Need some advise please/long

Hi Everyone, Some of this may be redundant but I wanted to put it all on here to see if I can get any suggestions. Had several PS procedures done May 4th one of which was having the fat that was removed in lipo injected in my butt (had this all done in MX). Well the fat got infected and I formed three large abseces and became septic, I was very ill, spent 7days in telementry and had another surgery to have the abseces cleaned out. Since then I had the wounds, which were like long wide tunnels on each butt cheek, packed daily and even used a wound vac for a period of time. During this time I got two infections in the same tunnel that were both treated with oral antibiotics. The openings to the tunnels were getting extremely small and difficult to pack but the tunnel remained the same size for nearly 6weeks. After discussions with my wound care nurses and others I decided to go to a 3rd plastic surgeon who suggested having the wounds opened from the tops cleaned out and stiched closed, I took this suggestion and had the surgery on Aug 14th. One side successfully closed but the same side that has been the most troublesome did not close, last week when I went to have the last of the staples removed the Dr. re-opened the wound and found about 40 blood clots, he said I had bled and the clots kept the wound from closing. I have now had this huge, deep open wound in my butt cheek since last Tuesday back to daily cleanings and packings and will have surgery again tomorrow to close it. It took a couple of days and them using some silver nitrate to get the bleeding to stop. Thanks for reading all that.....now my questions are these, I have not been able to get in 100gms of protien a day, I just cant eat enough, I am getting in about 60gms I do one protien shake a day and get the rest in moz sticks and some meats, meats do not always sit well and fill me up very quickly so I go more for cheese and sometimes protien bars like the southbeach ones, I also can no longer eat eggs they also do not sit well. Do you think this is why I am having so much trouble healing...if so do you have any suggestions or can you tell me how you get in 100gms of protien ea day? I also take my vitamins each day, I take a very good liquid multi vitamine, and get my b12 shot ea month, is there maybe some other supplement that I could add that would assist?. Any other suggestions to aide in my healing are appreciated, I have been at the same job for 21yrs and only have 2more weeks of FMLA, althought they have been understanding so far I am not so sure they will not let me go if I don't return in the next two weeks, bottom line at my job is numbers. I really need to get well and any suggestions are appreciated. I may not be able to answer them all as I can only sit for a while before it really starts hurting. I have pictures of the wound as it is now if anyone wants to see it I will email it. Thanks! Melissa

I do 3 protein shakes a day still at 15 months post-op so I get 100 gms of protein from that alone. I always eat protein focused and protein rich foods but know that I'm getting enough from the shakes alone. Given your medical need for protein and healing... I'd do multiple shakes a day until things are healed. I've heard that bumping up the protein shakes when having plastics can really, really help. Do you take iron? With the bleeding you've had, it might be a good idea to add it in if you aren't taking it. Are you taking a B 100 complex? If not, I'd suggest adding one each day. Having enough B vitamins (specifically B1) helps with nutritional levels including absorption of protein. I'm very sorry for all the difficulties you are going through with the surgeries. I hope this one fixes things up and that you are on the road to true wellness very, very soon. Best wishes, Kathy

Hi Kathy, Thanks so much for the info..I will up my shakes I think that is the only way I can get in all the protien, I guess I just felt that at this stage I should be able to get it from food. The multi vitamine I take has iron, I did have to have a transfusion while in the hospital due to becoming pretty anemic, I think it was due to the two surgeries I had back to back. As for b complex, I am not I only take the multi and the b12 once a mo. I will get a b complex today and start it right away. Thanks again, Melissa

Melissa--I would take Kathy's advice and up the protein shakes to a minimum of 3 a day. Have you had bloodwork done since the plastics? I would definitely have that done. If it was me I would increase my iron immediately as well. Some of the iron that comes in multi-vitamins does not absorb very well in a post wls system. I believe the new recommendation for B12 sublinguals is once a week. Definitely get that bloodwork checked--that could be a major impediment to healing.

I made a pot of chili and a pot of potato soup with lots of lean hamburger & cheese in it before my surgery. You could use finely chopped ham instead of hamburger if you prefer it. After my plastic surgery I forced myself to eat every 3 hours in an effort to get protein into my body. I'd dip the soup into a cup and microwave it. Like you I couldn't eat a lot at the time after surgery, but I was able to get enough protein in by eating more often. I ate the chili more often than the potato soup, because the chili had more protein. Once I healed I went back to 3 meals & 1 snack a day. I agree with the others that protein shakes are good, but my surgeon is a strong advocate of getting protein from food. Sorry to hear you're having so many problems with your surgery.

i generally get at least 100 gms a day from 6 oz lean meat, fish, chicken, plus 3 servings of dairy and a couple servings of barilla plus pasta or kashi high protein cereal. I do not use protein shakes except in dire cir****tances. . If you are not able to eat that much cetainly it is critical to get the protein however you can and if that would be from shakes , then you need to do it. I think you are healing poorly because of the infections you have had. Fat transfer sounds like a great idea to round out an area instead of an implantable device, but you are not the first person I have heard to have serious complications from it. the fat doesn't always make a new blood supply and necrosis seems to be a fairly common side effect. If the procedure was not done properlyor in substandard conditions infection seems likely. your nutritional state will affect healing, so keep up the suplements and eat well. HUGS! I am so sorry yu had such an aweful experience. Hopefully your employer will see this as the difficult situation it is and work with you on retaining your job. In the meantime I would be talking to them asap about what is happening and how you expect it to resolve, and how mch longer it might take and that you very much want to keep the job you have been at for so long. remind them of the accomplishments you have made on the job that make you a valued employee. Remind them of your loyalty as am employee and good work record, evaluations.

Hi Melissa. I really feel for you. Hang in there. Try the "New Whey" protein bullets. You can get them at a discounted rate at wholesalesupplementstore.com. Their shipping rates are cheap, too. The bullets taste like jello, and have 25 grams protein and 100 calories. I wouldn't drink only those (mix it up), but they are great for getting in a fast 25 grams of protein. You should also be maximizing your vitamins. I would also recommend you get some cold-pressed flaxseed oil. It needs to be very fresh and cold-pressed, and refrigerated. You can get it at Whole Foods. It tastes a bit weird/fishy, but you can mix it with things like orange juice. It is recommended you mix it with protein to get the biggest effect. Flaxseed oil is great for your immune system, and I always get it when I'm sick or having surgery or just plain overworked.

Melissa, This is what has been recommended to me as I have been preparing for plastics myself. In addtion...my plastic surgeon had recommened that I start getting 100 grams of Protein a day several months prior to surgery to ensure that my protein reserve. I have ordered Profect @ 100 cal and 25g of Protein (twice daily) and I plan to use this after surgery. START 2 weeks BEFORE until 2 weeks AFTER surgery: (Strongly Recommended) * Take a Multivitamin tablet daily . * Take Vitamin A - 8,000-10,000 units, twice a day. This has well-documented beneficial effects on surgical healing and will also fuel your immune system. * Take Vitamin C - 1,000 mg., twice a day. This is essential for collagen synthesis, which is part of normal wound healing. Your need for Vitamin C will increase after surgery. * Take Bromelain - 1,000 mg., twice a day. (Pineapple enzyme - from a health food store) This helps to relieve the swelling associated with surgery. For Liposuction patients only: * Begin taking Slow Fe (non-prescription iron supplement) once daily. Mary M. 415/159

Melissa, I am so sorry you are still having problems. We had surgery about 1 month apart and I remember you posting about the problem you were having maybe in June or July. I have always used "LoCarb Slimfast" with one scoop of "Unflavored Unjury" and this is 40 grams of protein. I really does the job for me and when I only get in two drinks I still have 80 grams of protein. If you get the Slimfast make sure its the LoCarb as they have several. Not all contain 20 grams of protein. Unjury is at Unjury website. I have been doing this prior to RNY, increased before TT/butt lift and just increased again since I am having a breast lift on 22nd. This surely has helped me get my protein in and I know protein heals. Sending prayers your way for recovery. ~Ginny