Incision Taking Time to Heal - Fill Risk

[Luscious 1]

My port incision has a small area on the left side that got a bit infected, and its taking its time healing fully. I finished a course of antibiotics and it got a little better, but still needs some more time. Doc has warned me he won't do my first fill next Tuesday if its not 100% - I totally understand that position, but my problem is I have to go overseas for work for a little while end of May, which means I would not be able to get my fill until I return 20th June, and those who have travelled to the US will understand that the food readily available when doing the hotel thing is not exactly healthy and in small portions.

I am coping ok NOW, but I'm not too thrilled about having to wait 7 more weeks till my first fill. Please keep your fingers crossed for me next Tuesday.

[batkitty 0]

My port incision has a small area on the left side that got a bit infected, and its taking its time healing fully. I finished a course of antibiotics and it got a little better, but still needs some more time. Doc has warned me he won't do my first fill next Tuesday if its not 100% - I totally understand that position, but my problem is I have to go overseas for work for a little while end of May, which means I would not be able to get my fill until I return 20th June, and those who have travelled to the US will understand that the food readily available when doing the hotel thing is not exactly healthy and in small portions.

I am coping ok NOW, but I'm not too thrilled about having to wait 7 more weeks till my first fill. Please keep your fingers crossed for me next Tuesday.

I know the feeling, I missed out on my first fill from infection, have my official first fill monday via x-ray, stay calm and positive you will get through it :smile2:

And well look forward to Soup, Chilli and oatmeal in the states. Although I do know that alot of hotels Ihave stayed at in the past have been VERY accomodating in cooking me something special (this was diet time all pre band)

good luck

[Luscious 1]

Thanks Batkitty... I know you have had to be patient also.

You are right, hotels (and most restaurants) in the US are kink of used to special requests. I should not be afraid to ask for doggie bags also and take half of everything into the office next day for lunch :-)

By the way - I went to see dietician yesterday and can move early onto soft foods - only one more week until I can have my cottage cheese and tuna on a cruskit.

[aquasky13 0]

i was worried about getting a fill after my op but my scars arnt where my port is. so not sure if every one is the same.

[Luscious 1]

Went to the doc today for my first fill... he tried hard (twice) but was not able to do the fill due to hard tissue from my incision :-(

I have another appointment in 2 weeks in the hope the site will calm down.

I am going to have to apply some serious willpower over the next couple of weeks.

[batkitty 0]

Went to the doc today for my first fill... he tried hard (twice) but was not able to do the fill due to hard tissue from my incision :-(

I have another appointment in 2 weeks in the hope the site will calm down.

I am going to have to apply some serious willpower over the next couple of weeks.

hey girl, hang in there.

how close to your incision is your port, mine is miles away (well it wouldn't help that it seems to be floating around by itself!)

Do you feel you can eat what you want?

[Luscious 1]

The multiple needle puncture wounds (:>) are almost exactly above my incision, so I am guessing that means my port is right under it.. I hope that doesn't lead to long term challenges.

I do feel like I could eat whatever I like. I don't want to test myself though - I've gotten used to a restricted diet, and will try and keep it that way (no bread, no sweets, or rubbish, etc).

[Luscious 1]

The area where my needle marks were left after my unsuccessful fill attempt last week started getting inflamed, and the infection flared up as angry as it looked 4 weeks ago. So I went to visit my local GP on the weekend and he immediately put me on another course of antibiotics, and need to go back and visit him next saturday so he can check progress.

I am getting seriously stressed about this wound - its been 5 weeks since my surgery, and it really doesn't seem to be getting any better. The infection is at the far left end of the incision, and is not very big, only about 1/4 inch around - but enough to be causing me grief. Hopefully these stronger antibiotics will help. Until I'm all healed up I can't get a fill - and the longer the incision is angry - the more scar tissue I'm going to have. I am seriously worried how this is going to impact my ability to get fills. My port is RIGHT under the incision scar :-( Sorry that my usually cheerful and positive outlook is a bit challenged at the moment.

I went to see one of the surgeons 2 weeks ago and showed him the wound - I asked for another course of antibiotics at that time, but he said it would heal itself up :-( I totally understand that they don't want to overdo antibiotics these days, but I think its so important to ensure this gets better.

Edited May 11, 2008 by Luscious

[kombimel 13]

Luscious,

do you put anything on the wound to help it heal? If its not very big, have you tried rubbing pawpaw ointment on it?

I had a wound that almost stopped me getting banded. I had a spot, looked like a pimple, an inch under my belly button. I went to my GP and he just said "Its an infected hair, it will go away." That was October. It oozed a little bit every day and after 4 months, I went back, got another referral to see my surgeon and my GP said let the surgeon have a look. So I turn up at the surgeon to get my lapband date, he looks at this spot, and says "That goes really deep. I am going to operate on that and have a look at what it is. See you for day surgery Monday (25 Feb)." This was Wednesday! So he goes in and finds a stitch sinus on mesh that had been put in for an umbilical hernia 7 or 8 years earlier. It had been infected for years and had finally worked its way to the surface.

So after a couple of days, this wound ruptures with a huge amount of Fluid gushing out - it was horrendous. I get put on antibiotics that made me vomit (Erythumicin or something) A couple of days later, the surgery site opens completly and I have this massive hole that looks like another belly button. I take myself off to the hospital and they put this awful bag thing over the hole - it looks a bit like a colostomy bag and it hangs off my stomach collecting the Fluid that is just constantly oozing out. I see the surgeon 2 days later and he packs it with seaweed dressing. I then have to have a community nurse come to my house every morning to pack it before I went to work. It was 6 cm deep! After 3 weeks of daily packing, all of a sudden, the wound closes as it had to heal from the inside up.

Very nervewracking because if it had not healed my surgery date would have been put back later than my original 7th May. Once it had scabbed over, I rubbed paw paw ointment on it. I find it heals burns and cuts so well. The red jar that you can get from both chemists and supermarkets is the best. Sorry if I have grossed anyone out, but our bodies can do some pretty amazing things. :tt1:

Mel