No pain, no drain...

Hello all. I hope everyone had a nice holiday season. I had my follow-up with the surgeon today about my seromas. I have been staying in super compression--spanx and abdominal binder 24/7 for the past week. I wasn't actually seeing the usual swoosh when I'd press on the areas where I had the seromas. There was a bit on the one side, but I really couldn't recreate the swoosh on the other. His plan was to reinsert the drains and give them a couple weeks to do their thing. So at the office I got into my birthday suit and he started his poking around with his fingers. He told me he thought there was much less fluid on the one side and virtually none on the other. He said he wanted to go ahead and attempt the drain insertion at least on the one side. Well, when he attempted to insert the drain, he found that there was very little fluid and no space in which to lay the drain catheter. Yay! I think. He drained what was there and said he wanted to see me back in 3 weeks to give them time to refill if they are going to so he will have somewhere to put the drain if they are going to fill back up. I was so thrilled not to have the drains that I just bolted out of there, but now am remembering that everything I've read says to drain the seromas frequently and keep compression on them. The idea of waiting for them to refill now seems a little counterintuitive to me, although I get what he was saying--I think. Ugh. I guess his thought is that if they aren't going away with our weekly drainings then they aren't going away and this way he can get the darn drain in--yuck!

Do you think I should ask for an ulstrasound of the rump/hips/outer thighs despite his saying he is sure these are the only two pockets of fluid? I hate to seem like I am disbelieving him, but I've just had so much continued discomfort/weird sensation of leaning on a sock when I sit that I need the peace of mind to know we aren't missing anything and more importantly, that if they are still there he knows just where to go. However, we both thought there wasn't as much fluid and he was right about that (and so was I--do I get a prize? I guess I won NO drain!), so I'm conflicted. I guess I could wait until he thinks the seromas are gone and give it some time to see if I get to feeling a little more normal where sensation is concerned. If not, then I can always ask for the ultrasound later, although if there is an unresolved seroma sitting there it could become encapsulated and that would suck too. Oy. I always drone on trying to convince myself of the right thing to do. Sorry.

So that is the tale of my tail. Praying these things are soon to be gone!!!

Thanks for reading! 

Denise

Hey girley, sorry to hear you are still dealing with those pesty fluid pockets. I too hav developed one on he left butt area. I had it drained the week of Christmas and called to go back yesterday because I noticed a little fluid came back. He told me to come back in 4 weeks.....whatever !!!! I call and make an appt with the nurse and get drained. I agree keep it drained and super compresses and it's got no choice but to go away. I've heard some have success with adding something like a small rolled up towel Nader the compression to add even more pressure in that area. I think I'll try this too. Good luck and hang in there, it just an annoyance I know.

Hey hey! You were there yesterday too?  I swear we are going to run into each other there some day. I've actually been putting a little pillow or rolled socks back there. Figure since it feels like I'm leaning against rolled socks anyway, I might as well put them there! I know this too shall pass. I'm going to see how this next week goes. If I'm filling up I'll send him an email, present my concern about waiting and see what he says. I don't want to step too hard on his toes.

Hope we are soon dry as a bone! Have a good day!

Denise, if it is really buggin' you I would call the doc and explain that and say you would like to get an ultrsound done to restore you peace of mind.  He should buy it if you tell him your really worried.  Kind of like in retail - "The customer is always right."

I figure with what they make, I'm due some peace of mind! Just worried about that little pesky detail of insurance possibly denying the ultrasound and costing me hundreds of dollars, so I really want to believe him!

And yes, the customer is always right--except when they are rude!! LOL!

Thanks! 

 No drains seems like good news to me!  Sorry that you are still having issues with these stupid fluid buildups.

If you can afford the co-payment, I say go get the ultrasounds done. At least then you know exactly what is going on and arent either imagining the worst or neglecting things.  

I'm headed tomorrow for my ultrasounds. Even though the pain in the ass docs in this country won't drain seromas, I will at least know if things have gotten better or worse in the last several weeks.

I am interested to hear what happens with your ultrasound--please do let me know. I can't believe they won't freakin' drain your seromas. Is it Australia you said? I'll tell you what I'll do--I'll steal some syringes from the surgeons office and I will just have to jump on a plane and come do it for you! Has nothing to do with my dream to see Australia!! LOL!! 

I wish I knew if my stupid insurance would cover the ultrasound. I need to get the doctor going on the peer-to-peer review thing to see if he  can get my panniculectomy covered, then issues related to the surgery would definitely be covered. And I'd have an extra 3-5 grand in my pocket!!

Good luck today!

Denise

Know way I going to allow you to get the title back from me for champion drainer, at least in our little group groupon groupies.

Glad you don't have to have the drains though, it sound like so far your surgeon has been somewhat correct about treating your seromas to this point. So I would maybe think go with what he wants at this point and ride it out seeing as he hasn't really done wrong by you in my opinion.

Careful where you put that sock, someone may get the wrong idea!

You'll be better soon hang in there,

Hotsky to Chycofsky

If I remember correctly, CIG figured out that my drain came out on day 41 and yours came out on day 40, thus, I am the winner!!

I agree that he has been pretty solid so far with his treatment, so I'm going to try to be a patient patient.

Funny you should mention being careful with the sock. I had a pillow shoved back there the other day and Melissa, the 5 year old, looks at me with a very serious look of concern on her face and says, "Mommy, your butt got fat again." I couldn't stop laughing. Poor thing was traumatized.

If I hang in there much longer I'll become a permanent fixture!

Off to cram some socks in my crack!

Hotsky and Hutch (You should definitely get that reference, Grandpa!)

Yes butt I drained 1.32 gallons of  fluid so beat that.

Just how big was the pillow for cryin out loud, travel size or body pillow sheesh.

It would be funny with us out running around fighting crimes against obesity, you with a crack full of socks being called Hutch and me Hotsky.