Scared About Surgery Spots

I am so scared I am going to rip one open its just freaking me out.  I am scared to bend down to pull up my shorts, afraid to wash myself around them for fear I might do something wrong, afraid when I get up out of a chair one of them is going to pop open.  I am being as gentle as I can with myself but I am still concerned.  All of them look okay this morning though.

Dan - you aren't feeling anything we all didn't feel after we got out of the hospital.  It is natural to be really careful of your incisions because we don't want to make them worse.  The docs do a great job of reconnecting them but it is still a good idea to take it easy on them.  Follow your release instructions, keep them clean and dry, try to limit those sudden moves and keep on going!  If they get red and hot, then you need to call Dr G, but expect they will get itchy as they heal.  When is your first follow up with Dr G?  Something that might make you feel a little better right now is to keep a journal.  Pick a couple things to focus on.  For instance, how and what you are feeling about your body changing.  Obviously your food and then maybe what your goals short and long term are and how they might change. That should take your mind off the little things.  Or not...it might make you more obsessive too.  hmmm....haha... Remember the emotional roller coaster you were on right before surgery, it isn't going to stop barrelling down the tracks anytime soon.  I don't think men have as much issues as women in the hormonal part, but I know they still have some of the issues.  Your emotions are still going to all over the place.  You did just have major surgery and your stomach and intestines are still pumping out all sorts of stuff to heal themselves.  Go easy on yourself and all will work itself out! You'll be surprised how different you feel about things as you move through your journey! You know how to reach us if you ever need to!  I'm just a phone call away!  It's been awesome for me to be reminded of how things go at the beginning again, I had forgotten!  And since I am getting ready to certify as a support group leader, it is information that I need to remember!! ((((BIG HUG)))))  Ruth PS Somone called me skinny yesterday who didn't know me before my journey!  It was a crazy awesome feeling!!!!

Dan,      I think what you are going through is totally normal.  I've had 3 previous stomach surgeries and all of them I was afraid to sneeze, cough, or do anything that I thought might pop a stitch and for some reason I had visions of my guts popping out.  You'll be relieved to know that never happened :P  When you wash around them just use a wash cloth and be very gentle, don't scrub.  Just keep an eye on the incisions, if they become red, hot, or you have abnormal discharge call Dr. G, otherwise just take it easy.  I know that it's hard but the more you can move, even if it's slowly and carefully, the better you are going to heal up. kat

I was shocking the nurses cause I would make THEM come help me out of bed so I could walk.  I was up and walking just about every 3 hours. I got up Friday/Saturday at 3 am and was walking down the hall and one of them said , "Wow what are you doing up?" and I said I couldnt sleep and I was bored of just laying there and wanted to walk.  LOL. The biggest pain I am having this morning is my hips are hurting.  Maybe I walked too much too soon?  I dunno.

Yo Dude, Glad to hear from you!  Did you get an abdominal binder to wear after surgery?  I had to wear one for about 4-5 weeks after the hernia repair and I felt like it gave me the support I needed in my tummy area.  I know you can get one at a drug/medical supply store I believe on Utica or Lewis and 21st street.  I got to the point where I felt naked if I didn't have it on.  Just take it easy, walk and sip, sip, sip.  I am thinking your hips are hurting from being on the OR table.  Walking should help.  Call me if you have any questions or need anything.  I am off on Wednesday and Friday this week if you need me.  I will be available Wednesday from about 1:00pm til 3:00pm, then I have to go get the girls from school.  Well, call me if you need me, ok?   Michelle

HEY Dan! Glad to hear your up and about.. Its normal to worry about it. just take what they told you to do. and you will be fine.  I have had more than my share of surgeries, except the one I want, and my hips always hurt for a week or so afterwards, must be from the OR table.

Hi Dan! I agree with everyone else. All normal and mine never gave me any trouble.  Just the itching and and don't scratch as you might knock the glue off before it is supposed to.  There are stitches under the skin where you can't see them. And a journal is the best idea.  I started one right before my surgery.  I plan to keep it for one year or maybe longer.  I will love going back through it in later days. Take it easy, but the walking does help so much with working out the kinks and building your energy back up. Phyllis

Dan, it's great to see you posting!  Just sip, sip, sip, and walk ... and move carefully when you're getting up and down. Use a pillow to hug if you need to cough. You'll be well before you know it! Congrats on having your surgery done and being home!!!    Shelly

Glad you're doing well.  It's normal to worry about things like that.

Dan  Glad to hear that everything went well.  I will keep you in my prayers. Heather