's treated you well, but I love Dr. Zapata, too!

[carolyn24seven 11]

Glad you took action and got-er-done. Jeeze we can ignore stuff forever thinking it will go away. Guess the pain of that just made you take action. Your body did its amazing job of gathering up all the bad stuff happening in your body. Good thing the Dr. removed that nice tight package before it burst.

Now, you are on your way to working the sleeve and a great new life. Complications aside, you are still happy for your sleeve? Hope so.

Best, speedest recovery wishes.

[Shontel 3]

carolyn24seven: I'm very happy with my sleeve. It has not given me an ounce of trouble. (although I did overeat once, and it taught me a painful lesson. Lesson Learned!!)

As for today, I'm feeling good, changing the bandages 2 x's a day, taking my antibiotic, sip sip sipping on fluids, taking an occasional pain pill (love ya pain pills, lol) getting stronger everyday. I missed my weigh in last Friday since I was in the ER, and haven't cared about getting on the scale, but tomorrow I'm going to get on it and see if I've lost anymore since 2 weeks ago...hopefully I lost something, I can't see how I didn't! Thanks to everyone for your onoging support and comments!!

[BlueOctoberGirl 111]

Hello,

I have a quick question. I am also having surgery in Mexico. Did your insurance here cover the cost of the complications? I am nervous about that since they are not paying for my surgery.

Thanks so much!

Denise B.

[Jordien 30]

Good Lord, this stuff sounds awful! And Painful!

What caused all of this? Infection at the incision? I'm going to go check all of my incisions now for nearby red bumps. Very scary!

Feel better!