Beginning to REALLY regret RNY

whitespots
on 12/4/08 12:23 am, edited 12/4/08 12:30 am - Pittsfield, NH
My wound, from my infection after my RNY in September is not healed.  And hasn't healed in 2 weeks.  Now I have to get more expensive supplies and pack it 2-3 times a day.  Not sure when I am going to get the 3rd time in, lay on my desk at work and do it?

I am really bummed out about this.  Technically, had I not found something to cover my wound, I would STILL not be able to shower.  Yeah!  But I have the saran wrap press n seal and that works pretty well.

The longer this goes on the longer I have to wait to go on my Arthritis meds (they can cause infection) and the longer I am in pain.  I haven't started freaking exercising because it hurts to frigging walk.

Oh, and it's painful when I poop and I can't find freaking colace anywhere. 

And now that I am on birth control pills again, I am getting migraines again.  I had mysterious migraines that lasted about 18-20 hours starting when, surprise, I started taking birth control.  All through my 20s I dealt with them and had some migraine meds to help me through them.  When I went off BC a year and a few months ago to try and get pregnant, the migraines went away!  Now they are back.  Another reason to be pissed off about my RNY.

Tomorrow will be better, but right now I am pissed off and depressed and hate my decision.

Jenn
bamma2006
on 12/4/08 12:38 am - Nottingham, NH
Hi Jenn,

I feel so bad for you.  Has anyone indicated why the wound has not healed yet?  I can't even begin to feel what you are going through.  The only thing I can say, is hang in there.  It will get better....  Have you tried miralax?  It worked wonders for me, and it has a stool softner in it.  The best thing is it is tasteless.  Also, is there another form of birth control you can use?  With everything out there, I would think something would work for you.  Having migraines is not fun. 

But most of all....don't hate your decision, because it saved your life.  When you look at the big picture....this is just a bump in the road.  Some roads are bumpier than others.  Hopefully you will find a stretch of flat, smooth highway soon.

Martha
IF YOU ARE GOING THROUGH HELL.....KEEP GOING!!
Winston Churchill
I WILL NOT TRY..... I SIMPLY WILL
    
 
    

Date of Surgery - 8/15/2008
Bamma to Cameron 1/24/2006
irshfiregrl
on 12/4/08 3:37 am - Portsmouth, NH
OH you poor thing!  How big is the wound that hasn't healed yet?  If its small enough i would reccomend some Tegederm (3M makes it) Its the clear sticky plastic they put over IV sites to keep them still... works great over a small packaged wound. 

As far as the Birth control goes, have you thought of trying a different form...Patch maybe?  Im no expert on this certainly...Im still counting down to my 1 year surgiversary so i can go back on my depo.

And the POOPING.... Try some decaf coffee in the am - seems to do the trick for me.

Keep your head up, It WILL get better!!!!

K8


Start 260/ Surgery 249/ Goal 140/ Current 135       5.8"

umber
on 12/4/08 3:59 am - Rochester, NH
That's AWFUL.  Hope the wound healing issue gets cleared up soon.  Are they giving you anything to help the healing along?  How bad is it still? 

I am sure you are bummed.  Anyone would be.  It must be so frusterating.  You said that the arthritis keeps you from exercising?  What about walking?  Would that hurt?  I ask because that keeps me regular and helps me with being able to go to the bathroom.  Decaf was a good suggestions, Mirilax (I know I spelled that wrong) was also a great suggestion, but even just taking a short - say a mile - long walk will help "wake your bowels up" and get things moving.

I also found that I didn't go well on the hormone up-and-downs of birth control pills.  I use an IUD now instead.  It has a little hormone but  much less than the pill.  It does affect me but in a good way - it makes periods much lighter, shorter and even eliminates them for many people after the first 6 - 12 months.  Also when you DO decide (if you do decide) you want to get pregnant fertility resumes a month after IUD removal.  Is is a little painful to have put in.  It is quite painful to have taken out.  If you don't want your fertility to resume you keep it in for five years, then they have to put in a new one.  I had my old one taken out and new one put in just before my gastric bypass surgery.  It's an unplesant proceedure but considering I already have four kids and we tend to be SUPER FERTILE it's worth it to me.  It's ALSO less painful than, say, another pregnancy. 

It might help you feel better to be able to talk about it with a group of people who understand.  I haven't been through exactly what you've been through, but I am sure there have been some people at the post-op support group meeting who could really relate to some of it.  Perhaps even who had wound problems.  Any chance you can make a post-op support group?

Wish I could help.  You sound miserable.  *hugs*
--umber.

Lord, give me stregth and when I lack it, patience.  

 

kmvanvliet
on 12/4/08 4:21 am - Manchester, NH
I don't really have anything else to offer by way of suggestions to ease your discomfort.  I agree with all the posts above.  I just wanted to send you a big hug to help get you through the day.  Hang in there.  It really will get better.  I saw it in my crystal ball!
"I am not the skin I'm in, but the soul within."
Shirley D.
on 12/4/08 5:46 am - Plaistow, NH
I haven't got anything to add the wise ladies before haven't already said, but wanted you to know I was thinking of you.  I'm sure there are better days ahead for you and the problems you are experiencing will go away and you will feel much much better.  As an arthritis sufferer myself, I understand how much it hurts.  Please be gentle with yourself now.   Maybe ask your doctor if the fact that you're back on the BCP's might be the cause of migraines?  When I was on them, I got migraines the first two months until my body adjusted to the hormones and then I was ok.  Also, are you getting 60 gm of protein a day?  Protein plays a HUGE part in healing.  Maybe ramping up your protein might help you heal. 

Ok, so well, maybe I had a little something to add.  I hope you feel better soon. 

Shirley
"How I respond to challenges says more about me than doing something easy ever will."
Start 251/Surgery 236.5/Current 141/Goal 130
trundy
on 12/4/08 6:26 am - Newmarket, NH
Have they thought about sending you to a wound care center? You may have better luck with a program that deals with this type situation on a daily basis. Good luck
whitespots
on 12/4/08 6:55 am - Pittsfield, NH
Trundy, I go to the PRH Wound Care Center.  I see Dr. Paciulli once a week there - on the bright side, at least I get to see my surgeon a lot. 

Thanks for all the suggestions and kind words.  I needed e-hugs today.  I am going to make sure I have 80+ grams of protein in a day - I think I have slacked a bit in that dept, but still getting 60g in.  As for the arthritis, I just gotta ride it out and wait.  I am on a daily regimen on meds to try and keep the disease under control, but without the meds to keep my joints from eroding/in pain/disease from progressing I can't do much.  I did get a cortisone shot in my ankle 2 weeks ago so I could walk.  I wouldn't be in so much pain if I were able to take my daily 3200 mgs of ibuprofin I took preop.

Anyway, thanks again.... Tomorrow is a new day!
trundy
on 12/4/08 7:52 am - Newmarket, NH
You are pretty young for arthritis aren't you (at least you looked a lot younger to me in person than in your photo)? That must really stink.....

The wound care center was my only intelligent thought on your plight...wish I had something else I could suggest....
Michelle A.
on 12/4/08 7:06 am - manchester, NH
A couple of things come to mind.
1. Have you thought of getting a referal to a wound care specialist?  I assume you mean two MONTHS by the date of your surgery.  Did you have your RNY open?

2. Have you looked into Natural Family Planning?  I know that CMC in Manchester and St. Joes in Nashua teaches it and I know other places do as well...  http://www.naprotechnology.com/  It really is interesting and science driven without hormones or chemicals. 
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