Leaking

Ok another odd question. My dr. said normal just wondering if anyone else had this and how long it lasted. In the large incision for lap RNY dr said that I might leak well at my check up was sore she looked at it and felt it and said that it was very likely that I would leak. She told me to put ice on it for 20 min on and 20 off I did. The very next day I was just sitting and got up and noticed a wet spot on my shirt. Low and behold I was leaking, I called the dr and just to let her know so that she was aware. This was Friday of last week, all weekend since started leaking it was a little bit more sore and I am still leaking. Going through 2-3 4x4 gauze pads and issue is I can not use band aids because on my stomach I am allergic to the sticky stuff. Same thing with the tape for the gauze pad. So anyone have any suggestions? How long leaking will last and if there is any other tape that I can use for the 4x4? Help please belly really red from the sticky stuff!

Have someone run to Jewel or Walgreens and get paper tape. No more problems with the plastic stuff. I had Lapband, but I had a drain with heart surgery and it drained for almost a month. I hope this helps you

I got the cloth stuff but the paper stuff will work better huh! I hope that it is not a month!

I was going to suggest what Lisa did, the paper tape. The tape is fairly inexpensive. I found that it did not give me issues with the adhesive. I am really sensitive in that manner.  One thing to keep in mind is that once you take that tape off of your skin you cannot restick it. Many PO large patients will leak from their incision. Just keep an eye on it to make sure that it is not getting an infection below the surface. If it starts getting inflamed, red, hot then get on the horn and call the doc because you probably have some infection starting.  Chris

Hi Erin, I was a day behind you at the hospital!  After about a week or so I started to leak from the large incision on the upper left side as well.  It started slow with just some drops.  Then after a couple of days I thought the dam burst and was leaking a bunch when ever I bent down or if I rolled onto my left side when I was sleeping.  I asked Jean about this and like they told you, it's normal.  I would make a gauze pouch and leave the top open so the air could get to the wound.  I have been leak free for the last 3 days and the wound has healed.  You should be fine after a couple of days. I had trouble with the paper tape sticking and used the silk tape.  That stuff is one step below duct tape.  Ouch! My wife went 2 weeks after me for an RNY with the same Dr. and she started leaking least night in the same spot. Tom

Buy Tegraderm 4 X 4-3/4 pads (by Nexcare); cut in half and place 1-2" on either side of incision.  It looks like saran wrap once applied to skin; you can order at Walgreens or medical supply store.  Helped me with my problem.  I started leaking 2 weeks after surgery and it continued for 3 months; my doctor made small incision and had to pack twice a day (we referred to the problem area as 'pus tunnels' .  Good luck