OUCH....A hematoma!

HI guys, I just came back from seeing my surgeon's partner because I have been having a lot of pain under one of my incisions and there is a hard lump there. It has been so bad the past few days that walking has been causing me enough pain to bring tears to my eyes. So, I thought I had a hernia because of the knot and the burning. It turns out a hematoma has formed under my incision. The doc said that it should clear up in 2 weeks. In the mean time I am supposed to keep walking to help with my weight loss and to build up my strength. He gave me some more pain meds to get me through and cautioned me to be very careful about twisting or bending at the waist until it is healed. The surgeon did say it was good that I got in there, however, because pain on the left side can be a number of problems including bowel obstructions, adhesions or hernias. These problems can be life threatening. Even if you have a lap surgery, you need to listen to your body and take any new or intensified pain seriously. I tried to tough it out for 5 days because I didn't want to look like a baby and I suffered extra pain unnecessarily. It really is better to let your surgeon be the judge of what is going on with you and let him do his job. It could save your life. I just thought I would pass that along. Have a good day and stay warm. Hugs, Jaimee

Oh Jaimee, I'm so sorry you are still having pain....but, I'm glad it is something so treatable. I'm glad for your feedback about listening to your body, because I think when we have lap RNY we tend to think we aren't going to have complications as much, but it's important to know we might. Thanks for sharing your story and I'm glad he agreed to give you more pain meds. Keep hanging in there, I bet things will be so much better once that hematoma is gone. Merry Christmas. Denise

I bet you're starting to count down now that you have a date fairly soon. Hang on because it is going to be here before you know it.

Oh Jaimee, I am sorry you had to go through that!! Sounds pretty tender - no wonder you were still in pain! I am glad you shared though ... there are a lot of things to be on the "lookout" for. It's hard to know, is THIS something to report to the doctor - is THAT something? We don't want to be a whiner, but we have to be observant! I am doing okay but having a rough time getting in all those liquids! I like water but am sick to death of just about everything else! But less than a weak from now I hope to venture into a full liquid diet. Have lost about 19 pounds already. Many more to go. Will close - sending you a big hug over the Internet! Best wishes, Kitty B. RNY 12/13/04 251 / 232

Kitty, Getting the liquids in is very hard at first. It will get better. I am able to get close to the goal each day. Great job on the 19 pound loss! And thanks for the hug.

Sorry to hear you are in pain. I pray that you heal soon. Have a happy holiday! Julie

Aaron was home today and he really babied me. Between him and the vicodin things have been bearable today. Tomorrow could be a challenge. I will have the kids all by myself the whole day because Aaron has to work. You have a great holiday too!!!! Do you have any special plans? Have you heard anything new about your surgery? Are things moving forward okay? We are hoping to go to see Polar Express on Friday with the kids (if they're all healthy--Autumn was up all night last night and she has had a fever since yesterday afternoon, poor baby) We always take them to a movie on Christmas Eve. It is something we have done since they were tiny. We usually bake a birthday cake for Jesus too and they frost it before going to bed. Then they have the birthday party on Christmas morning before opening their presents and have cake for breakfast. We will be avoiding that tradition this year since I know I might be tempted to have blended cake instead of my Carnation Instant Breakfast. Might have to make a sculpey cake and pretend from now on LOL!!! I am really trying to figure out how to replace that particular tradition. On Saturday we are just going to hang out here in our jammies and let the kiddos play with their new toys. Have a great Holiday and take care ~~Jaimee

I can tell you from my experience it won't go away.As a matter of fact it got bigger. I had one surgeon drain it all and within one month it was back.I finally had to have surgeon remove it 7 pounds later that's how much it weighed. Good Luck I hope it goes away.