Question:
Seeking others who have experienced wound infections after an open RNY

I had an open rny on May 16, and I had an infection to set up on my wound. I am miserable because of this. I have to go and get a pulsi-vac done on my wound everyday to help clear up the infection. How long does an infection last. It has been 20 days so far. Any information will be greatly appreciated.    — Gene F. (posted on June 7, 2003)

June 7, 2003
i have never had a wound infection but being an R.N., I have taken care of some pretty bad ones. How long it lasts is an individual thing. You are doing the right thing with the wound vac. Just give it time. Good luck!!!!
   — Delores S.

June 7, 2003
I ended up with an infection post op after an open RNY. You can read the details on my profile page. I ended up being off work 3 months and still have a small open wound that I pack daily myself now. I am sure it varies by person, I would not use my experience as a measure of what yours will be and OH YES I'd have teh surgery again in a heartbeart. In 6 months I have lost 125 lbs!
   — George B.

June 7, 2003
Hi there, Gene! I ended up having a wound infection also. The doctor suspects I may have come home with it after my surgery. I Was in a terrible amount of pain and I could barely walk without holding my tummy and I even wore a binder. I also ended up back in the hospital for another 5 days , so it was appr. a little over a month that I had the infection. My surgeon and a Doctor of Infectious Medicine ended up treating the infection aggressively so they wouldn't have to go back in and drain it. And that was fine with me, I would have rather stank from all the antibiotics than end up in the OR again. Whatever your Dr. tells you, do. I will keep a good thought for you. Vi. open RNY 9/23/02 down 142 lbs.
   — Vi F.

June 7, 2003
I had a seroma form 7 days post-op from open RNY and had to be reopened and then heal from there. (see my profile for more) It's a bump in the road, but it WILL get better. Your protein intake is crucial for healing as well. I was back at work 3 days after being released from the second surgery (because I HAD to be). This too shall pass. There are many seroma stories here- check the library for more. You are not alone.
   — Karen N.

June 12, 2003
Hi Gene! Well, I didn't experience any wound infection. Actually, I had no complications...FROM WLS, BUT, the anesthesiologist ripped a 1-inch tear in my esophagus. It bled a while, scared me a bit. It's all healed now. Some might say what they will about the LAP RNY having leaks, staple line disruptions, yada,yada, yada...It's the "gold standard". When you have a knowledgeable, internationa, well-known AND/OR highly skilled surgeon that especially can do LAP anything, and you have complete confidence in him/her, everything will go fine. The surgical team that operated on me...well, I won't go too much into it here. It's a long story. At your convenience, check out my profile. I will say that the surgeon that operated on me was under the mentorship of another well-known surgeon that accepts patients from all over the United States and other countries. Yes, even Belgium, Russia and who knows where else. I chose the RNY because I NEEDED the discipline that "dumping" brought about. For ME, had I decided on DS or Lap Band, BDP/DS, VGB or the like, I'd probably end up gaining the weight back. Not putting any of them down, it's just that LAP RNY worked for me as far as volume, restriction and not absorbing (the malabsorption factor). Infection NEVER entered my mind! Even though bleeding, different complications, infections, emboli/embolus, etc...is/can be expected in ANY surgical procedure. I'm VERY happy that I chose the type that I did! I knew the main surgeon's academic and skilled record, but I didn't know ANYTHING about the gentleman that performed my surgery. In fact, I was his VERY FIRST PATIENT!!I wish I could give you his name, but I am going to be compliant. Feel free to email me for additional information~only if you're interested. I'm most grateful for them saving my life and allowing me to experience my new life free from pain (reduced substantially), ridicule, a life I've never known and no longer a diabetic, no longer taking 15-16 pills per day!! I only take blood pressure medication and in the next month or two will be off of it! I couldn't walk. Walked with a cane before (so embarrassing) hurt my pride. Did not leave the house for anything but to go to work. When I went grocery shopping, I had to ride in a scooter, and went home in a taxi. Enough rambling...I'm just forever grateful (and in this order) for AMOS-this website FIRST, then comes all of this "community" and the the talents, love and support you get here. If ever someone gives me the opportunity to talk about WLS and where they can go for support, do I really have to tell you where I direct them? I think you already know...Now I'm in pursuit of a dual MBA. Best wishes in everything you do! LAP RNY 9/3/02-5'2"-265/158/115-126...and currently on a plateau~I believe due to stress from my job. Hadiyah McCutcheon, a.k.a. ~~~
   — yourdivaness