I feel so alone.........

After a very bad stay in the hospital , I was getting along well . Today I am 2 weeks out . I woke up Tuesday morning and notice that my wound ( I had open gastric bypass ) look a little yellow in a spot I tryed to call me doctor after a  few hours I gave up and went to the ER.  Lucky I got right in and the Doctor said oh yes you need to be on some antibiotics but he needed to call my doctor and see what kind . ( I went from the St.louis metro area to Chicago for my surgery ) That was at 1:35 by 6pm I was beside myself .He also said that he has tryed calling all 6 numbers that we had and after 5 hrs they were gonna release me with 2 antibiotics . He said that I might try to find a Doctor a lil closer to follow my care . That I should try to get someoe in the office when the open again to make sure that I had the right
antibiotics . I called this morning and after being real real rude they put a RN on the phone who told me " take the antibiotics and keep the site clean and dry it will heal from the inside out . I also thought that the heat problems that I was having stop before I left UIC , but I found out in the ER that it had not my heart was still shipping beats ALOT . 

I might be a bit of a baby about this but now I have a hole in my belly where nasty stuff is draining from and its scary , add to that fact that my heart anit acting right and I am damn near in tears all the time ... I feel like my doctor just left me hanging , and I am all alone .. I tryed to call BJC ( this is 1 of the STL'S biggest hospital's) about being seen for post-op care .. Lady said no way and good luck finding someone ,most WL doctors wont see other WL doctors pations ..I trusted my doctor , now I feel out in the cold .. I have some many what if's going in my head . I am not sure if my belly should look like this or do I need to go back to the ER , I'm lost ....... 

My friend had a nasty incision infection...scared the hell out of her.  After being on antibiotics she got much better in about a week.  This was 10 months ago.  When she tells people about the surgery she COMPLETELY forgets the whole infection.  I'll remind her and she says "Oh yeah, I did have that huh?!".  My point is that this will soon pass and you, too, will forget it's part of your story.  I wish you the best and you have every right to be mad at your doctor's office. 

Cathy

Take a deep breath and regroup.  At two weeks out I was pretty "beside myself" too.  I think that is very normal for what we've been thru.  Did you see I said "we"?  You are not alone.  My hubs had his tummy tuck in February and several areas in the incision were weeping for quite a while.  It is true that it heals from the inside out.  So relax about that.  Also, I feel that my hubs got more personal attention 3 years ago than I am getting now.  I think bariatric surgery has become so popular that the surgeons are having a hard time keeping up with all the patients.  That, however, is no excuse.  But keep your next appointment with your surgeon and bring up your concerns.  Then between that appointment and your three month appointment you'll have time to research other doctors.  And who knows, maybe by then your crisis will be history and you'll feel better about your recovery.  Good luck to you!

Hi cheroity
I am sorry you are having trouble with an infection.  You won't see any change with the wound until you have been on the antibiotics a number of days, so I don't think going back to the ER will change anything re the infection.  The skipping heart beats, I don't know what could be causing that.  Did you talk to the nurse on the phone about this??

You will feel better soon.  The first weeks are difficult and I remember having huge buyers remorse myself.  It gets so much easier with time! 

Hi, Im 1 week post op and I have those same heartbeat skipping feelings...It is a scary feeling...I just chalk it up to my body realigning itself to my new insides...another new symptom I have is when I change the position of my head...I have really bad dizzy spells...this too is not normal for me and it only happens in bed...so Im going to take the wait and see approach...I hope your feeling better soon.  Take those antibiotics and call your doctor....Insist that you need to be seen...they know that no other doc will touch you after wls...tell them if you arent seen immediately, you plan to call your state medical examiner office and file a complaint...dont let them bowl you over okay...take care..Gina

I am so sorry!
Infections suck!
Hang in there... you aren't alone.

Hi,

I am kinda going thru the same thing with my incision.  Mine is from a tummy tuck though.  I have a hole too.  You do need to try to contact your doc about this.  You need to make sure you are taking care of it properly.  I was trying to keep it dry, when I saw my doc he said I was taking care of it wrong.  He too said it would heal from the inside out, but to keep it moistened and covered at all times.  Especially keep it moistened.  He said it would take about 1 month to heal up.  Mine is about the size of a dime.  You also need to know how to clean it.  You need to know these things.  I know it's frustrating, but stay on them.  Call constantly. 

Erica

Just curious - Why did you have an open procedure rather than lap?  You don't have to answer if that's too personal.

I hear you and I feel your pain.  My surgeon left me hanging too.  He turns his aftercare over to his poorly trained pa's.  My PCP has been doing my follow up care for the better part of 3 yrs now.  I still keep my surgeon's name under my avatar simply because of situations like yours. 

You would think if they got enough bad press they would change their motis operandi, but apparently not.  I now feel that the program that is is with is nothing more than a surgery mill.  Get 'em in... get 'em out.  More money for me.

I feel that it is shameful.

I hope you are feeling better soon.  In the meantime I would have a conversation with my PCP about him doing your followup care.  I would complain to the medical board and to your insurance company about how you have been treated.  They can't know what is going on if you don't.

Feel better soon.
Carlene

I hardly ever come to the main forum anymore but glad I did tonight.
I had open RNY and 12 other surgeries that were open.
The yellow color is not scary..that becomes a scary thing when the amount increases..or the color darkens and the surrounding areaa becomes red. Please do the floowing..clean it with salene soloution three times a daily add place clean gauze on it..and do not add any kind of over the counter anti creams on it. being open you are more suspectibale to infections. Just make sure that your incision stays clean... AND DO NOT PUT ANY KIND OF heat pad on there!
As for the surgicial office.. CALL BACKAND DEMAND TO SPEAK TO THE OFFICE manager and give her/ him hell..sounds like your surgeon is a factory...u can find another surgeon who will give you after care,...but remember this for 90 dyas after surgery that surgeon who did ya has to provide you with care at no cost..become and assertive woman and give them hell.

HUGS HUN!
I have had 16 infections so I know how you feel...if ya need me just jot me an email