Botched surgery
I had surgery 5 years ago and my Dr. didn't put a drain in. It causes a horrible infection that my family had to clean and packed for weeks. Now I still have a whole in my side that festers and is really sore. My Dr is in another state now and no other Dr. Will touch her mistake... Anybody else had a issue like this. Everybody tells me to get a lawyer but I just want it gone so my side stops hurting.
on 9/26/14 4:55 pm - Heber, AZ
I had surgery 5 years ago and my Dr. didn't put a drain in. It causes a horrible infection that my family had to clean and packed for weeks. Now I still have a whole in my side that festers and is really sore. My Dr is in another state now and no other Dr. Will touch her mistake... Anybody else had a issue like this. Everybody tells me to get a lawyer but I just want it gone so my side stops hurting.
A lawyer isn't going to help any, infection is a risk of any surgery. Not using a drain isn't a mistake, many surgeons don't use them.
You need an infectious disease specialist for this, not a bariatric surgeon and any of them would take your case, that's what they do.
The wound is still infecting after five YEARS has passed? I'd find another doctor pronto.
You say no other doc will touch your surgeon's mistake - but you're gonna need to be really pushy and proactive about this. Something is definitely not right. You may have to call hundreds of doctors to find one who will help you but it is imperative that you get it taken care of immediately. Absolutely immediately. Non-healing wounds can be a sign of other conditions over and above the original cause.
This is serious business. You're right about not wanting to follow up with an attorney at the moment; I imagine most of your energy is used up just getting through your daily routine. At any rate, you can decide what to do legally after you find someone to fix you up and you are feeling better.
I am really sorry you are going through this. Please gather every ounce of strength you have and push all the docs you can find, HARD, until one gives in and takes you on. And, when you have a moment, keep us posted.
Take Care
edit: which surgery did you have? I don't see it on your profile.
If you mean your surgeon didn't put in a drain after WLS, many don't. Mine didn't and it did not cause an infection. Certainly you can consult an attorney but since many surgeons don't use drains after WLS, it's unlikely you can prove your surgeon did something wrong by not using one.
You've been unable to find any doctor that will treat an infection five years after surgery? How many have you contacted?
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
on 9/27/14 3:59 am
Walk into an emergency room. That is going to force someone to take care of it.
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Not clear which surgery you had but my surgeon never uses drains. Infections are a known risk of any procedure but if it hasn't cleared up and you continue to have problems you may have MRSA and need to get help.
You've gotten some other good advice here - mainly, go to an infectious disease specialist. At 5 years post-op this has nothing to do with your original procedure and everything to do with your body's inability to heal and fight off infection.
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