Question:
MY MOTHER HAD OPEN RNY ON MARCH 26TH. SHE STAYED IN THE HOSPITAL FOR 6 DAYS BECAUSE

HER KIDNEYS WOULDNT FUNCTION PROPERLY AT FIRST. SHE ACTUALLY GAINED 25 POUNDS IN THOSE SIX DAYS. A FEW DAYS AFTER COMMING HOME, HER INCISION BURST OPEN AND FLUID DRAINED LIKE CRAZY. AT THE SURGEONS OFFICE, THEY DRAINED ABOUT A LITER OF FLUID. IT IS NOW OVER TWO MONTHS LATER AND HER BODY IS STILL MAKING THIS ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF FLUID, SO MUCH SO THAT SHE HAS AN OPEN WOUND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INCISION LINE. THIS HAS BEEN HEALING SLOWLY, BUT THE FLUID HAS BUILT UP AND OTHER SPOTS ARE NOW LEAKING. HAS ANYONE EXPERIENCED THIS? WHAT DID THEY DO TO STOP THE FLUID? HELP!!! SHE FEELS SICK ALL THE TIME FROM THE FLUID BUILD UP IN HER ABDOMEN AND CANNOT CONVINCE THE SURGEON THAT THE FLUID HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE NAUSEA. THIS IS GROSE, BUT AFTER IT GUSHES OUT, SHE FEELS IMMEDIATE RELIEF. ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED.    — christina K. (posted on June 6, 2003)

June 5, 2003
I have no experience with this type of situation and cannot offer you any advice. Just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear of your mother's distress. Do as much research on this as you can and be sure either she or you really makes the surgeon listen! Take care and God Bless - Anna
   — Anna L.

June 5, 2003
As a layman only, if she feels relief after the fluid is expelled, it may be that the PRESSURE of all that fluid was making her feel nauseas, not the actual fluid itself?? Did your mom have kidney problems before the surgery? I'd say if she's not gaining any ground, maybe a University hospital in your state might be the place to request a referral to. This is the kind of place where they teach doctors and have the most up-to-date information about everything.
   — bethybb

June 6, 2003
I can't really offer any advice other than to see if she could see another surgeon for a second opinion - perhaps a general surgeon. Sometimes things like this come under "$&!# happens". The surgeon may be unsure what is causing this and may not know what to do about it. Sounds to me like he would put in some sort of drain to help keep the fluid managable, rather than ignoring it. What does the fluid look like? Is it clear? Or is it cloudy or creamy looking? It may be one of those things that just takes a lot of time to resolve on it's own. The fluid may be coming from fat breaking down inside, depending on what it looks like. That would be something that nothing can be done to stop - it's just something her body is doing. It may also be a reaction to the internal staples or surture material. I hope she is feeling better soon; a very uncomfortable and inconvenient hurdle to have to deal with, to be sure.
   — koogy

June 6, 2003
Hi-Don't know if this may have anything to do with it, but you may want a doctor to check to see if this has anything to do with there being a leak in the bowel. When I had a colostomy removed my incision burst open with fluid (lt brown, cloudy, and smelled) and it was found that my bowel had a leak! They originally though that I had an infection so we kept cleaning it for about 2 weeks and then I just kept getting weaker and went back to the dr's. When they ran some tests they found the leak! Had to have a 'new' colosomy put in to resolve it! Anyway, it is important that she be checked to make sure that the bowel is not leaking, this can be really serious if left unattended. Good Luck! Sheryl H
   — Sheryl H.

June 6, 2003
I don't have an answer about the fluid leaking from the incision but I do know that decreased kidney function is one of the immediate side effects of this surgery. Sounds as if your mother's is hanging on more than most people's but it is a side effect. I believe i would get another docs opinion if I were her.
   — Delores S.