Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Itchy, Swollen Lap Band Surgery Incision Areas?



Recommended Posts

I got my staples removed about a week ago. The past two days, my incision areas have been extremely itchy to the point where I can't stop myself from scratching all over. I woke up in the middle of the night last night because they were so itchy and I had to put lotion over my whole stomach! It's not like it's a constant worry of mine, because the itchiness comes and goes. About ten minutes ago I began scratching again and I looked down and noticed all five of my incision areas are swollen! Not red or anything, but warm and irritated. I know it's because I've been scratching and messing with them, but I'm worried now that I have infected something. My port has a huge hump over it now and I'm so deathly afraid that I've messed something up. Only two of my bandages have fallen off and I've been putting Vitamin E over them like the doctor said. A few minutes ago I added Neosporin over all of my swollen areas and it feels better now but I'm still really really worried.

Am I in deep trouble?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Have you tried taking an antihistamine?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

its very common for healing inscions to swell and itch,i use a topical cortizone and it worked great.good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Mine are on fire too, but I didnt have staples, just the little strips of gauze over them. I had my surgery on 12/12 and just the past few days they are driving me insane. I have all but one piece left on there, but I'm glad so I dont scratch off the parts that are trying to heal. I've heard it goes away, i just keep lotion and oil on there and it seems to help.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Mine was done on 12-14 and i also had the internal desolvable stitches and Steristrip covering them and the steristrips really made my skin just crawl!!!!!at my 7 day checkup the Doctor said it was ok to remove them so i did.the adhesive really made the skin red and itchy.Cortizone was the only thing that helped.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My goodness! My incisions started itching at 1 mont post op! I have tried Cortizone, no luck. It is contact dermatitis except I cannot figure out what it is in contact with. The glue has been gone for weeks! I have tried antihistamines also, they just make me tired though. My next option is calamine lotion! My next option will be a prescription cream!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My problem was'nt so much with my incisions but from every where they used surgical tape to mark off the surgical field. I was really allergic to that tape (totally genetic my mother has the same problem). I was afraid to take an antihistamine orally so I used a topical cream from the pharmacy. I would talk to your doctor and see whether you can take something orally or use a cream.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I was banded on 12/16 and 2 days later all of my incision sites were fire red and itching like crazy. I also had little red bumps all over my stomach. Went to the dr, and he said i was having an allergic reaction to the glue. He removed the glue and wrote me a script for a steroid, just finished taking my last pill and all the redness and itching is now gone...I also used Benedryl cream.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

i also had staples and my incisions were red and itchy especially the port incision had begun to get infected. i found out i was Allergic to Nickel. Staples are titanium but have nickel in them so u can develop allergic reaction. i had to go see dr and he saw incisions and said if redness warm and tender skin continued to call back. well i developed infection and had to be put on liquid Keflex 4 times a day. if it continues pls go see dr

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Eve411

      April Surgery
      Am I the only struggling to get weight down. I started with weight of 297 and now im 280 but seem to not lose more weight. My nutrtionist told me not to worry about the pounds because I might still be losing inches. However, I do not really see much of a difference is this happen to any of you, if so any tips?
      Thanks
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Clueless_girl

      Well recovering from gallbladder removal was a lot like recovering from the modified duodenal switch surgery, twice in 4 months yay 🥳😭. I'm having to battle cravings for everything i shouldn't have, on top of trying to figure out what happens after i eat something. Sigh, let me fast forward a couple of months when everyday isn't a constant battle and i can function like a normal person again! 😞
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×