Question for Open RNYers

I am going through the "leaking" stage. It started Wednesday night when I lost about a liter of clearish fluid. Continued Thursday - stopped Friday and Saturday and started back up this morning. Colors range from clear, to orangish - pretty runny to sticky/gooeyish. I am leaking quite a bit... We are going through a lot of towels/tissue and yes- maxi pads stuck to the inside of my shirt. For others out there who had open RNY, is this about the same as you experienced? When I talked to the nurses on Thursday, they were THRILLED I was leaking so much and said this was very good. I don't have redness nor am I hot to the touch around my incision. Brandee

Honestly Brandee I hardly leaked . Did you have a JP drain in? I had one drain while in the hospital and it came out before I came home.....even in that I hardly lost any fluid. My incision was glued together (no staples or stiches) so maybe that is why I didn't leak! I hope someone can help that has had this happen! In the mean time hopefully it stops/slows down for you to have time to wash your towels! Jennifer

Brandee; I had Open RNY and my drain came out the morning I was released. I NEVER had any drainage. Maybe you should call someone! I don't really know if that is normal but I would think not, but I'm no genius either! I had a TON of staples. No glue for me! Have a good weekend!

I did have a JP Drain in while in the hospital and that sucker was always being emptied. The first day it was nearly full and every day after that it was about 1/3 to 1/4 full. Apparently this is "normal" - no fever, no smell no redness... just leaking. I feel like a tapped maple... The JP came out the day I left for home. I see my PCP tomorrow and we'll see what he says. I don't feel weird - just tired of walking around with a towel hanging out of pants! One thing with this drainage is that it has totally taken away ALL the pressure I was feeling in my chest and stomach. To the point where after the first day of leaking I could actually get out of bed with out help AND bend over.

Brandee The most drainage I had was the first day of and overnight. I had a JP and it was removed the day I came home, even by the 2nd day I was only draining about 5cc's!!!! I had very little drainage once home. I had glue also no staples. The good thing is its not red or any foul odor.

Brandee, Your not alone....I'm keeping stayfree pads in business...lol...they keep saying this is a good way for the fat to excape the body. Its been like this for me since my staples where removed. I would have hoped it would be done by now but so far no! The one thing that grosses me out is cleaning it...ewwww..lol Good Luck Maria

Hi Brandee, I had leakage. It wasn't as bad with my wls as it was with my Tt. Since you have no drain in, its better that it seeps out than stay in and u have to have it drained by the dr. As long as theres no redness or foul odor it should be fine. I know the feeling of having the maxi pads on your incision, lol. I am pretty sure the dr will say pretty much the same about it seeping out VS staying in and needing to be drained. Take care DE

My good friend Carole who is a nurse explained that when you have a space the body fills it with fluid. Kinda like when I have a room full of people I fill it with gas. It's a natural defense but that sounds like a lot to me. As long as it stays clearish and doesn't stink you should be cool. My big question is are you still wearing your binder? It's not only to help hold yer innards in place should you have a sneeze or hiccup but it is also a compression garment. Keep the gauze and pads near and do watch for infection. They can put a drain back in if need be. And it didn't hurt when they did it cause he wacked me with an anesthetic. Keep an eye on it. kp

Hi Brandee. I know it sounds weird..but when I had a lot of leaking after my TT, I bought newborn disposable diapers and cut the elastic legs/band off and used it like a giant pad. It worked well covered a lot of area and held a lot of fluid. It's a cheap, sanitary fix. Just an suggestion. Good goin' girl! Diane

When my mom had an open draining wound, we used the depends undergarment with the elastic straps. We connected those buttons together all the way around her middle and it held the pad/diaper in place. It soaks up well too. Pam