Seromas and Strictures and Bears, Oh My!!!

Okay, I'm going to whine, so if you don't want to hear, exit now. I didn't complain when I developed a seroma last week and had to have my incision opened one and a half inches, and drained. And now I have to pack the wound twice a day with gauze. I didn't complain when I deleloped a stricture Sunday night and had to go to the hospital ER cause I couldn't even keep spit down. I had an endoscopy on Tuesday, which seems to have helped. But I am going to complain now. They gave me an IV in my left elbow that hurt the entire time it was in. They were giving me IV potassium, since I was low from all of the vomitting. But when the IV infiltrated they didn't take it out right away. I had to beg them to remove it and start another one. They left it in for several hours after it started leaking. I didn't know at the time there was potassium in the IV, nor did I know how damaging it is to the surrounding tissues, but the nursing staff should have known. My arm is swollen from the elbow to above the shoulder. It is hot and painful. I am going to my PCP tomorrow to see how bad the damage is. I am angry this happened, and I am in pain. I am worried there could be long term damage to my arm from the chemical burns potassium can cause. The pain is increasing over time, and I can handle it only through going back on the Lortab and putting ice compresses on the elbow. I knew there was a possibility of a seroma, and a stricture, but the painful arm has been a depressing surprise. Sorry to whine so much, but I have been at the doctor's office at least once a week since my surgery. Thanks for listening, Debra M.

Hi Debra - I am so sorry you have been through such a difficult time!! Can only say "hang in there" you are doing so well and have had such a great attitude to the obstacles you have faced so far. In a few months I hope it will be a distant memory and your happiness about your weight loss will be the predominant feeling! I hope your medical team will look after you - and don't be backwards in coming forwards if you are in pain - you deserve to be treated well! You are in my thoughts and prayers anyway (for what it's worth Take care.. Wendy

Hi Debra, I empathize with you. I to had a difficult time with ifiltration of the IV's. I was in the hospital for 8 days and had to have 6 seperate IV starts because every site became infiltrated. I to had to beg by the 7th day to just be taken off everything. Unlike most people who leave the hospital having lost weight after 8 days of surgery I had gained 2 lbs. My arms were extremely swollen from my hands all the way up my arms. My skin was stretched so tight it hurt. Now 3 weeks later the bruises are disappearing and the swelling is gone. I won't lie and say they aren't still tender in some places, but all that will pass with time. I do believe your doing the right thing by going to your PCP. Good luck! It's okay to vent, its healthy. Sabrina

Thank you for your comments. I went to my PCP today and unfortunately there's nothing to be done but wait for the swelling to go away, and pray there is no tissue damage. I would advise all of you whenever you get an IV to be sure to ask what it in it. I assumed the IV solution was a plain saline or Lactated Ringer's solution, when instead it contained potassium. From the research I've done on the internet, there are many drugs that are put in IV's that can cause serious damage to your tissues if they infiltrate. I should have asked more questions, and next time I will. Ice packs and Lortab ease the pain, and today the arm is no worse than yesterday. I have to watch for signs of infection or tissue breakdown. I am going to be starting a new job this week, my first time back to work after having my last daughter 17 years ago!!! I am hoping my arm is better by next Thursday. I will be working in a retail store three days a week, and the owner is a real sweetheart and a good friend, so if I'm not at 100%, I think she'll understand. I just want to be able to do a good job. Thank you all for listening, Debra M.

I hope that the ice packs help and the swelling finally goes down! I can't believe they did that to you! Did you complain to the hospital? They should be able to figure out who your nurses were by when and where you were at in the hospital. Any idea how long it might take before you'll know if there is damage? Congrats on the new job!! Good luck and I hope it goes well!