I had Open Surgery

[JoannaG 0]

Hi Guys, I was banded on 8/5/08 and it ended up being open surgery rather than laposcopy. I was wondering if anyone knows how long the recovery might be and when you think that I might be able to return to work. It's already been over two weeks and I am still very sore. I haven't been able to do much, even sitting here at my computer is painful. Also, does anyone know what I can put on my scar so that it will heal. I'm still bleeding a little from it. Thanks for any and all advise.

[slim2be 0]

First, congrats on being banded but sorry to hear your surgery and recovery are not what was expected. I have been using Bio-oil and it's made a difference so far. I was banded July 2, 2008 so it's still pretty recent but I have noticed a difference since using the Bio-oil. When I went looking for scar stuff I came across many out there with varying prices but this was resonably priced ($7.99) and the pharmacist recommended it. I also checked out Maderma but it was $30.00 a tube and even the pharmacist didn't feel it was necessary to spend that amount of money. Good luck to you!

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Joanna, follow your surgeon's directions on when you can return to work. The literature I've read says up to 6 weeks; your doctor knows you and your health status way better than anyone here! AND if you are still oozing blood check with his office about an antibiotic to apply; I wouldn't use lotion to prevent scars unless/until he tells you it's ok!

Sorry you had to have open surgery but once you heal, you'll be ready to roll!

[Kat817 19]

If your incision is still bleeding, I would use a triple antibiotic ointment, or Neosporin, something to offset germs.

How big is the incision when they go in open that way? Is it up and down or across?

I just had a TT done a couple of months ago, and my incision was HUGE!!! I actually drained from the incision for almost a month--it was not infected (though we thought for awhile it was) at first it was what they called fat necrosis. The fat cells that had been damaged, and deprived of blood flow were dying, and they basically melt, and drain out! It is kind of light yellowy----no heat or redness involved. Then when I would not heal they thought I might have infection so the cultured it, and no infection was found. I discovered by total accident what the problem was, I had been using triple antibiotic cream on it as directed by the PS. Well I ran out, so used some Neosporin we had here, and by the next day it looked 10X better!! Come to find out, not only am I allergic to taking several antibiotics, I am also apparently allergic to rubbing them in my skin!!! Within days it healed!

Good Luck as you learn to live with your band!!

Kat

[Shamrockgirl60 1]

I didn't have open sugery and at the end of my second week, and finally feeling good enough to do stuff like cook dinner for the family go out shopping and walk more. I can't wait till I can ride my new adult trike. LOL Just do what the doctors say and you will feel better soon, most surgeries take 6 weeks to heal. Even the laprocopic ones.

Edited August 21, 2008 by Shamrockgirl60

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Kat I'm glad you brought up the allergy to antibiotic ointments...my sister is allergic to neosporin and has a dreadful scar where she broke her foot several years ago and used neosporin on the site (per her doc)

SO...if you are using an antibiotic and it doesn't help, try a different one!

So sorry you guys had to deal with all that!

[chic28 0]

If you're still bleeding from the incision it may not be completely healed yet. If that's the case don't put any type of scar treatment on yet. It could lead to infection. I was told this after I was banded but more importantly after I had a breast reduction a few months ago. Those scars are much much larger and my surgeon told me that under no circumstances was I to put any type of scar treatment cream on the incisions until they were completely healed. That took about 6 weeks.

[shannongetsslim 0]

Hey there,

Well I was also an open band surgery and I waited over a month to go back to work. It then took me another two weeks before I could work a full shift set. But by the end of it I was feeling great and had almost all my energy back. It was hard for me as well as the first month my doctor requires clear fluids and not much if anything else. So starting work and starting eating helped me heal and feel much better. I had a little opening at the base of my incision as it was where my weight pulled. Now over two and a half months later I am healed and feel great. By the way I am a nurse so my job was physically and mentally draining hence the slow start. But take it easy, you will know when your ready, It wasn't until my third week that I was able to do everything on my own, ie, getting up and down off things, in and out of the car, drive the car, ect ect. But I walked everyday! Good luck, and if your like me you felt like you were the only one in the world, but all I keep thinking is that at least I have this band and a new lease on life! Good luck!