Stitches Infected (Caution: Long)

[Ms Lady in NC 1]

It is my fault for being superwoman and not resting once I got back home I know. But in my defense, I did not do it intentionally. There is a lot on my plate right now and I had to handle business. But for the last 2 days I have been taking it easy. Not only because I do not want to get sicker but mainly because of the lack of compassioate care around here. I really refuse to go to the ER again unless I have to and the only surgery group that handles wls is even more anal than the hospital.

I woke up Thur nite with a slight fever and some redness to the middle scar on my stomach which was also the one they pulled my stomach thru. Told hubby and then headed to ER. The check-in nurse immediately asked my problem and I told her. She then proceeded to ask me "Well why did you come here after having surgery in Mx?" I stated because the stitches were irritated. She then stated how that's why the economy is messed up now fromm us giving everyone else business. I didn't give her a rebuttal and followed her to my room. The doctor came in and with a very similar attitude, began to tell me how instead of me having a problem with a stitch, I likely had a problem with my surgery and would likely have major complications for going to Mx and getting it done. She then ordered an Xray and eventhough they came back normal, she insisted it was my sleeve and not my stitches, so she ordered another set of very in depth Xrays again. After they came back normal, I asked her if she would at least look at my stictches and she began pressing around my stomach saying how I must have some type of leak and asked if it hurt at all when she pushed down? Finally, I took the gauze off the area myself and said this is the only problem and she looked at me as if I were crazy. Left out the room but sending in a tech to ask for a urine sample. By this time which was 3 hours later, I was irritated and refused and she said she needed to at least get my vitals standing, sitting, and lying down. WTF? I did that and was ready to walk out when the doctor returned with a purple marker and said the surgeon on the floor told her to mark the inflammed area and to refer me to the surgery clinic tomorrow, told me I could keep the pen she used to draw on my belly, and walked out. I was in tears by then. A few mins later, a male nurse came in with 3 pills telling me they were antibiotics and pain meds. I told him I could not take such large capsules and he claimed I was exagerrating. I tool the antibiotic but told him I was driving and refused the pain meds. Immediately I was in pain and tears and was just ready to get away from there. I had no bandage to cover the incision and when I asked them to cover it, they said it was not procedure to work on Mexican mistakes. They dicharged me with having Cellulitis and let me sign myself out.

I went to bed after finally getting the pill up and out a hour later. Woke up Fri and was glad I covered it myself because it was soaked and seeping so hubby rushed me back and darn near cursed everyone he came in contact with at the hospital. He told them how he had called the so called "surgery clinic" and was told they couldn't see me because I had my surgery in Mexico instead of there. He stood face to face with the doctor and said they were gonna treat me right hten or else he was gonna bring in reporters and file complaints with several people. In less than an hour I had an ultrasound to see how deep my infection was and luckily it was only beginning and did not need to be opened in their opinion. They gave me liquid pain and antibiotics and ordered me to take it easy with bedrest for the weekend. They even volunteered to admit me if I wished but that came after my personal doctor got hubby's msg of how I was treated. I told them I would be fine to leave and thanked them and left.

I know that was a lot to read but I feel the need to vent a bit. I am used to racism, sexism, and even size discrimination. But it really pisses me off that some that can heal refuse to help anyone in need unless they fit their description of who should be helped. My personal doc is supportive and even praised me for doing what I did to try to save my life. When he saw me after I got back he was amazed at how my blood pressure had been normal since the day of surgery. I am so thankful I have him in my corner but am real worried about the future and if I have another issue or an emergency that will not be treated because doctors around here are unwilling to treat me. I am a strong willed, minded person but honestly don't think I would be able to deal with it well.

I am healing and taking my meds but want to really let it be known that even if a doctor or surgeon says they will help you after going out of the US to have surgery, be cautious and maybe even if possible get it in writing. I called the same clinic before looking into having wls in Mx and was told, they would see me but that was obviously a lie. They even know me because I had several surgeries over the years done by them but that didn't matter. In the end I feel it boiled down to a discrimination of sorts.

Needless to say, they are the only wls professionals in my area but I am now looking for a specialist wiling to take me on outside the area. I just pray no one else has the problem I had and also hope I don't have anymore.

[KellyL 173]

I am sorry you had to go through that, those people suck!! I am sure that caused you a lot of unnecessary anxiety. I am glad you were finally treated. I thought it was illegal for them to refuse to treat you at ER. It does concern me because I am going to Mexico too. I hope you feel better soon!!

Kelly

[Ms Lady in NC 1]

Thanks, anxiety, depression, and all! But thankfully God was with me thru it all.

[Becca 108]

I am so sorry. I totally understand because I had my lapband in Mexico. When I started having complications, everyone treated me horribly. Luckily, my insurance took off the WLS exclusion. I had about ten doctors practically hang up on me before I finally found one who would revise my band to the sleeve. Just the mention of Mexico and they would end the conversation. I hope you can find a doctor in your area. I pray things get better for you. You should not have had to deal with any of that. I am so glad you stood up for yourself. You are a superwoman!!!

[samantha209 19]

sorry to hear that.... Take it easy girl. Get well soon!

[Ms Lady in NC 1]

I am so sorry. I totally understand because I had my lapband in Mexico. When I started having complications, everyone treated me horribly. Luckily, my insurance took off the WLS exclusion. I had about ten doctors practically hang up on me before I finally found one who would revise my band to the sleeve. Just the mention of Mexico and they would end the conversation. I hope you can find a doctor in your area. I pray things get better for you. You should not have had to deal with any of that. I am so glad you stood up for yourself. You are a superwoman!!!

And so are you to not have given up your fight for a revision! I think we all are stronger than most to be willing to make a change like we have and try to better ourselves and health

[fatBgone 6]

Ugh what an ordeal, sorry you had to endure that! You mention that your incision was just a little red? What made you think it was infected?

[Ms Lady in NC 1]

Ugh what an ordeal, sorry you had to endure that! You mention that your incision was just a little red? What made you think it was infected?

I have had 4 prior abdominal surgeries and the incision looked and felt similar to the other 2 times it was infected. It was hot to touch, red, and more sensitive to touch than the others. I had to have one opened and packed to heal from inside out and did not want to go through that pain again so I went to the ER after calling my general doctor on-call and him telling me to go to the ER to check it out.

[sarahh1828 4]

It IS ILLEGAL for them to refuse to treat at any ER. If you want, you can report them. If you remember the nurses you can report them to your state nursing board, as well as the doctors. There is also a reporting agency for hospitals and doctors.

I'm really sorry that they treated you that way. Keep your head up.

[Beadingnurse 116]

It is absolutely illegal for them to refuse to treat you. I'd get a copy of my ER report, write down the name of the nurses & docs who were involved in your care. If you can't decipher their names from signatures (likely) call the ER Director & or ER Charge nurse and ask for the correct spelling of names. If they refuse, call back & ask to speak to someone in Risk Management...go through human resources if you have to but get the names. It is perfectly fine to tell whoever you talk to that you need to report an "incident" to the licensing boards for the doctors and nurses involved. Honestly, I wouldn't even get into a discussion of what happened and what your grievance is. Then, make a call to Board of Nurses and Board of physicians and make a complaint. It won't take you long at all.

THEN....call the Joint Commision for Accreditation in Health Care and report the Hospital. Trust me, there will be investigations done and care policies will likely change because take the time to this! Investigations and enforcement of licensing violations is what I do for a living and I am so sorry you had to go through this but you can make the path easier for those who follow. I am happy to locate the phone numbers for you if you want....just private msg me.

I also don't think anything YOU did caused your infection. Good luck!

[Jen Jen 6]

I am so sorry you had to go through that. Thank goodness for hubbies. I hope by now you are doing better.

It has been a tough road, but we are survivors and whatever it takes, we will succeed. I know it's hard to relax, but you do need more rest. I know it has done me a world of good.

It is my fault for being superwoman and not resting once I got back home I know. But in my defense, I did not do it intentionally. There is a lot on my plate right now and I had to handle business. But for the last 2 days I have been taking it easy. Not only because I do not want to get sicker but mainly because of the lack of compassioate care around here. I really refuse to go to the ER again unless I have to and the only surgery group that handles wls is even more anal than the hospital.

I woke up Thur nite with a slight fever and some redness to the middle scar on my stomach which was also the one they pulled my stomach thru. Told hubby and then headed to ER. The check-in nurse immediately asked my problem and I told her. She then proceeded to ask me "Well why did you come here after having surgery in Mx?" I stated because the stitches were irritated. She then stated how that's why the economy is messed up now fromm us giving everyone else business. I didn't give her a rebuttal and followed her to my room. The doctor came in and with a very similar attitude, began to tell me how instead of me having a problem with a stitch, I likely had a problem with my surgery and would likely have major complications for going to Mx and getting it done. She then ordered an Xray and eventhough they came back normal, she insisted it was my sleeve and not my stitches, so she ordered another set of very in depth Xrays again. After they came back normal, I asked her if she would at least look at my stictches and she began pressing around my stomach saying how I must have some type of leak and asked if it hurt at all when she pushed down? Finally, I took the gauze off the area myself and said this is the only problem and she looked at me as if I were crazy. Left out the room but sending in a tech to ask for a urine sample. By this time which was 3 hours later, I was irritated and refused and she said she needed to at least get my vitals standing, sitting, and lying down. WTF? I did that and was ready to walk out when the doctor returned with a purple marker and said the surgeon on the floor told her to mark the inflammed area and to refer me to the surgery clinic tomorrow, told me I could keep the pen she used to draw on my belly, and walked out. I was in tears by then. A few mins later, a male nurse came in with 3 pills telling me they were antibiotics and pain meds. I told him I could not take such large capsules and he claimed I was exagerrating. I tool the antibiotic but told him I was driving and refused the pain meds. Immediately I was in pain and tears and was just ready to get away from there. I had no bandage to cover the incision and when I asked them to cover it, they said it was not procedure to work on Mexican mistakes. They dicharged me with having Cellulitis and let me sign myself out.

I went to bed after finally getting the pill up and out a hour later. Woke up Fri and was glad I covered it myself because it was soaked and seeping so hubby rushed me back and darn near cursed everyone he came in contact with at the hospital. He told them how he had called the so called "surgery clinic" and was told they couldn't see me because I had my surgery in Mexico instead of there. He stood face to face with the doctor and said they were gonna treat me right hten or else he was gonna bring in reporters and file complaints with several people. In less than an hour I had an ultrasound to see how deep my infection was and luckily it was only beginning and did not need to be opened in their opinion. They gave me liquid pain and antibiotics and ordered me to take it easy with bedrest for the weekend. They even volunteered to admit me if I wished but that came after my personal doctor got hubby's msg of how I was treated. I told them I would be fine to leave and thanked them and left.

I know that was a lot to read but I feel the need to vent a bit. I am used to racism, sexism, and even size discrimination. But it really pisses me off that some that can heal refuse to help anyone in need unless they fit their description of who should be helped. My personal doc is supportive and even praised me for doing what I did to try to save my life. When he saw me after I got back he was amazed at how my blood pressure had been normal since the day of surgery. I am so thankful I have him in my corner but am real worried about the future and if I have another issue or an emergency that will not be treated because doctors around here are unwilling to treat me. I am a strong willed, minded person but honestly don't think I would be able to deal with it well.

I am healing and taking my meds but want to really let it be known that even if a doctor or surgeon says they will help you after going out of the US to have surgery, be cautious and maybe even if possible get it in writing. I called the same clinic before looking into having wls in Mx and was told, they would see me but that was obviously a lie. They even know me because I had several surgeries over the years done by them but that didn't matter. In the end I feel it boiled down to a discrimination of sorts.

Needless to say, they are the only wls professionals in my area but I am now looking for a specialist wiling to take me on outside the area. I just pray no one else has the problem I had and also hope I don't have anymore.

[swizzly 901]

Oh man that story pisses me off. I would be absolutely beside myself. Perhaps you should just adopt a policy of lying and just say you got surgery "out of state." I can't believe you'd get treated like that, I am enraged on your behalf.

I really hope your wound heals nicely and quickly now.

[Beadingnurse 116]

Oh man that story pisses me off. I would be absolutely beside myself. Perhaps you should just adopt a policy of lying and just say you got surgery "out of state." I can't believe you'd get treated like that, I am enraged on your behalf.

I really hope your wound heals nicely and quickly now.

You know Swizzly...I was thinking the same thing! No one should have to lie to get medical treatment and if you are VERY knowledgeable about your rights you might be able to get them to back down...but who wants to do that when they are hurting, scared or feel like crap. :angry_smile: If you felt up to doing battle with them, would you BE in the ER? I don't think so. :censored:

I had my surgery done where I live so it won't affect me but anyone facing this might think about saying something like you suggested...out of state...wanted to be closer to mother, brother, dog...whatever. If questioned further insist you are too ill to go into details :crutch: but will have your family bring in full surgical history soon (right!)

[Infernored 5]

This is a horrible story! I know in my area, I think it is illegal for a hospital professional to even suggest you should have gone somewhere else for care. It's part of the COBRA laws where we treat everyone and can't discriminate for any reason. I hope you are feeling better. :/

[BlackBerryJuice 349]

Wow, what a terrible experience! I'm sorry you had to go through that. I don't think they realize that if they weren't providing overpriced shit "care," people wouldn't be going to Mexico. I'm glad you stood up for yourself, and your husband helped you out in that. I had a spat with a family doctor at this walk-in student clinic I see over my surgery (she didn't refuse to treat me, but passed ALL kinds of uncalled-for judgments), and I immediately filed a written complaint. They need to know that you are not to be messed around with! I know for sure that if I ever have a problem with my sleeve and have to go to the ER, I'm 1) bringing another person with me (potential witness) 2) turning on the recorder on my iPhone the second that a nurse or doctor walk into my room, because if there's any more BS along those lines, I'm AT LEAST taking it to the College of Physicians & Surgeons or the College of RNs, if not to court. These people don't learn anything until they get a talking-to from a superior or a licensing body!