CAMom

Today is day 10 so I removed my own stitches (which is totally easy). A lot of people feel comfortable doing so, so I said... I can do it too. Well, 2 of my 5 incisions were not fully sealed (one of the big ones and one of the small ones) and now I have 2 big holes. They are sealed from the inside.. so its not like my insides are exposed or anything. I read these will heal from the inside out. Is that correct? I've never had stitches before. How should I treat this. I just put a bandaid over it real tight so the pressure closes it back up... however this wont allow it to dry out. Did any of you have this problem? I don't have medical insurance so if it will heal on its own and its a normal thing... then I will skip a trip to a doctor.

From what I was told (nurses)... Keep it DRY, bandage it, clean it twice a day from the shower, and no creams or neosporin. I had two big holes and I freaked out. I tried butterfly bandages but they did not work. They weren't sticky enough, so I went to Walgreens (only place I could locate them) and got sterile strips. They are REALLY sticky and might even irritate your skin a little but its worth it to hold that hole together. Mine are finally healed but without those sterile strips... who knows. It will take a couple week of changing those sterile strips, spraying the incisions but most important.. keep them dry and clean. If they feel warm to the touch at all or begin to get unusually red then its time to go back to the doctor because they may be infected. Mine were open (one was really open), and I took care of them all at home and I am fine now. One of the scars is just a lil bigger than the others but just use mederma for a month or two (after they are fully closed and healed). Good luck. :thumbup1:

Grateful Heart - I sometimes forget that I was sleeved and just drink naturally (chug).. and then mid swallow realize.. OMG.. what am I doing??? lol I know that feeling you are talking of. I also get it sometimes when I eat and forget to CHEW enough. I get a lot of flem in my throat and that makes it worse... A quick trip to the bathroom relieves the pain. :thumbup: lol There is simply too much air in a small area. I feel like a baby that needs to be burped.. and if its not a careful burp.. I'm losing it like a baby would. lol KK - I was self pay and went to Mexico. I didn't have 10+ grand for my procedure so when I decided on my VSG, self paying was not an option. After I researched... I found an amazing doctor and got my sleeve for $5200 which was more doable. $5200 is WAY different than 10k, right? After some debate with my husband... lol... I went to Mexico. My doctor was Dr. Almanza and he has great reviews on here. There is not ONE thing that worried me or that I disliked while I was there. My biggest concern while finding a doctor wasn't whether he was in a big fancy hospital... it was how many good reviews I could find from his patients... and I found the most positive reviews for Dr. Almanza. It was great, safe, and I got my sleeve for only $5200. Just an option you have.

Thankfully I have no drainage. :thumbup1: I kept bandages on it but everyone has said... remove and keep it dry. The bandaids wasn't allowing it to dry today. I'm gonna wash twice a day and watch them closely. I wont use peroxide or creams and just stick with antibiotic spray or soap. Thanks for input!

I was told remove in 10 days... is that not the norm?

Thanks everyone! I am home and feeling great really. I am down 10lbs in 4 days and I feel good. My incisions look good. I am spraying em and cleaning them often and taking my antibiotics! I can't believe I am actually on the other side now. :biggrin0: I feel so so good! Thanks again! up2me - good luck and a speedy recovery to you on Wednesday! katldy - It's finally here!!! Today is your day! Congrats and my thoughts are with you today for a speedy recovery! snickersgirl9 - I left Sunday afternoon so I'm not there today. Hope you have a uneventful surgery today and a speedy recovery!

I'm out of surgery! :scared0: Make room on the losers bench for ME! I am out of surgery and feeling much better here at the recovery house. I got a nice warm shower and new dressings and just sitting in and getting comfortable. I met Pat and Laurie from the forums here and both are just great! Hi girls!!! Dr. Almanza was great and I am very pleased with my stay here. The food smells SO ABSOLUTELY AMAZING downstairs... but I can't have any. Boo! lol We have Clear liquids today and tomorrow FINALLY we can have some broth. I can not wait! My idea of a good meal right now... lets see... a biscuit with a touch of butter (craving it!), some salted noodles, and a little chicken breast marinated with some italian dressings. YUM! Can you tell I am hungery? lol I know a lot of people said they weren't hungry at all after surgery... but I am starving it seems. The hunger pains could be gas tho. ha I had a popsicle and it was good but a bit too sweet for my taste. I am ready for some salty broth. When I get home and I am comfortable, I will detail all about my experience here. It was great and I would highly recommend Dr. Almanza, Dr Betancourt and their staff.

Good luck on your surgery. Its coming up fast! My VSG is tomorrow!!!! It will be here before you know it.

I'll be in Mexico on the 9th, surgery on the 10th with Dr Almanza! I'll be leaving right before you are arriving. :lol0: :blushing: Hope your surgery goes well! Shame we couldn't be VSG surgery buddies but keep in touch on here and we can be online VSG buddies!

Hi girls... Dr. Aceves is not going to be in surgery that weekend March 12-14. He has a conference he is going to attend. I am looking into the 19th now with 'Stuck'. MlkPas - Still set on going local? If you do schedule for the 19th, let us know! KRYSTL166 - I have the same price for march. :thumbup1:

march 19th is a considered date of mine as well. The coordinator I was talking to has given me the 5th and the 19th. I still have some deciding to do.. but I will send you a msg if I choose the 19th. :wink1: I'm definitely getting sleeved in March!

KRYSTL166 - make sure to get going on the passport. just in case! I had a little panic attack yesterday when I couldn't find mine. FINALLY found it and whew! what a relief. lol Good luck getting financed! Once you get an $$$ approval they can fit you in quickly so you'll be sleeved before you know it! bonafidediva - I have emailed and asked for a surgery date of the 11th or the 13th. I might see you there! katldy - Since you have to stay there til the 11th, I might be arriving as your leaving. I've asked for a surgery date on either the 11th or the 13th (12th was booked). Good surgery thoughts your way!!! Stuck - I'm not driving to Mexicali. Just to San Diego and will be picked up by their transport. I'm too scared to go there alone. HAHA I've never been to Mexico even though I live so close.

My coordinator is Nina. If you want her email, it is aaceves@hotmail.com Maybe they all use the same one? There was no available appointments for the 12th so it looks like I will be scheduled for either the 5th or the 19th. I'd really like to find a buddy to be there with so I haven't picked my date just yet. Probably the 5th though. I live in Southern California so I will be driving to San Diego. I just need to make sure I will be able to drive back home on Monday. 5 days in mexico!!! omg! We have all the same reasoning. Everyone I have told about this just says I don't need it. I hold my weight well but I still have a BMI of 34-36 depending on the scale. No matter what I do I just can't move the scale the last few years so I KNOW this is the answer! I am sure I will regret it afterwards like you with all this nervousness and bad supporters... but we need to think long term. We have already done the research! WE KNOW this is the answer and this will aid our weight loss. I am just so excited! I'll ask if they have any appointments closer to the 12th. I would love to have a buddy to talk to while there and walk the halls with!!!

I will be scheduling my appointment tomorrow and I am hoping for the 12th, possibly the 13th. How many sleeves does he do a day? :smile: Would be great to have some buddies to meet while I am there. I am going alone too! SO NERVOUS!