Happy Camper

Paula thank goodness. You are in the right place we all want you to be okay and that was scary. Rest to gain strength, then as you start to move you will feel better. I hope they also confirm what is causing your tightness. Please do let us know how you are doing.... UX - we really are well intentioned. Personally, I only wanted to be a part of a community that was supportive and sometimes it means a little "urging" but definitely for the right reasons:) Take care all

Thanks Lissa I sent a pm also but did not get response. Thanks for letting us know. Hugs to her we were all concerned.

I am glad you called. Honestly at this point I am shocked the on call doctor did not want you back in because of your fluid intake. Are you keeping a log of your food and fluids? Please do take care and let us know how it goes, really hope the drain pain ends quickly.

Please let us know how it goes, we want you to be well and successful in your journey. Hugs Sandy

I am back like Lissa saying again please call your doctor. You will dehydrate and get worse....CALL. Lissa, Longer-Life and I have all had our sleeves, please call don't wait. Posting here will only get you our experience, we are not physcians but you could cause more issues by waiting.

Hi 5DogMa, I am sorry you are in pain. My drain tube it's self never hurt me. Draining the line to the tube or emptying the tube never hurt. I never felt it really in my tummy, it was all immediately after it was removed. Does not sound right to me at all. Honestly your surgeons office should have on-call, if I were you I would call and at a minimum talk to your doctor ASAP. This honestly is nothing to just live with...please call. I do not want to frighten you but, I was lucky the infection did not go deeper. It is worth the check. I can tell you my complication charges are over $40,000 much more than my surgery, it is worth getting on top of this for your health and to potentially stop it from becoming worse. Take care of yourself, Sandy

I had my VSG then developed abscess where my drain was located and had to go back under for surgery to remove within 2.5 weeks. I did find I was glad I had been working my lungs with the breathing tool and getting out the yuk prior to my second surgery, which was through the ER. If you are still uncomfortable, I would call and see if you could talk with anastegiologist (sp?) and ask if they can share any info with you. Good luck.

I have been looking around and maybe I have missed it on this forum but, I am not finding information/experience from folks that suggests anyone has had a change in skin texture? Over the past week or so I have really noticed my skin feels different and definitely has moved into the dry side. I take all my Vitamins daily, get in my Protein, Water, walking etc. Just curious if it is just me? Appreciate any suggestions to correct as well. Thanks everyone.

Drink slowly...sip,sip,sip. Also walk. You have lots of gas still and the walking will help. Try Luke warm broth slowly it helped me. Good luck on your journey.

VFB congratulations! Glad all went well for you. Take care!

I think part of the concern is the caffeine is a stimulant and makes you hungry. I am 5 weeks out and had a decaf nonfat latte (which still has caffeine) with sugar free vanilla syrup and splenda. Early on i would just drink warm decaf tea.

Hi Pegsinthewoods, Yes you are correct no leak, they did CT scan to confirm but it was a complication from the sleeve surgery. So other things can happen and I just want to help folks realize the importance of listening to their bodies. At my lowest point, alone in the ER and exhausted there was a moment I asked myself what have I done. But it did not last long, God has a plan for me and I am on the road to recovery. Please do not let this "scare" you. I was scared when my doctor said eventually I could die from my obesity and related conditions. Now I am excited and continue to look forward to good health. Good luck to you and keep us informed on your journey.

Libbe hang in there sending you hugs from Northern Cali. What about the exterminator is he feeling this is it, I HOPE.

CAUTION this may be TMI!!!! Just wanted to share update after seeing the surgeon for the first time since the abscess surgery. Basically he went in above the site where the drain was located and extracted tissue. He said the site of the drain was the culprit, as the involved tissue went all the way to the pareteneial layer. He could see it all the way where the drain was located. Essentially about 4 to 5 inches into my stomach, he said it was deep. So they extracted the tissue and left the wound open (my initial surgery was laproscopic, now I will have large scar in midldle of stomach) from there they sprinkle in special cell growth stimulating powder and repack it with special guaze, cover it and I have to take it easy. I go back in another week (they are located 3 hours away- one way), but thatnis what I get for living remote. Interesting note he said he saw another woman just last week who had the same thing but bigger and she did not have a drain, only an open spot on her stomach. I asked if we knew the bacterial or how it happened and he said no. Just about impossible to determine. I questioned the natural anti-bacterial soap and my well Water, ultimately he said just have no idea how or why it happened to me.

Hi Veda, DebiC, SLL and our expert thinoneday, Veda definitely good to listen to your body. Sorry you were in ER, I know what it is like to end up in ER and have secondary surgery within 2weeks of having VSG. So please do continue to move forward just maybe a little slower. DebiC, I think I read you like lemonade with sugar, maybe a little soon for that acid please just take your time. We need to think of our tummies like baby tummy. In time we will get back to those special treats. SLL wow woman, with 3 little ones...that is exercise. You may benefit for some "me" time. Make sure you do just that. Thin...thanks for keeping us in check with your experience. Agree Veda LOVE the support from this site. Thanks goes out to Alex for making this possible. The positive support real life experiences are so valuable. Take care all Sandy

Ceecee, Geno, Luvata, Healthy, Vegas, congratulations to all of you! It will take time and as long as we all stay positive and continue to support via this forum it gets easier, right Longer-Life I am thankful for this opportunity to share with folks of different stages in this journey. It truly is just that to me because it is new. We all have to retrain our thoughts about food, timing, quantity and quality. Think about all those late night fast food stops because it was convenient. Really? What does it do for us, today we become stronger individuals and have control over cravings and when/what we eat. Please let's all make a goal to get that water in...it helps for everyone if you are 5 days out or now like me 27 days (including my second complication surgery). We must get the hydration and protein in to promote healing. We CAN do it. Look what we have all accomplished to this point. Hey Longer, thanks for keeping up the list of banana babes. Hello to sandy123 hope you are doing well. Take care all!

Stronger1, I did not have a leak (thank you God) but I developed an abscess where they put the drain tube which ended me back in ER for second surgery. My doc used the new, what he called "black staples" and puts steri strip over the staples. He said nothing has been proven if it reduces or eliminates the risk of leaks. The best surgeon he said uses nothing. He went on to draw me a picture of the most common area for leaks, which is just at the top at the narrowing near the esophagus and near the pylorus as they are the most narrow and fragile areas and not much to use for the staple area. Mememee on here, Libbe had a leak which was discovered by accident, luckily. Not sure exactly where it was. Talk to your doctor and see what he/she uses or not. The other thing is he explained RNY has about the same number of staples just in different spots. Good luck. Sandy

Cuteascanbelizzie, My surgery was November 1 and I live just over 3 hours from the hospital. I was released on Thursday which was two days post op and we traveled home on Saturday. You would want to take it slow and stop and walk (walking so important), sip, sip while traveling. This is just my personal experience, best to double check with your doctor. If you do return in same day you might be exhausted so staying overnight may be helpful if you can. Good luck on your journey and sorry for your loss. Sandy

Lissa that is wonderful! I bet your son is congratulating his mom too. Today is a day to give thanks. Surely you are more healthy today than before your sleeve and carrying 1/3 less around on you knees, back, feet etc. Great job!

Veda, Congratulations! Seriously I have not seen anyone released from hospital same day. That is amazing. Did you have pre-op diet to follow? Maybe your liver was in good shape and your health overall is just in a good place for this surgery. What stats did your surgeon have? Mine had performed 41 sleeves so I felt comfortable, although I had wished he had more experience but he has had much success with RNY and good education. Wow! Here is to continued success. Sandy

Libbe, Wow I remember your excitement for the surgery. Now your lungs are involved, what is the long term diagnosis did doc say? I had a friend who had RNY, developed a leak, ended up at UCSF where they saved his life. Through all of it he would do it again because of the huge amount of weight he has lost. For me, those are the things I look at, where would my fatty liver and enlarged heart be in a few more years if I did not do this. Kathy, there are risks. However many people do just fine. I think Tiffykins is one who had shared lots of research information that helped me. But you have to rely on your body and your surgeon. The drain does not hurt at all and not all doctors use them. I liked the thought that if I had a leak you could see it in the drain (my doc said eat a pop cycle if the color changes we have an issue...no color change). Unlike RNY you can develop a leak later in your healing. Or like Libbe they miss it at first but they did find it which was fortunate. She has definitely had a rough time and my prayers and positive thoughts go to her. She listened to her body, it is difficult because you are not quite sure what the norm is post surgery but eventually you get there. These are bumps in the road. We must remain optimistic and we will heal

Loner-life thanks so much for asking about me. Wow, what a gem. I am hanging in there it was tough to accept the night in the ER that I was back and needing to go under again so soon. That was my low but hey they are working on me and I am taking lots of antibiotics feeling better today for sure. HOW ARE YOU? Do you have good support at home? I hope so because that definitely helps. If you are allowed and can find it try Gatorade 2. It is low in sugar and gives you electrolytes. I find when I drink a bottle I do feel better I am just cautious on the calories. To me grape is best and refreshing but all are good. Take care of yourself and remember to rest also Smiles, Sandy

Hi guys, Lissa it was me who developed an abscess and i have not found anyone else. I am an extremely clean professional woman (age 46). When I went back to get the drain removed on day 9 (I had been allowed to shower as well), my tummy had some stabbing feeling but just a bit and they said nothing about it, by 2 days or so after the removal, I knew I was in trouble. The opening was healing but it was discolored and the site was hard and hot. I was admitted last Tuesday for emergency surgery to clean it out, luckily it was contained in my peritoneal cavity and did not spread. I now have an opening in my stomach area which is completely covered by gauze and go back next Tuesday. This has been a set back to me but, today I feel better. I am taking lots of suspension antibiotics as well. Normally other than my obesity related issues I am in good health. Don't smoke or drink. I ride ATVs, go for walks with my hubby, we camp etc. So far as I rethink everything, we live remote area on a few acres. We have well Water and I am not sure if that did it or I went to Whole Foods and got natural antibacterial soap and used that right after they pulled the drain so maybe that caused it just not sure. The thing I learned is they can help you. Don't be scared. If you need this, only you can make the decision. Hey Lisa they never gave me a lanyard. I used a tie my husband made and pinned the bulb to that. Never thought aout lanyard that is a good one.

Congrats Longer-Life woo hoo!! You have been very positive for many on this site and hopefully you too feel the support. My surgery was November 1. Then I developed an abscess at my drain site causing me to go to ER for surgery 3 days ago (Weds) was released Thursday with cell growing material packed in my tummy to stimulate healing from inside out so I have a large open wound right now, but getting better. Seems like just a stumbling block along the way. Lots of love and support makes all the difference. Take care and go babes! Sandy

OH Libbe, My goodness. I promised myself right before and after my surgery I would stay away from the complications board. I am so very sorry you are going through this. It was very difficult for me when last Friday I had my drain removed and I developed an abscess in my tummy area. I ended up in the ER for 10 hours overnight then stayed the night just to have another surgery where they left my cavity open and put in some growth mesh so it could heal from the inside out. I cried, how could this happen? I just wanted to be healthy this was the time I asked myself what have I done.... Hugs and prayers you get better soon. I return to the surgeon on the 28th to check my packing and make next steps. Please let us know how you are feeling. Sandy