My 1-week update

Well, it's been 1 week since I put Henrietta to rest (hernia repair), and had a panniculectomy. I saw my WLS yesterday. I had a slight fever, 101.3 & 100.3, there was a little redness around Betsy and they took a culture, but the PA said he would think that was just fungal, because guess what?? She was packed!!! Never in the hospital had any nurse changed packing in my bellybutton, nor mentioned to us that it needed changed, as a matter of fact the steriostrips were over it so you could see. Thank goodness I saw this surgeon so soon after being released and she checked over everything. My hemagloblin and iron were low, so today I have to go have an Iron infusion. My 3 drains are still filling steadily. I take my pain medicine on a regular basis. While I can move around better, turn on my side, etc. It seems like the sensation is also coming back so I feel the muscle tighening a lot more and need to medication, especially when going out like yesterday, I wound up laying in the doctors office for over and hour. If the doctor asked while her staff didn't have my chart ready for her to see me, but they were trying to figure out why was sent home from the hospital on a stage 2 diet. Well, no one thinks. The surgeon's standard post-op protocol is stage 2 diet....for bariatric patients. Good thing I think on my own and I ate what I could, just know to get in a lot of protein, I tried to make it soft not knowing if the hernia repair warrented something special. I weighed exactly what I weighed at my pre-op appointment, which is fine. My legs are so swollen right now, I could barely get my compression garments on. I still can't reach behind me, I think I could better, but the left drain causes sharp buring pain in my thigh, so my mom has to help me in the shower and using the bathroom. The binder won't stay down, I fine it over my boobs and under my armpits sometimes. I tried the tank under it and it just gave it more slick surface to move. The shoelaces to put your drains on in the shower work great. Sarah Margaret

sarah!! great update... how are you feeling besides the pain? i agree on the pain meds... still need them...so tell me the shoe lace trick...

Alexa, Drape long shoelaces around your neck & pin drains to it while showering. OR loosely tie shoelaces around your waist and pin drains to it if pinning to binder doesn't work for you. Vickie J.

Sarah, Sounds like you're pretty much on track. Hang in there - it does get better! Hugs! Vickie J.

Sarah wishing you a speedy recovery. It will soon be another memory in this journey. Hope you feel better soon. ~Ginny