Re: battling the steady scale

[Guest guest]

As you know Im one of the newest post-op person in this group I became a

revision 1 month 3weeks ago.

Well...ive been weighing myself every week folks and these last two weeks I

have not lost a pound Another thing I was concern and called Dee was tht

I see this buldging area right side kinda near where they removed the 2

drains and the incesion.This hurts when I cough,sneeze,bend,especially right

after

I eat I feared this is a hernia.Anyhow I explained this to Dee and she said

this happens to some patients.She told me what happened is that I may of had

some drainage liquid still trapped after the drain tubes got removed and that

its as simple as to apply a hot pad over my abdominal for about 2 days.funny

thing here she mention with the heat pad the drain hole would re-open(im

like geez I have 4 drain scars which to look forwards to) and this drain will

come out I explained and stubbornly saying my incesions are soo very sealed

tht I may rather see doc.K. She explained he would have to go in their to pook

and re-opend this drain hole.Again she says its as simple to do the heat pad

procedure at home that it would work.Thing here I been appling a heating pad

2 nights when i go to bed sleep with it on too but yet I dont see any

changes it still this buldging ache.Anyhow Im wondering if any of you had this

experience or have heard about this happening?? Im thinking I oughtta just drive

out to delano see Dr.K if he has to re-open this drain hole then atleat i

wont have to suffer with this pain.

Love and Smile,

~Gabby~

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[Guest guest]

I went through the same thing, except mine was on my lengthwise incision. It

eventually had eight separate openings. Dr. K would put those LONG q-tips in,

just to make sure they stayed open so it could drain. It took two months

before mine quit draining. He also told me about it being dissolved fat. I had

some really weird things come out of a couple of the holes, they looked like

white slugs. He said it was fat and it was not anything to worry about. At the

time it kind of shook me up, as it sure looked weird, but it didn't hurt or

anything. The drainage did smell bad for quite some time, and sanitary pads,

or even old cleans sheets that are absorbent and can be disposed of work,

because at first I had a LOT of drainage. It cost me an arm and a leg for

bandages. I was not home, so I did not have any old things to tear up or I

would

have. I did go through a lot of tape. As I was preparing for surgery, which has

happened yet for my hernia and panni removal, I went and bought boxes of

tape. I bought it a couple at a time before and was forever out. Try to get the

paper tape too, as pretty soon, as much as you have to put on and take off,

the skin gets very sensitive. It really isn't a big deal. More aggravating

than anything. I was not prepared for it was all. No one had mentioned that

happening. I had a couple things happen that I wish I had heard about before

hand. Again, nothing major, just things I could have been a little more

prepared

for. Dee was the one that told me that my openings could drain for two

months, and they did. So you might want to ask her if that might be your case

also.

Then just be prepared to buy bandages and tape in larger quantities, so you

aren't running to the store every day or so. Good luck. Things are going to

be okay.

Pearl

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[Guest guest]

Yes. I have heard of it with the DS and I have experienced it with a

different surgery, different location (further down, shall we say).

The surgeon put a cotton-tipped swab about well, too deep inside me. I

gasped and it was done.

Marta

>Anyhow Im wondering if any of you had this

> experience or have heard about this happening?? Im thinking I oughtta

just drive

> out to delano see Dr.K if he has to re-open this drain hole then

atleat i

> wont have to suffer with this pain.

> Love and Smile,

> ~Gabby~

[Guest guest]

Good idea Jo. No one ,mentioned saran wrap to me. I did use the heating pad

while I was in my recliner. Which is where I slept.

Pearl

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[Guest guest]

Gabby,

" Been there, done that, have the T-shirt to prove it. " ;-)) It takes a

while, but yes, the heating pad works. A word of warning, have LOTS of old

towels or t-shirts handy when it does open. I had a large bulge like you

describe and when it finally opened, it was a real mess for the first few

days. Then it slowed down, but drained for a couple weeks.

Dr. K. did see me about two weeks after it opened, used a L-O-N-G Q-tip

like swab to make sure it was opened properly, then sent me home. I didn't

feel a thing.

A month later, I had another incident and Dr. K. decided I needed some

" help " with keeping these drain holes (I had two by then) open. He used a

forceps to push what appeared to be a latex patch under the skin from one

hole to the other. Again, I didn't feel a thing. ( said she felt it

for me.) LOL

Anyway, it took about six to eight weeks for mine to fully drain and heal

properly.

We went to the local Walgreens and purchased a shower stool. I'd sit in

the tub with a hand-held shower and rinse the drain holes every couple

hours. Eased the discomfort and helped me relax.

says to tell you to get a LOT of sanitary pads to cover the drain

holes and every roll of 2-inch medical paper tape you can get your hands

on. The pads are the best for absorbing the gunk that will be draining and

the tape holds the best and comes off fairly easily. The ONLY place we

were able to find it was Walgreens, and we went through about 6 to 8 rolls

a week.

Hope that helps,

Jerry

BTW.. If I remember correctly, Dr. K. exlained that what was draining was

disolving fat tissue that the body can't absord and dispose of normally.

It can get to be pretty obnoxious smelling unless you keep things rinsed

down.

>As you know Im one of the newest post-op person in this group I became a

>revision 1 month 3weeks ago.

>Well...ive been weighing myself every week folks and these last two weeks I

>have not lost a pound Another thing I was concern and called Dee was tht

>I see this buldging area right side kinda near where they removed the 2

>drains and the incesion.This hurts when I cough,sneeze,bend,especially right

after

>I eat I feared this is a hernia.Anyhow I explained this to Dee and she said

>this happens to some patients.She told me what happened is that I may of had

>some drainage liquid still trapped after the drain tubes got removed and that

>its as simple as to apply a hot pad over my abdominal for about 2 days.funny

>thing here she mention with the heat pad the drain hole would re-open(im

>like geez I have 4 drain scars which to look forwards to) and this drain will

>come out I explained and stubbornly saying my incesions are soo very sealed

>tht I may rather see doc.K. She explained he would have to go in their to pook

>and re-opend this drain hole.Again she says its as simple to do the heat pad

>procedure at home that it would work.Thing here I been appling a heating pad

> 2 nights when i go to bed sleep with it on too but yet I dont see any

>changes it still this buldging ache.Anyhow Im wondering if any of you had this

>experience or have heard about this happening?? Im thinking I oughtta just

drive

>out to delano see Dr.K if he has to re-open this drain hole then atleat i

>wont have to suffer with this pain.

>Love and Smile,

>~Gabby~

[Guest guest]

Gabby...what fun having a newbie posting..lol..it's been a long time

since we got to discuss they yuck and frustrations of

draining...oozing...smelly...incisions that reopen! It does happen as

you have been reading. As soon as that spots opens and starts to drain

the pain will fade away. Keep that heat on it as much as you can. You

may even want to purchase those stick on heat patches so you are not

stuck to a heating pads electrically reach.

When you do start to drain, Sanitary Pads or diapers often come in

handy. Let me share a trick I used to hold an Ice pack on my son

during his wrestling years. Saran Wrap! Place a diaper or pad(s)

where you need them then Wrap your body with saran wrap holding the

pads in place. I'd keep the top area loose to allow air in. The saran

wrap sticks to itself and you don't need any tape, therefore, don't

have to pull tape off your skin constantly, its cheap and easy to get

plenty of it.

Hugs

Jo

[Guest guest]

When you do start to drain, Sanitary Pads or diapers often come in

handy. Let me share a trick I used to hold an Ice pack on my son

during his wrestling years. Saran Wrap! Place a diaper or pad(s)

where you need them then Wrap your body with saran wrap holding the

pads in place.

Did you say DIAPErS for this draining? hahahahaha it sounds funny should I

expect a river to be flowing out of there? But thanx for sharing thoughts and

glad im not alone in this journey.

Love and Smile,

~Gabby~

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[Guest guest]

Wow so lots of you had this same problem I thought I hurted myself casue

this been hurting.Im thinking the heat pad was only to go on at bed time but

some of you saying pretty much all day as much as possible(geez no wonder I

havnt seen a difference here).With this hot weather tho im gonna be hating the

heatpad but gotta do it Thanx people for all your replies to have mention the

diaper and seran wrap trick makes me smile

Love and Smile,

~Gabby~

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[Guest guest]

>funny should I

>expect a river to be flowing out of there?

Gabby,

Initially, you may want to look at it as a 100-year FLOOD!!! ;-))

Jerry

[Guest guest]

>I had

>some really weird things come out of a couple of the holes, they looked like

>white slugs. He said it was fat and it was not anything to worry about.

However, if you have what looks like a black wire mixed in with those white

slugs, STOP whatever you're doing, bandage yourself, and call Dee or Dr. K.

immediately. I had that happen to me, very rare according to the good doc,

but that black " wire " is actually the internal stitches used to close the

incision. That needs to be taken care of by Dr. K. or someone knowledgable

in handling that particular complication.

Jerry

[Guest guest]

Oh wow this was good information you mention to look out for.But you know I

think my best bet is to go see dr.K let him re-open this for me casue here i

am putting on a heat pad some of the day and all night and still it hasnt

reopened and im aching everyday.I do notice tender and little red around those

drain scars with the heatpad moisture making it raw looking perhaps its the

begining sign of reopening who knows .I wish i knew which drain hole should be

opening this away i can just poke thru it myself gently.Im giving myself this

weekend placing the heatingpad if it doesnt reopen thats it im calling Dr.K

monday morning for an appointment.

Love and Smile,

~Gabby~

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[Guest guest]

Gabby

If you're not feeling better by Monday than you really should call the

office and go in. It's always an option you shouldn't feel bad about

using. Dee is just trying to save you a trip to Delano. But sometimes

the trip is just worth it.

Please remember...if you feel you're getting worse, then Call! Even on

weekends. Dee will either help you manage it...or tell you to get your

bottom to an emergency room or to Delano.

Hugs

Jo

[Guest guest]

Yea ure right Jo about not letting so much time pass.I dont feel any worse

just the same pain when I cough,sneeze and after I eat and its not right on my

incesion its right where the drain scars are at.Anyhow Im with this heating

pad night and day right now will see how it goes Ill give till monday. Im

managing to eat more protien and sip more on water so hoping to see those

numbers tipping of the scale.Ive platue 2weeks now and hating that other than

that

Im feeling great from my surgery I havnt had no complications thank god I

just take things easy and find out more and more what I can tolerate.

Love and Smile,

~Gabby~

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