update LBL infection in 3 spots of the incision

I have not updated for a while so here goes.  I have severe inflamitory arthritis and have to take steroids for it so that i can walk.  Steroids, among other things, makes wounds heal slower and chances of infection greater.  I knew that going in to my LBL and felt the risks were worth the rewards of having the 16 pounds of skin removed. 

I have 3 spots on the incision line of my LBL (which was done on June 14)  where I developed a superficial infected abcess from the suture material.  Surgeon was afraid that we would have to reopen the incision in each place today and clean, debried and pack the wounds.  But he had me take antibiotics for the last 2 weeks and keep all the spots covered with guaze and neosporine. 

Today I had them checked out, and the front spot has healed completely, there was no drainage of any kind that the surgeon could find.  The hip one is likewise healed without problems!  The one in the back is the only one that still draines but is not as red as it was 2 weeks ago. 

The GREAT NEWS IS  he decided that NONE of them needed to be opened!!!!!!  I just have to keep putting neosporine on the back (NEVER Letting it get dry or touch my clothing) and put neosporine on the front and side spots IF they start draining agin.  And take antibiotics for another 2 weeks!

Healing infections when on steroids is a VERY long process.  But I still feel the risks of  these complications were worth the rewards of the LBL and woudl do the LBL again in a heart beat if necessary.

Wow, you have had your share of complications and it's great to hear that your back on track to a smoother recovery.

Question. I see that you had your surgery at 199, will you continue to lose or are you happy maintaining at this weight?

I will be going in at 200 as well and honestly I am happy with it. Being as high as I was this is pretty darn realistic for me, plus I'll have skin weight to come off.

I am happy where I am at. I was able to purchase new pajamas yesterday and they were a size medium!  before the RNY I was wearing a 6xl or larger! so that is HUGE to me!  my arthritis feels so much better, I take fewer medications, I don't need the CPAP anymore, etc.

I have a lot more skin weight that can be removed.  I have had consults and priceing for my arms (he estimates 4-5 pounds removal on each arm), inner thighs (estimated removal 6-8 each leg) as well as lifting and refilling the girls, and removing the side boobage and upper abdominal skin that the LBL did not take care of (estimates 8-10 pounds). So the total using his conservative estimates of skin weight waiting to be removed is 28 more pounds.  That would put me at  164 and only 30 pounds away from the surgeons goal.    But the Money is not there to do these things yet, and may never be.

i am OK with it! Clothes can cover a multitude of sins, and when I don't feel like hiding the "bat wings" I just let them fly  and let others be worried and bothered by them.

4-5 lbs on each arm!  WOWZA!!  I thought I had a lot of extra skin there -but he only removed half a lb on each.  Of course - I was at a pretty low weight - so there was not much but thin skin to be removed...even my hanging panni was only 4lbs.

I'm glad your infections are clearing up!  Here's to keeping it up and being healed and good!

I'm glad to hear that. I have always felt that if i went in to plastics at 190 and after all was said and done I was 175, well thats a dreal weight for me. I'm 5'10 and realistic. I'm doing the circumferential lift in Novenber and when the surgeon first saw we naked he joked that he would be removing close to 20 on my stomach, then he saw me get excited he  said 15. I currently weigh 219 and wear size 18, I came from a very tight 32 and 5x tops. LIFE IS FANTASTIC!!!

Thanks for the reply, I have enjoyed following your recovery.

Glad things are going better for you.  Steroids are rough on your body in so many ways!  Jodi

Redhead,
So happy to hear your news! You must be feelin a whole lot better about life right about now, huh?
Carmen
prek3

you don't know the half of it!

I was dreading having to have the spots reopened since I am in my brother's wedding this Sunday, and didn't know how I could deal with open wounds under the maid of honor dress, outdoor in 90+ heat,  with the arthritis acting up.  So now I just have the arthritis and heat to deal with!

I am happy that thing area healing and the steroids are not causeing as much problems as they usually do.

You're very brave which is very inspiring!  It's amazing how much the human body can endure and (eventually) bounce back.