I feel rotten.

I don't know if it is common to feel rotten this far out from WLS (August 24) or not. The incision sites (especially one) are painful and I still have a discharge from one of the areas where the drainage pump had been installed. There are no red streaks around the incisions; however, I am still quite bruised. Am I just normal? Do I need to call the doctor?

Hello, I was worried about my incisions, too, being that I'd never had surgery and didn't know what they were supposed to look like. If you have a friend who is a nurse, have them check it so you don't have to go in to see a doc. That's what I did. I had to have bloodwork done and I ran one down in the hospital to check some of my incisions out, and she said they were all fine. The site where the drain was was of course the last to heal because the drain stayed in for a week after surgery. I remember mine leaking a little, but it was always clear fluid, it just seeped a little. Only had to change the bandage once a day after shower time. Oh, and I had bruises for a while, too. First from the heparin shots and days to weeks later the worse or deeper bruises started to appear. For your own peace of mind, please go see a doctor or any health care provider if it will help you. I'm no doctor, and don't play one on TV (haha) but I would say if they are not hot to the touch, inflamed and not leaking yellow or green smelly stuff you are probably ok. Just make sure you are keeping all wounds clean with soap and water (don't soak forever in the shower - scabs are good!) and of course dry as possible after the shower. Take care, Gisela

Gisela, Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I did not think about it until I read your post, but my sister is a RN. In fact, she is over the health department in Lauderdale County, Alabama. She came over today and said my incisions look fine. I guess they take a while to heal. The discharge from the one incision is sort of bloody, but nothing alarming, so I guess I will just chill. I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. Jacquie