Open wound frustration

[AWholeNewMama 34]

I'm 10 days post-op RNY. Wondering if anyone else's surgeon does an open wound as part of the standard procedure. Mine does, and it's absolutely miserable. I have 6 incisions. 5 are closed with steri-strips, and the 6th is open (surgeon says this is to reduce infection). It's been really painful. On Wednesday I had my 1-week post-op visit, and the surgeon cleaned and vacuumed the wound. It was one of the worst pains I've ever experienced, and I still haven't gotten back to where I was before the visit. My whole left side aches horribly. I was so upset after the visit, I couldn't even tell my husband about it until a few hours afterward. And I feel like I spent a week recovering only to be knocked back to Day 1. I'm so frustrated.

Has anyone else dealt with an open wound like this? How did you get through it?

[amylynns 802]

I did not have an open incision, but I went home with a drain in one of them. I had to wear it for a week. When they pulled it out, it was the most horrific pain I've ever experienced. I'd rather have all 4 of my kids with no pain meds than have that thing pulled out again! Then I ended up getting an infection in another incision. A round of antibiotics took care of it good though.

My whole right side where the drain was, was VERY painful, especially the week it was in.

I hope you get feeling better soon!! Keep an eye out for any infection symptoms. Take your pain meds and stay hydrated! Keeping hydrated will help with the pain too.

[sundiate2 2]

I had an abscess in one incision. Drained constantly was so painful I had to hold my breast on the left side up every time it walked. Constantly had to change bandages and bed sheets when the Fluid leaked through the bandage. Took about 3 weeks before I felt semi normal and about 5 before I felt like me again. All the other incisions were fine. It was on my left side and very painful. Antibiotics and pain meds, warm compress and when I had to go out, I wore that thing they give you to wrap around your abdomen and a body shaper.

[momfromjersey22 403]

I did not have an open incision, but I went home with a drain in one of them. I had to wear it for a week. When they pulled it out, it was the most horrific pain I've ever experienced. I'd rather have all 4 of my kids with no pain meds than have that thing pulled out again! Then I ended up getting an infection in another incision. A round of antibiotics took care of it good though.

My whole right side where the drain was, was VERY painful, especially the week it was in.

I hope you get feeling better soon!! Keep an eye out for any infection symptoms. Take your pain meds and stay hydrated! Keeping hydrated will help with the pain too.

same here, I had a drain I'n the hospital and when they took it out, omg, thought I was gonna die.

[AWholeNewMama 34]

My drain was taken out the day after my surgery, thank goodness. At least I'm not dealing with that right now, too. That was NOT a fun procedure, for sure.

[armywife79 123]

I had the same horrid drain experience as other people here, I have heard of the open wound option in very large patients but, your starting BMI wasn't very high? I'm sure he has a reason but, it sounds painful. Just hang in there, the first six months is really tough for all of us. I caught C-diff in the hospital that I just got over! We all have some war story but, in the end, we get through it and are stronger and healthier on the other side!

[AWholeNewMama 34]

I had the same horrid drain experience as other people here, I have heard of the open wound option in very large patients but, your starting BMI wasn't very high? I'm sure he has a reason but, it sounds painful. Just hang in there, the first six months is really tough for all of us. I caught C-diff in the hospital that I just got over! We all have some war story but, in the end, we get through it and are stronger and healthier on the other side!

Yes, my BMI was 43 to start. My surgeon does the open wound standard on all laparoscopic gastric bypass patients (sleeve patients and patients who get RNY done with the DaVinci robot don't get it). He's done over 3,000 surgeries at this point, so if he truly believes it decreases risk of infection, I believe him. Doesn't make it suck any less though. :/

Thanks for the input, everyone!

[going2servive 36]

I had a drain for 2 weeks and felt a little tickle when it was removed. Had no pain whats so ever. I do wonder why some have had pain when theirs was removed.