I feel so alone.........

You need to find a local PCP who will cooperate with you in your care.

You shouldn't rely on a surgeon who is so far from you. I had my DS two years ago and haven't had a need to contact my surgeon once. My pcp took out my stitches, orders the labs I request and I track them and adjust my supplementation on my own. If I require a specialist for something, I have no doubt that my PCP will refer me to one.

Hi.  Having a hole in our tummies is a very scary thing but just know that you are NOT alone in this.  Many of us have had this same problem and it will get better.  There is light at the end of the tunnel but it will take time.

Mine was after my TT and was called fat necrosis.  (BTW I also had open RNY but they didn't do lap 9 yrs. ago. LOL)  FN is more common then many realize.  It can happen on incisions lines even after C sections, hysterectomies, and people in car accidents with trauma from seat belts, etc. 

The skin, for some unknown reason, gets no blood circulation and dies causing the incision to open up.  I also said to my PS "Sew it shut."  But they can't and won't do that.  There is infection in there and it has to heal from the inside out.  There is a greater risk of worse infection if it is closed.  

You may NOT even have fat necrosis so don't freak out but education is knowledge.  If it is FN, in my case, it got worse before it got better.  It has to run its course.  My opening was 6" wideX 3 1/4" deep X 3/4" open from top to bottom at its worst.  It was terrifying to me and it was nasty looking and the dressings needed to be changed and cleaned by me every few hours.  I went to my doctor every week to have it worked on and checked, so it is imperative that you find a good doctor to follow you through with this.  It took mine over 3 months to heal.  Antibiotics are crucial and I was on pain pills part of the time. 

BUT YES, I would do it all over again without hesitation.  It could happen to me again if I choose to have any additional surgery.  But that won't stop me.  

I live by myself and took care of all of this myself.  You will be able to find strength within you that you didn't realize you had.  Take some big deep breaths, then take this 1 second at a time.  Write down everything that is said to you and the dates and who you spoke too.  When we are so upset, its hard to remember all these details.  

I'm not trying to frighten you.  Only helping you with your "what if's" by indicating what it could be.  But sometimes if we know the worst thing that can happen, it is better than the unknown.  And it doesn't mean that the worst is going to happen to you.  This may be minor and will be cleared up soon.  Write down the questions that you want answered and keep calling your doctor.  Possibly they can give you a referral to a doctor closer to where you live.

You are in my prayers.
Kat  

I just wanted to chime in on what patiruple said about our doctor's obligation to us.  I don't know what your doctors obligation is but it should certainly be at least 90 days.  Follow up care is very important after WLS.  I went every 3 months until 1 yr post op.  Since then I go at least once every year and more if need be for any reason.  No one is more on top of bariatric surgery updates than the surgeon himself, and his nurse.  I want to remain educated and get that thumbs up that things are ok.  I have my bloodwork every year and see the dietitian too. 

IMHO, PCP's claim to be educated about the needs of bariatric patients but far too many of them aren't.  They want to prescribe meds that we are NOT allowed to take and/or will give us ulcers.  I've never had an ulcer but have never taken any meds I shouldn't take.  Your doctor should give you a list of all the prescriptions and OTC meds that you canNOT take. 

A PCP may also think a 10# weight gain is nothing to be alarmed about but to a bariatric patient, it is!  They don't know what our blood test levels should be compared to a normal person.  Any and all docs that hand me a new prerscription.....I come home and call my bariatric doctor to find out if it's safe for me to take, whether its on my do not take list or not.  Maybe I am too cautious but I'd rather be safe than hurt my little pouch.  I want to hear it from THEM!   Ive been healthy and problem free for almost 9 yrs except for my complication with PS.  But God deserves the glory!

Those of you that have found a PCP that you trust with these issues, I'm happy for you.  In my case, my WLS doc and his whole office staff, have been excellent in being there for me all these years.  Make this a primary consideration before you decide who will do your  weight loss surgery. 

You are very fortunate to have gotten into a program that the surgeon still sees you.

I am one whose PCP now does my after care.  I left the program that I was in because I never saw the surgeon that first time after unless I had a complication.  He is a very talented surgeon and I have had stellar results, however the people he has entrusted to monitor my after care are very poorly trained.  They caused my a multitude of problems physically because of this.

My PCP doesn't portray that he is an expert in this are.. however he is open to learn and do what is best.  I am still in close contact with the few people that I felt I could trust and if I have an issue that needs attention, I am proactive to do the research pertaining to the situation.  My pcp is open minded enough that he will do anything that is necessary to keep me healthy.  If there is an issue he can;t deal with, he refers me to someone who can.  It is by far more than my surgeon ever did outside of doing my surgery.

As for medications and scripts, my PCP is always cautious what he prescribes for me.  And as for the 10 lb wgt gain.. what could your surgeon do for you to alleviate this that my PCP couldn't?

Your surgeon is to be commended to take his practice so seriously.  It is indeed unfortunate that there aren't more out there who do the same.

Carlene

I absolutely agree.

I'd much rather have a PCP who was open minded and willing to listen than a surgeon who hasn't had the time or inclination to fully investigate the intricacies of post-op bariatric life. Particularly in the area of supplementation, most of them haven't had any education in deficiencies since the one semester they took years ago in med school.

It is SO important that we educate and advocate for OURSELVES.

I have found this true, not just for me and my WLS, but also for my geriatric mother. She was showing rapid onset signs of dementia that the medical establishment shrugged off as Alzheimer's and did NOTHING. I researched, discovered she was B-12 deficient, and greatly improved her situation by proper supplementation. It left me wondering how many older folk are suffering in an unnecessary fog that their doctors and family shrug off as dementia.

I totally agree.  In times past we were not able to find the information that was needed.  Today, the world is at the tip of our fingers.

Carlene

I am addicted to research and I ADORE the internet.

But, I evaluate my sources ( I don't give her anything that hasn't been peer reviewed and published by a reliable scientific source like Pub-Med), and I approach my PCP with print outs and an attitude of, "This is what I read. This is how I think it applies to this situation. Can you tell me what you  think of it after you've had time to read it?"

I've found that that makes all the difference in the world.

That is exactly how I do it.  I do the research and take in the validation that I have found.  I use the clinic for the Mayo clinic as one of my prime resources.

I take what I have a a print out of what I  have found.  Sometimes when I don't he will ask if I have.one.

We should be our own best advocate.

Blessings,
Carlene

Just wanted to give you a hug, lady.

Hang in there. You're not being a baby! You have been through a lot at one time and some of us have harder struggles post-op than others do. Do not compare yourself to anyone else here. Keep an eye on your wound and trust your instincts. After a couple of days of antibiotics, if it starts weepinng more, if it smells, if you have pain, if, if, if...get yourself back to the ER.

I live in Chicago (had my DS in San Fran, though) and have not heard anything, good or bad, about his practice until now. THIS SUCKS. Do not protect him by not posting your experience on the Illinois forum in the future. Prospective patients would like to know your experience as they make decisions about their lives.

Nicolle

I hope everything is better for you now wish you were closer I am a wound care nurse and I would have been happy to come take a look for you email me if you have any questions and I can try to help you. Your not alone in this we are all in this together  Amanda