Question:
I had my surgery July 16, 2002. My incision has openened up and is infected.

I am on an antibiotic and have to pack my opening morning and night. I have had blood work done and exrays and now I am going to have a ct scan done to see if anything else is wrong. I think the doctor called it a distoma? Not sure. Has anyone else's incision opened up with drainage.    — Loretta J. (posted on August 14, 2002)

August 14, 2002
Loretta - I feel your pain! I had LAP RNY on 7/3/02. My incision (next to the JP drain site) closed up fine..or so I thought. Then in the 4th week the incision got puffy, like it was filling with fluid. Sure enough that's what it was. Then some fatty tissue broke through, something the doc called a seroma. I had to go in and have it snipped and the incision now looks like a bullet hole in my belly. And yes, I have to pack my incision 2 times a day as well. Fortunately however, mine is not infected. I was able to have a home health care nurse come in and show me how to do things to where I am now more comfortable with the process. A nurse came 2 times the first day, then just in the morning the 2nd day, now just 2 times a week. They also got Medicaid to pay for a bunch of supplies for me to use -- sponges, abdominal pads and 2" paper tape. It has been a blessing! If I were you I would check into this possibility with your surgeon's office. If they call your insurance company they should be able to get prior approval. This service is NOT simply a convenience, as someone said to me. It helps us to feel confident that we are packing the incision properly and will help us heal faster. My primary home health care nurse is an angel...she showed me what I was doing wrong and reassured me that I WILL HEAL. My drainage is simply blood mostly. Make sure you ask for everything you should keep an eye out for, what changes to look for. Mostly right now you need some reassurance. Don't be afraid to ask the surgeon's nursing staff a lot of questions. Good Luck to you! (((HUGS))) - Anna LAP RNY 7/3/02 -49lbs.
   — Anna L.

August 14, 2002
Ahhh, another wonderful side effect of morbid obesity. To do this surgery, your surgeon cut through all sorts of things in your abdomen, muscle, fat, nerves. Fat does not have a significant blood supply, and therefore, has a very difficult time healing. I too had a seroma that I had to pack for a little while and I was on antibiotics. My Doctor did not feel the need to do a CT scan. My incision ended up healing just fine and I am doing great now. Just look at this as one of those things that will not be as much of a problem in the future if you need surgery. Good Luck!!
   — Vicki L.