help?

I had an open RNY and had to take pain meds for the first month. It became less and less as time went by but I was surprised, too, at how long I needed the pain pills. As far as the site feeling hard, swollen and numb, this is normal. It too will improve over time. I used a lot of lotion and cocoa butter to soften up the scar area. Jus****ch for any redness, inflamation, or thick, pus-like drainage from the incision area. Then call your dr. immediately, you might have an infection. But right now, it doesn't sound like it. Take it easy on your body, you had major surgery. Give yourself a rest. A binder is a good idea, too. When I was about 3-4 weeks out, I had a seroma of the wound. A seroma is a large quantity of bloody looking fluid that drains from the incision site. A portion of the wound where the drainage occurs may separate or open up. Luckily the surgeon had told me about this possibly happening, so I didn't panic. There is no pain associated with it, just alot, and I mean alot, of drainage. My surgeon suggested just using a Kotex pad to absorb the drainage. It only lasted a day or so and relieved a lot of the pressure I had been feeling. The opening in the incision was very tiny, about the size of the tip of a pen. I sure was glad my surgeon had warned me or I would have really freaked. Anyway, now that I've got you really scared, it sounds like your doing fine. The first couple of months can be tough but they will pass and you will start feeling great. I feel so good now, I can hardly believe it. Nancy

Konni, for the first few days I was taking my liquid Vicodan every 4 hours, too. Please don't guage your pain by anyone else, I did that, and figured I must be a big weenie, but let's face it, we don't tolerate pain the same, and we don't heal the same. And for 2 weeks, my gas was like a toxic waste dump. Give the people at Barix a call, that's what they're there for, and they'll tell you, they WANT you to call if you're having a lot of pain. Terry

Konni, I agree with everyone else. If your pain is so extreme you can't stand it, you definately need to call the hospital... heck I have them on speed dial. The third day I was in the hospital my gas pains were so bad I thought I was dying! It's hard but you will get through this! Just keep taking that pain medication and visualize yourself thin! Good Luck! Brooke

Hi Konnie, Were u open? I was and I have worn my binder faithfully it does help. I took my pain meds almost every 4 hours but kept on a similiar schedule as at the hospital...up every 3 hours walk walk walk drink 3 oz or h2o and juice take pain meds do breathing excersizes. I am swollen some and experience more pain without the binder even though its off only a short time. i only use my pain meds at night and once in the middle of the day when my activity catches up with me. I have also started the 6 meal thing following their examples but eating till i feel i have had enough. i am pushing the fluids also as much as i can tolerate. My gas and stools very loose and noisey until yesterday when i started passing gas without sitting on toliet. I am not getting hiccups but burping ALOT and that was painful almost like learning how all over again. Are u taking your pepcid 2 times daily? I hope this helps compare a bit i hope u feel better but if u want reassurance call the nurses or doctor and find out. Best wishes...Tammie

Thanks everyone for all your help. I am following docs orders and doing everything I need to be in order to help the healing processess so lets just hope this pain move on soon. The gas IS AWFUL but I'm doing what you all suggested and keeping the fluids going in and walking walking walking! I will write more soon...hope everyone else is doing well! ~hugs~ Konni