3 year anniversary appt with surgeon - got injection into scar tissue -what a difference
I went to see my see my surgeon and NUT yestarday for my 3 year follow up - was I glad I went. First I saw the surgeon. I hadn't seen him in quite some time since due to numerous complications last year (many of you already know about them) = he did the first of my 4 surgeries last October but when I went back in Nov he was out of town and ended up with his partner. She did a great job and saved my life and was following up with her since then and she did the additional 3 surgeries as well. I just had a bad experience with her a couple of weeks ago, that is story for another time, so I am back with my original surgeon for good now - thank goodness - he is much more experienced.
Just a brief synopsis - had surgeries for bowel obstruction, perforated colon - became septic, needed an iliostomy, G tube - lucky to be alive. 3 month later, the iliostomy was reversed. That was in February.
Now, November and I am still in pain - never went away. So, I did have a new CT scan 2 weeks ago to make sure no new bowel obstruction or anything and thank goodness all was fine. So, surgeon did a very thorough exam of me and he said a few things - first off, he said I have an incisional hernia - he said since when CT scans are done lying down, our insides are all nicely lying flat and no incisional hernias are usually found. They only come out when we are standing up and they don't do CT scan that way. So, when I was standing up = he could feel it and when I coughed it was very obvious. Even I could feel it. Not sure why the other surgeon never noticed it. But, he said it isn't something that needs to be operated on right now and with my history it can wait. I am high risk for infection due to immune system problems - I just got out of the hospital last week after being septic from a kidney stone that decided to try to pass but was too big and got stuck right before my kidney stone surgery was scheduled. I went in to have the surgery and had 102.7 and didn't even know it. They cancelled the surgery to blast the stones but when they found out the stone was obstructing the ureter, they had to take me in anyway to insert a stent. Now surgery is next week. My surgeon said I could wear a binder to hold the hernia flat if I want to, it might help the pain but I am leary since things pressing on my abdomen seam to hurt more, so I will just live with it for now.
The best part of the visit was that I showed him where I have tons of pain - near the area where I had the iliostomy. He felt around and said that there is alot of scar tissue and he can inject it to break up the scar tissue. I was game if it would help. So, he injected with novacaine and steroids - then massaged the area for about 10 minutes and said to do that about 3 times per day for a few days and use a heating pad if needed. By massaging the area with the steroids you can actually break up the scar tissue - I had never heard of that but it is working - so far the pain is almost gone in that area. He told me if it comes back or if I have another spot in that area, to come back in 1 month and he can inject again.
So, anyone with alot of scar tissue - ask your surgeon for steroid injections directly into the scar tissue - then massage it for 10 - 15minutes atleast 3 times per day for a few days - it really works.
The NUT part of the visit was kind of useless - she is a great NUT don't get me wrong but I am in a strange situation. Since my surgeries this past winter when they removed a large part of my colon and more of small intestines, I have severe malabsorbtion and have to eat enourmous amounts of foods in order to not lose too much weight. When I went into the hospital for the week, I wasn't doing my normal snacking and high calorie eating and I lost 10 pounds which I can't afford to do. So, there isn't really much the NUT can do for me since I can't follow any normal post op WLS diet. I feel guilty eating all the things I have been taught not to eat but that is the only way I can either stay at the same weight and in some cases I need to gain weight after boughts of weight loss. I did get a slip for labs from her, so that was good since I don't see my Endocrinologist for another month and really need to get things checked.
So, although things are kind of crazy for me right now and have been for the past year, I did have some positive come out of yestardays visit.
Just a brief synopsis - had surgeries for bowel obstruction, perforated colon - became septic, needed an iliostomy, G tube - lucky to be alive. 3 month later, the iliostomy was reversed. That was in February.
Now, November and I am still in pain - never went away. So, I did have a new CT scan 2 weeks ago to make sure no new bowel obstruction or anything and thank goodness all was fine. So, surgeon did a very thorough exam of me and he said a few things - first off, he said I have an incisional hernia - he said since when CT scans are done lying down, our insides are all nicely lying flat and no incisional hernias are usually found. They only come out when we are standing up and they don't do CT scan that way. So, when I was standing up = he could feel it and when I coughed it was very obvious. Even I could feel it. Not sure why the other surgeon never noticed it. But, he said it isn't something that needs to be operated on right now and with my history it can wait. I am high risk for infection due to immune system problems - I just got out of the hospital last week after being septic from a kidney stone that decided to try to pass but was too big and got stuck right before my kidney stone surgery was scheduled. I went in to have the surgery and had 102.7 and didn't even know it. They cancelled the surgery to blast the stones but when they found out the stone was obstructing the ureter, they had to take me in anyway to insert a stent. Now surgery is next week. My surgeon said I could wear a binder to hold the hernia flat if I want to, it might help the pain but I am leary since things pressing on my abdomen seam to hurt more, so I will just live with it for now.
The best part of the visit was that I showed him where I have tons of pain - near the area where I had the iliostomy. He felt around and said that there is alot of scar tissue and he can inject it to break up the scar tissue. I was game if it would help. So, he injected with novacaine and steroids - then massaged the area for about 10 minutes and said to do that about 3 times per day for a few days and use a heating pad if needed. By massaging the area with the steroids you can actually break up the scar tissue - I had never heard of that but it is working - so far the pain is almost gone in that area. He told me if it comes back or if I have another spot in that area, to come back in 1 month and he can inject again.
So, anyone with alot of scar tissue - ask your surgeon for steroid injections directly into the scar tissue - then massage it for 10 - 15minutes atleast 3 times per day for a few days - it really works.
The NUT part of the visit was kind of useless - she is a great NUT don't get me wrong but I am in a strange situation. Since my surgeries this past winter when they removed a large part of my colon and more of small intestines, I have severe malabsorbtion and have to eat enourmous amounts of foods in order to not lose too much weight. When I went into the hospital for the week, I wasn't doing my normal snacking and high calorie eating and I lost 10 pounds which I can't afford to do. So, there isn't really much the NUT can do for me since I can't follow any normal post op WLS diet. I feel guilty eating all the things I have been taught not to eat but that is the only way I can either stay at the same weight and in some cases I need to gain weight after boughts of weight loss. I did get a slip for labs from her, so that was good since I don't see my Endocrinologist for another month and really need to get things checked.
So, although things are kind of crazy for me right now and have been for the past year, I did have some positive come out of yestardays visit.
You certainly deserve a positive Dr visit after all the problems. Glad the injection is giving you some relief.
66 yrs young, 4'11" hw 220, goal 120 met at 12 months, cw 129 learning Maintainance
Between 35-40 BMI? join us on the Lightweight board. the Lightweight Board
Wow - what a report! I'm so glad you're getting some answers for your pain, I know that can be very frustrating.
I know your labs will be good as you're such an advocate about vitamins, but with the severe malabsorption I'm sure it will be peace of mind for you to know.
Thanks for the updates. I do look forward to your posts to see how you are doing.
I know your labs will be good as you're such an advocate about vitamins, but with the severe malabsorption I'm sure it will be peace of mind for you to know.
Thanks for the updates. I do look forward to your posts to see how you are doing.
HW-218/SW-208/CW-126/ Lowest Weight-121/Goal-125 - hit 8/23/09/Height-5'3"
Regain 30 lbs from 2012 to 2016 - got back on track and lost it. Took 8 months.
90+/- pounds lost BMI - 24 or so
Starting BMI between 35 and 40ish?
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