Update on Myself - 50 days Post-Op.

Here is the current update: I'm feeling fine but just above my first incision hole another inflamed area has been openned and probed by Dr. Rehnke. Yes it did hurt while he was probing but i was thinking of you which made the pain drift away. But the hole got drained and then bandaged it up and send home once again with a script this time for a G.C.P. Solution - an Antibiotic, (which is made & filled at only one Pharmacy in Pinellas County- what a racket. They don't take any insurance either.) Costing $74.00 for 250 cc. I have one refill too. The Home Care Nurse then after cleaning both wounds out. Soak another gauze pad in the GCP Solution. This piece of gauze is then pushed into the tubular hole in the surface hole. Everything is then bandaged over till the next day. When it's all repeated again. When I asked how long before it's all healed. Dr. Rehnke predicts at least another month. And of course no work either or exercising. But I'm still positive and thinking I may go talk to my pysch before I do get really depressed. So please keep me in your prayers & good thought too. Soon I'd be healed. Good news though when I weighed in Monday I was 500.2. I'm down 60lbs. since surgery and 100lbs. since last Christmas. I'm hope to show a big difference by my Grandfather's 90th Birthday in late July Mike

Hey Mike! So sorry to hear that you have a new tract. Are they actually packing the wound or just putting a piece of guaze through one of the tracts and out the other? I'm thinking maybe actually packing might be best if they aren't doing that. Happy for you on your success with the weight loss. Keep up the good work! I've used a ton of that GCP stuff over the years. I'm guessing that you have to use a compounding pharmacy to make the stuff. If it is any consolation to you most compounders do not accept insurance even medicaid or medicare. Why? Because they actually have real people back there weighing and measuring to make this stuff up instead of pouring pills from a big bottle to a small bottle or adding a little water to a prepackaged powder. The reimbursement from most insurance plans isn't enough to cover the cost of the pharmacists that it requires to do special compounding. It stinks! I know! I have two little grandsons who have to take steroids in an oil solution three times a day and their meds have to be specially made by a compounding pharmacy. Same deal. NO INSURANCE ACCEPTED! And the reason I just wrote is the explanation they gave my daughter. It makes sense though. Anyway Good Luck to you Mike! I pray you will heal quickly now and be healthy and happy to celebrate your Grandfathers Birthday! Take care! Kat

Hi Mike! Sorry to hear that you're still having a rough time with those infections and the healing process is taking a while!! Just hang in there, just a small bump in the road to a healthier and happier you!! Congratulations on the terrific weight loss!! 100lbs totally amazing!! I can't wait to say I'm down 100lbs!! I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers!! Keep us posted on your progress!! Jo Ann

Thank you Kathy & Jo Ann for your caring. Jo Ann, I just read your OH Profile and I'm sorry for your complications. But welcome to Meltsville as a Rouxer. I have a friend flying from Tampa to the WISH Center in San Antonio, Texas to receive the VANGUARD Lap Banding. And I'm going to have her read your profile today. If she has any question, may she Email you? We have not been able to find out any info on the Vanguard. Like who manufactures it. And I've been very concerned she is not going to have a good experience with the Lap Band schedule & fills. As she hasn't followed the schedule routine with her Diabetes. Thank you, Mike

Mike, I would be more than happy to talk to your friend. I had the vanguard band myself and also have diabetes. The band is a great tool, but it's also has it's downpoints!! I know I need to update my profile, which I probably will do either today or tomorrow, I'm horrible at keeping up with that!! LOL!! But definitley send her my way if she has any questions. I can give you or her the info on the makers of the band. I originally went to the wish center here in florida about 2 years ago, they are pretty strict over there and if you don't comply with their before hand rules they will not operate on you. Anyway my e mail address is [email protected] Looking forward to hearing from you!! Jo Ann

Congrutulations on the great weight loss. You are doing wonderfully. I am sorry to hear that you are still having problems with your wound. I pray that the will heal soon. Keep up the good work.