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

Recommended Posts

I had surgery 9 days ago, yesterday I started getting an itchy rash around all of my incisions. I called the doc at the weight loss center, they told me to take Benadryl. Do you think I should call my actual surgeon?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You may be having a reaction to the tape-like substance put over you for the surgery and for the dressings. It happens to me to a small extent. That adhesive is nasty stuff. I put a little tea tree oil on it and it helps. The IV port dressing in the curve of my elbow was the worst. I have friends that every time the epidural patch - which is like 12" by 12" - is on her - she gets a blistered reaction.

My understanding is that there is a sheet of this stuff on your abdomen for the surgery.

If the antihistamines don't work, then yes - call the doc.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had four incisions and two of them got blisters the size of a dime where the tape and band-aids were. As soon as I could change over to gauze and bandage tape, I did.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My incisions were all covered with what I was told was suture glue and that it would wear away in about two weeks. It was to cover the incisions to keep them sterile, not what was actually holding the skin together. Instead of lasting two weeks, all 5 fell off within 4 days, and I was left with raised, angry looking red welts at itched to no end.

Benadryl did nothing for me.

I spoke to my surgeon who said to keep them dry except during showering, and to not put pressure on them from the shower. To wash with soap gently, and to allow Water to 'trickle' down on them from Water hitting above. Then after the shower, to put a thin cloth over them and put an gel pack I had in the freezer. Not ice, but a gel pack that is not as cold. It relieved the itchy feeling for several hours. The red welts were there for over 2 weeks, but the itchy feeling passed in a few days for me.

When I saw the surgeon for the first post-op appointment, he said 'wow, your skin does not like adhesives!'

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

probably adhesives. i also had bad rashes and VERY gently washed the area with hand sanitizer to remove the adhesive. i switched to gauze pads and paper tape. i also had a reaction to the bp cuff left on during surgery(plastic?). i do not have a latex allergy. the above, benadryl, and time took care of it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

By the time I hit 9 days I was ready to claw the steri-strips off with a rake. Saw Sx postop that day and she gave me adhesive remover and told me I could take the steris off. Soooo much better!!

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

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 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

    ×