RNY Post-Op Infection

[jacqui 0]

I had my surgery March 19, 2013 (Gastric Bypass) the largest of my 7 sites became infected less than a week post-op and I was not only with a high fever but in an excruciating amount of pain. I was and still am very shocked this happened and I have been receiving home care on a daily basis ever since the infection site was opened and drained - I now have an open wound that has to be cleaned and packed and dressed everyday. I'm sad that my recovery is not where it should be because of the infection. I have lost a total of 32lbs from March 4th - the first day of my Pre-op liquid diet. I am not able to exercise much or vigorously due to my open wound. I am still on the soft foods, Soups and smoothies with added Protein powders to meet my 64g protein daily requirement.

Is there anyone else out there going through or had an infection post op? I would like to have someone to talk to about it that knows how I feel.

Thanks ????

Jacqui

Pre-Surgery Weight: 317 lbs

1 month Post Op Weight: 286 lbs

[Nel 189]

I'm sorry. I hate seeing a post go unanswered. I didn't get an infection...but I did pull something inside. Horrible pain.

[pookybear 284]

Sorry you have to go through that! Your weight loss still isn't bad though considering you haven't been able to do much exercise.

[Edm852 47]

Jacqui, I too had an infection and had in home care. It does get better and your weight loss is great. Get better soon.

[kraney 219]

Hi. I had my rny on march 14. Although I did not have an infection in my incisions I did end up having an internal infection from leakage. I originally left the hospital on march 18. They had given me two blood transfusions because my white counts were so crazy. I think they thought that would take care of everything because initially I showed no leaks on my leak test. I ended back in the hospital exactly one week from my release date and then was admitted for 16 days. I am unable to do exercise except slow walking as i was sent home with a drain in my side. the drain was just removed yesterday. i as well am still on full liquids with a release to go to purée this weekend. I have been slowly moving myself along to purée already. Since I have technically been on liquids since march 15! It's driving me crazy :/ I hope everything starts to go better for you soon. I feel like I've fallen behind everyone else's progress who had a date around mine. I have finally come to terms with the fact that I had to put my health first and I will probably just move a little slower on this journey. I know I will get to my goal, but my body needs time to heal first. I wish you a speedy recovery. Feel free to intact me if you like. It sounds like we probably share some of the same feelings about what s going on, just different issues to deal with.

[amanda.rodriguez84 18]

Hi. I had my rny on march 14. Although I did not have an infection in my incisions I did end up having an internal infection from leakage. I originally left the hospital on march 18. They had given me two blood transfusions because my white counts were so crazy. I think they thought that would take care of everything because initially I showed no leaks on my leak test. I ended back in the hospital exactly one week from my release date and then was admitted for 16 days. I am unable to do exercise except slow walking as i was sent home with a drain in my side. the drain was just removed yesterday. i as well am still on full liquids with a release to go to purée this weekend. I have been slowly moving myself along to purée already. Since I have technically been on liquids since march 15! It's driving me crazy :/ I hope everything starts to go better for you soon. I feel like I've fallen behind everyone else's progress who had a date around mine. I have finally come to terms with the fact that I had to put my health first and I will probably just move a little slower on this journey. I know I will get to my goal' date=' but my body needs time to heal first. I wish you a speedy recovery. Feel free to intact me if you like. It sounds like we probably share some of the same feelings about what s going on, just different issues to deal with.[/quote']

How did they or you catch the internal leak?

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[kmarcelle 2]

Well I thought it was just me! I had mines 3/12. Everything was going good then when I was drinking it was causing me pain. I went to the doctor and found out my scar tissue was closing my stomach hole. I had to get surgery to remove the scar tissue but they had to cut me open. I got staples then it got infected and I too have a hole in my stomach and a nurse comes every day and changes my packing as well. Friday it will be a week since infection. I'm also having a hard time with Fluid intake / I'm not meeting the requirements. So your not alone at all. They say it gets better but ............

[amanda.rodriguez84 18]

I am itchy all over. It started in the hospital and they told me it was the morphine. I have had stomach itchy And just assume the healing sites. But spots in my stomach where I don't have incision itches to the point I have reddened skin. Now even legs itch. Off and on not 24/7

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[kiwiladydee 402]

I got a kidney infection and couldn't stomach any medication. I also had an allergic reaction from some medication and got the itches all over so they have to give me benedryl.

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[jacqui 0]

Jacqui' date=' I too had an infection and had in home care. It does get better and your weight loss is great. Get better soon.[/quote']

Are you from Edmonton? I'm in Leduc!

Thank you so much, really great to know it gets better in time. Sorry that you had to go through the same :-(

I appreciate the support :-)

[jacqui 0]

Hi. I had my rny on march 14. Although I did not have an infection in my incisions I did end up having an internal infection from leakage. I originally left the hospital on march 18. They had given me two blood transfusions because my white counts were so crazy. I think they thought that would take care of everything because initially I showed no leaks on my leak test. I ended back in the hospital exactly one week from my release date and then was admitted for 16 days. I am unable to do exercise except slow walking as i was sent home with a drain in my side. the drain was just removed yesterday. i as well am still on full liquids with a release to go to purée this weekend. I have been slowly moving myself along to purée already. Since I have technically been on liquids since march 15! It's driving me crazy :/ I hope everything starts to go better for you soon. I feel like I've fallen behind everyone else's progress who had a date around mine. I have finally come to terms with the fact that I had to put my health first and I will probably just move a little slower on this journey. I know I will get to my goal' date=' but my body needs time to heal first. I wish you a speedy recovery. Feel free to intact me if you like. It sounds like we probably share some of the same feelings about what s going on, just different issues to deal with.[/quote']

Wow, you have been through so much, you poor thing! That's such a long time to be in the hospital for and be on liquids for. If it helps any, I still find that liquids go down best and its a real chore to "eat" something, just not at all pleasure able like it was before, but I guess that's a good thing, just hard getting your head around all these changes.

You are right, we have to go at our own pace and try to forget where we should be and just concentrate on where we're at and our recovery. Thank you so much for sharing your story and the complications, I have felt very alone in all this and while I wish this had not happened to you or to anyone else, myself included, it is what it is and we just have to deal with the cards we are dealt and we will eventually get there with the others! Take care of yourself a nd crunch some ice so you can "chew" I find that really helpful myself.

[jacqui 0]

I am itchy all over. It started in the hospital and they told me it was the morphine. I have had stomach itchy And just assume the healing sites. But spots in my stomach where I don't have incision itches to the point I have reddened skin. Now even legs itch. Off and on not 24/7

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Hmmm, could it be an allergic reaction? Would definitely go see your surgeon about this right away if you haven't already. Hope it stops soon for you!

[jacqui 0]

I got a kidney infection and couldn't stomach any medication. I also had an allergic reaction from some medication and got the itches all over so they have to give me benedryl.

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Oh that's awful, I had kidney stones while pregnant - was terrible, so I feel your pain literally!

How did you deal with the pain with no meds? You're a trooper!!

[jacqui 0]

Well I thought it was just me! I had mines 3/12. Everything was going good then when I was drinking it was causing me pain. I went to the doctor and found out my scar tissue was closing my stomach hole. I had to get surgery to remove the scar tissue but they had to cut me open. I got staples then it got infected and I too have a hole in my stomach and a nurse comes every day and changes my packing as well. Friday it will be a week since infection. I'm also having a hard time with Fluid intake / I'm not meeting the requirements. So your not alone at all. They say it gets better but ............

I actually have a friend that this same thing happened to, about a year ago and she had to get the second operation for them to open up as it it was also from scar tissue - funny how no one in the medical field discusses any of these complications happening, certainly not the program I am part of. My friend is doing so great and is scheduled for her Tummy Tuck operation in June and she's very happy and healthy and very tiny now, she is full of energy and loving life, so hang in there, you've been through a lot, but things will start to get better now that you've had this 2nd op. so sorry you also got an infection! It's been 3 weeks since my infection and the site is still the same size/depth and it's so hard trying to be patient for it to heal, I just want to be whole again - no strange holes!! Lol, I can't wait to get the go ahead to exercise properly, then I hope the weight comes off much more quickly, as I'm hardly eating anything and should be dropping more weight than I am, frustrating!!!

You are not alone, nice that we have each other to complain to, lol!

Take care my dear!

[drucella22 31]

I am also having a hard time getting food to go down and stay down. Feel like the gerd is acting up again I get that burning in my throat with alot pf burping and I'm on protonix probably need more. Not meeting requirements for Water or Protein. I can't seem to eat enough food to get the Protein in. Can't stomach Protein Shots just about tolerating the shakes. All I know is going to be bald and worried at this point. This isn't easy.