Had enough of the leaking/drainage/pain/sleeplessness

So it's been 8 weeks now since my Abdominoplasty. It's been less than 1 week since I saw Dr. DiNick who said the leaking and drainage was normal. Last night, I totally destroyed a pair of jeans (well, oxyclean will help) with drainage and blood, even wearing 2 pieces of surgical dressing, and another pad of thick gauze. It leaked through about the size of a golf ball. I was so mad I just cried. I'm not sleeping anymore at night. I cannot get comfortable. My abdomen feels tight, and like no matter where I move, it hurts. I take tylenol PM and no help. I just lay in bed and stare at the ceiling. When I do fall asleep, I wake up every hour or two in agony from the discomfort of my lower abdomen. I'm tired of the draining, I'm tired of the leaking, I'm tired of not sleeping, and more than anything, I'm tired of having to deal with looking like I'm pregnant. A lady said to me the other day, "oh honey, when are you due?" I cried and walked away, not explaining I'm not pregnant and can never medically have kids. THIS IS TURNING INTO A NIGHTMARE FOR ME. I'M BEGINNING TO REGRET I EVER HAD THIS DONE. Thanks for letting me vent. I'm just tired of it all. Stacey W

Keep your head up. I felt the same way after y RNY. The site where the stapler went in got infected and drained horrible. I went through a whole roll of paper towel in about 30 minutes. It was runny, white and pink and completely disgusting. I know how you feel. It took a good 3 to 4 weeks for it to heal completely. My side was swollen and it hurt. Hopefully yours will heal completely very soon and you will no longer be in such discomfort. Just know that all good things come in time and just think how wonderful you will look this summer in new clothes with a new HOT body! Stacey B

Thanks....I'll hope that I get through it without making another call to Dr DiNick. I just hate calling him. I feel like I'm bothering him. Though I've been told I'm not. It's difficult to feel like what the summer holds when I can hardly get through a day of work. Still feel fat, belly and all. Kind of a sad thing for me during the holidays...I have NO holiday cheer. Pity party is on. BYOB. Stacey W

Do you still have your JP drains? If not ask him if he can put one back in for a while. It did the trick for me and I had according to Dr. Kole, the seroma from hell. It was big enough to have it's own flag and anthem. As he said,"That's not a seroma, it's a portable water bed." Are you wearing your binder? Any space will be filled up with fluid and if you keep the space closed with the binder it will fill less. If you don't have a jp drain and put on the binder you will squirt like a squeezed lemon. Yes it is normal to drain. Use surgical sponges or you have to get some of those old fashioned strap on sanitary napkins you hook up to a pair of suspenders. You are tight for a reason. It will loosen up over time. Yes it hurts and will for a while. We all have regrets when we do it. The more you move the more juice you make. The less you move the tighter you will get so it is a double edged sword. Take a deep breath and relax. In a year you will never know it happened. kp

Dear KP/BB: No, no drains. I dont'/can't return until January 13th. I can check via phone and see if he can put in a drain, but I dont know. I don't wear any garments, no binders, nothing. he said not to. As for surgical pads, I'm wearing half of one doubled over (about 1 inch thick) and I change them 2-4 times a day depending on the drainage. As far as movement, I work, and do some light lifting (under the 12 lb limit) and that's about it. Is the seroma the scabbie thing that is what is draining? It's hard as a brick there and I'm sooooooooooo swollen still. 8 weeks and swollen like a pig. yea, in a year I wont regret this. But right now, it's hard to adjust to. I'm just asking for advice....is this normal...cuz this is new to me. And I'm seeing that it is normal.....kind of lets me breathe a little. Thanks for the tips. Beef tips and mushrooms and stuff bunny. SW

I absolutely have had no regrets. Yes, I had drainage and pain and tightness and sleepless nights but I expected there to be discomfort. I knew there would be swelling so I was not surprised. I was leaking and had to change pads several times. I did get fluids on my clothes. None of this EVER made me regret my decision to have surgery. I'm sorry this has turned out this way for you but I have never felt any of these things you are feeling. From your pictures you posted, I saw a huge difference with your before and after photos. I don't think your expectations were in line with the type of MAJOR surgery you had done. Everything you are going through is part of the healing process (i.e. swelling, drainage, leaking). The reality of having any type of surgery has different ramifications towards the healing process. Part of the process requires patience on your part for the healing to take place. If you have any serious concerns you really need to address them with the doctor - he would want to know. Carey

Stacy, I sure do inderstand about the draining, Hang in there it will get better,so heres my 2 cents , you probably need the seroma drained you will feel better,I found that the surgical dressings didn't cut it for the leakage so I bought maxi pads and taped them on absorbed more and cheaper, Take your pain meds at night to help you with sleeping I found that I was actually in pain late night, Also I had, before the maxi pads ,leakage everywhere, clothes binders etc. we used hydrogen peroxide, it took it all out of every thing maybee + a little shout after the peroxide, I found I felt better with the binder on with a soft shirt under it, The swelling will go down!!!!!!!!!I wish you the very best and Happy Holidays to you, Marcia

Obviously people experience fears and upsets differently than others. I'm irrational when I'm scared. And it isnt getting ANY better. Not at all. The nightmares also have caused alot of upset for me. Nightmares of waking up on the operating table. Those come at least 3 times a week. I'll just sweat it out. I'm not capable of returning to Ypsilanti right now. If I need to call the Dr., I will. But most likely I won't. I feel like I'm bothering him. SW

I'm sorry you feel that way Stacey but he and I have told you several times that you are not bothering him. I can bring you in earlier if you need to see him - you need to let me know. He will be here tomorrow morning if you need to see him. Carey

The only thing I can say is thank you all for caring and posting your advice. I wish now that I had not posted this thread. I'm sorry that I did. I am unable to come down to Ypsilanti any earlier than the 13th. If it is indeed a dire emergency or major concern, I will call the Doctor and I am not hesitant in doing so, as I've already spoken to him three times since my last appointment on Saturday. Let's leave it at that. I really don't need to swim in the upset right now. Thank you all again....appreciated. Stacey W