Itchy, bruised belly - 6 days postop

[HilaryInRC 116]

I had my band removed and a conversion to RNY on June 9th. So, I'm about 6 days post-op. Since my drain came out two days ago, my belly has developed huge bruised Patches around the belly button that are sensitive and itchy. Is this normal - like maybe where the Fluid is going now? Should I try using an ice-pack on it? I think I am also more swollen now, which my doctor tells me is normal.

Thank you!

[terry1118 1,274]

Two days post op I had severe bruising on my lower belly (which is normal with any type of surgery - I had severe bruising after my shoulder surgery, too). I developed a rash that started initially on the bruised area but then spread to my entire belly, back, upper arms, and thighs. It was terribly itchy and I was miserable! I saw the PA twice and each time was given different prescriptions that didn't work. Then the surgeon looked at it and gave me another prescription that didn't work. When that didn't help they decided it was possibly an allergic reaction to something surgery related but didn't know what so they sent me to a dermatologist who gave me two more prescriptions that also didn't work. What finally gave me some relief was simple Benedryl cream from Walmart (the generic version is available too. I also took Children's Benedryl liquid. It just had to run it's course and lasted about 2 1/2 weeks.

Definitely consult your surgical team - it's possible if you have a rash that it could be caused by a more serious infection (it's what my surgeon told me). They will want to rule that out first because that is treated differently. Good luck to you! :-)

[terry1118 1,274]

Sorry, I just reread what you wrote and saw you did talk to your doctor. Keep them informed if it worsens and ask if you can use Benedryl cream for itch. :-)

[Chelly 364]

Ice pack usually helps with swelling.

I would contact your surgeon and ask if you could take liquid Benadryl for the itching or use a topical Benadryl for the itching.

Feel better.

[Amyllf2 206]

My brusing was so bad it took 6 weeks to go away.

[AshleePage 65]

Hope you feel better soon!

[HilaryInRC 116]

Today is day 10 post-op. My bruising is going down a tiny bit now, but I still often get moments where my belly starts itching like crazy. I have tried hydrocortisone, argan oil, lotion etc and none of it is helping. However, an icepack on my bells takes the itching away. I'm not sure why the skin on my belly is so itchy! Otherwise, I'm doing great. This surgery seems way easier to recover from than when I had my band placed. So happy. :-)

Edited June 19, 2014 by HilaryInRC

[weightlossdiva1234 13]

I had itching like crazy too. The dr's office told me it was from the tape used to keep the gauze on. They removed it all and I put tripple antibiotic ointment on it, and the redness and itching went away too.

[sectrusts 26]

I just had surgery 4 days ago and I am already itchy. I figured it was just from were the skin is healing. But thanks to this post I know that I need to keep an eye on it to be sure it isn't anything else. Hope it heals soon for you.

[KristinaRnY 455]

Maybe I'm lucky but I had RnY march 24th and didn't have any bruising or itching. Hope you feel better soon

[Cupcake 801]

<p>Today is day 10 post-op. My bruising is going down a tiny bit now, but I still often get moments where my belly starts itching like crazy. I have tried hydrocortisone, argan oil, lotion etc and none of it is helping. However, an icepack on my bells takes the itching away. I'm not sure why the skin on my belly is so itchy! Otherwise, I'm doing great. This surgery seems way easier to recover from than when I had my band placed. So happy. :-)</p>

Hi I use bio oil and it work wonders you can see. My incisions sites hardly it did great for scars and itching good luck.