Drainage

I had unplannned open R-Y on 7/18 and am still draining. It is smelly, embarrassing, and irritating. I can't use tape or a binder due to allergies and there are not enought 4x4's in the world to trust to stay in place without the aforementioned. I am using streatchy bra top that I tighten at the bottom to hold a diaper over the incision which remains open at the bottom for drainage. The liquid stops, pools, and then explodes like a volcano. The doctor says this will abate further over the next few weeks and that I am doing fine. I am still on full liquids and have lost 15 pounds. I must return to a 12 hour shift on 8/12 and sure hope this stage is over. Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. It is just the management of the forementioned that has me perplexed. Best to everyone Jo

I HAVE THE SAME THING GOING ON EXCEPT MINE DOESNT SMELL , I HAVE DRAINAGE FROM THE BOOTOM BY MY BELLY BUTTON AND I USE AB PADS ABDOMIANL PADS AND NON ALLERGY PAPER TAPE IT WORKS AND IT DRAWS THE FLUID OUT , TRY THIS AND PUT LOTS OF 4X4 ON IT AND KEEP CLEAN

I do appreciate your response and hope you are healing and progressing. The smell is not too bad and I do keep it clean. I just don't like the length of time it is taking to recover and ammount of drainage. At times, it is 2-3 cups/24hours. I am almost one month PO and I am still draining and continue to use diapers, held on the abdomen by wearing a sports bra. Tape is out for me completely. No material is tolerable. I have many allergy problems and some of my physician friends think I am allergic to the internal stitches and that is causing the excessive drainage. I just want it to stop so I can put on regular clothes again and get my life back. I see the Doctor later today and will expect some answers. I have not been allowed to increase from full liquid and have only lost 22 pounds. I intend to request removal of the rest of the staples, a diet increase, and explanatioin for the continued drainage which he assurred me would be finished by now. I was extremely disappointed in the visit 2 weeks ago, receiving no support or options about the tape allergy which brought up huge bubbles, rash and then skin loss. In many ways, feel like they did the surgery and left me to drown. I didn't bargain for this much irritation, discomfort, annoyance, etc., etc. So I do intend to insist that he be up front with me at this point. I'll let you know what he says. Again, hope you are doing well. Take care and God Bless! Jo

mine is still draining too and can for months, you have had major surgery and takes time to heal and heal it will but it will take longer than you thinand yes be up front with your doctor for sure , but the drainage is normal as long as its not green good luck