Gallbladder :: Scab Is Always Opening Up - Umbilical Incision
Had my laparoscopic surgery two weeks ago this coming Monday. MD discharge orders says to remove the steri-strips 2 weeks post. My concern is my belly button. The scab is always opening up especially if I take a shower in the morning or during the day. If I take a shower at night it doesn't seem to open up as much.
I am debating about keeping my umbilical steri-strips in place till I see the doctor this coming Friday for a follow up. My incisions are glued.
Is it common for the belly button scab to do this? I can see fresh pink & maybe a bit of white but nothing oozing in my opinion. Should I keep the steri strips around the incision on? I plan on taking the other steri-strips off.
Ankle :: Boot Pressing On Stapled Incision After Surgery
I fractured my left ankle, the fibula, on March 1st. It was classified as a lateral malleolus fracture. I was put in a splint in the ER and saw an OS two days later, who put me in a fiberglass cast for 4 more weeks. After two weeks, he re x-rayed and said all looked good, so he told me to start putting weight on it over the next few days until I was full weight bearing. It felt better every day and I was sure I was on the path to recovery. At the 4 week point I went back in to hopefully have the cast removed and transition into a walking boot. The cast was cut off and my ankle was x-rayed again to make sure all was still on track. My OS came in a few minutes later and informed me that he did not see any signs that the bone was healing, in fact the area between the break had increased, which he showed me on the x-ray. He said my fracture appeared to be a delayed union and I needed it to be surgically repaired. Not the news I had expected and definitely a setback mentally and emotionally.
I had a plate with 5 screws placed on the outside of my fibula, a compression screw placed up through it and a bone graft done this past Monday, April 6th. I was told I would wake up with a splint on and would most likely be casted or put in a boot at my post-op this coming Thursday, April 16th. When I awoke from the surgery I immediately noticed I had a boot on instead of a splint. I questioned it and the nurse told me my OS thought I would recover quickly and this way I could shower, etc. in a few days. I have 10 staples in the side of my ankle and the rigid side of the boot lays right across my incision. I called my OS's office Wednesday and explained to a nurse that the boot was pressing on my incision so hard that it was almost unbearable. She spoke to my OS who said to assure me that the discomfort is just a normal part of the recovery process and it will get better. I'm now 6 days post-op and have showered, changed bandages, etc. My incision looks great and does not bother me at all until I put my darn boot on, which I am supposed to wear at all times to keep my Achilles tendon stretched. I have tried adding extra padding over my incision under my ace wrap, but the boot still presses hard right up against my incision and causes burning, stinging and just overall discomfort. Has anyone else dealt with this?
Paralyzed With Open Sore On Butt, Sore Not Healing
About a month ago I noticed I had a sore on my left buttox and I picked at it and it turned into an open sore. I went to the doctor and was prescribed the antibiotic keflex. It started to heal a little bit but after 7 days the medicine ran out. It is now an open sore that is always oozing liquid. It won't heal and it's very painful. What do I do?
View 2 RepliesFoot / Ankle :: Bleeding From Incision Tarsal Tunnel Surgery
I had surgery for tarsal tunnel on Tuesday, December 22nd. I've been moving around on crutches, which I find very hard to do. LOL My husband picks at me because he says I am not even coordinated enough to walk on crutches.
Anyway, ever so often I will remove the aircast just to let my foot "breathe". They have an ace bandage all the way up almost to my knee and some type of bandaging underneath the ace bandage.
On the inside of the aircast is a big bloody spot and there is a bloody spot on the ace bandage. Oh, I'd say about 3 to 4 inches long.
Should I be worried that it is bleeding? Or is this normal?
Uterine Fibroids :: Open Myomectomy Surgery - Wonderful Experience
It is 10 days now since I had Open Myomectomy surgery. 32 Fibroids were removed, which surprised me, and I was in hospital for 5 nights. I am now home and getting stronger each day. The days before the surgery were anxious days but at the same time I was looking forward to the sugery and being free from the many symptons that fibroids cause. I had a great surgeon and anathestist and went fully prepared mentally, physically and spiritually for the surgery.
Surgery took 2 hours and remember being brought back to my hospital bed hooked up to IV fluids, catheter, oxygen and equipment on my legs to stop blood clots. Pain was minimal, similar to mild period pain and I was encouraged to use the Morphine pump to manage the pain for 2 days. Morphine did make me feel nauseated which is common. Once I was free from catheter and IVs on day 3 I was encouraged to do my Pelvic exercises and to walk around the hospital corridor. I was given paracetamol and ibuprophen at regular intervals and BP, tempearture and Pulse was moniored on a regular basis, which were all fine. I was encouraged to drink more fluids and had no issues with empyting my bladder or bowels so knew everything was working OK. Getting in and out of bed and sitting up was difficult during the first 5 days but became easier each day. Its amazing how much we rely on our stomach muscles for so many things. Once I was home on Day 6 I started doing very light duties around the house and a 10 minute walk outside plus regular naps whenever I felt fatigue. I can now do 15 minute walks and looking forward to getting stronger each day. I have some swelling around the incision but that is normal at this stage. Will see the surgeon 20 days after my surgery for post-op checks.
Overall my surgery went very well and I am very pleased with the progress I am making. Although Open Myomectomy is major surgery, becasue of the advance in technology, the skills of the surgeon and the excellent pain management and hospital care it is a much easier experience than I thouht it would be.
If you have been told by your consultant that you need Open Myomectomy surgery do not be afraid, focus on the positive aspects of being free of fibroids symptons, read up on the procedure, watch videos of the procedure if your that way inclined, understand the risks, prepare yourself physically and mentally and follow the advice given by your consultant on the aftercare.
I am grateful to God that my surgery went well and I am looking forward to getting back to the gym in dure course and having a better quality of life without fibroids.
Ovarian Cyst :: Open Surgery For Large Cyst While Pregnant
I am going for surgery on a large cyst. I am expecting a baby so I am anxious about having to have surgery during this time. Has anyone been through similar and were ok and the baby was ok?
Also what were your experiences of the surgery pain relief and stitches etc?? Did it take you long to recover. Also if anyone has had this surgery pregnant or not I would love to hear from you but if you were what stage of pregnancy did you have surgery?
Hair Loss After Gallbladder Surgery
I'm about 4 weeks after gallbladder removal. I am loosing my hair... not patches though enough to have to empty my hair brush several times when brushing!
View 1 RepliesGallbladder :: Wine Or Beer After Surgery
More than a little will affect your BMs!
View 1 RepliesGallbladder :: Reflux And Heartburn After Surgery
Has anyone suffer or has suffered from bad chest pain with heartburn after gallbladder removal? I Am eating a very low fat diet, in fact no fat at all, and I still get most times pain in chest with burning. I would like to hear from anybody that has the same and if anything helped to treat it beside PPIs.they don't work for me. I am really worried because it might be damaging my esophagus and throat is sore from the reflux.
has anyone was told by doctors that it might be just a symptom until the body adjusts to not having gallbladder and that's why medication doesn't work? Please share your thoughts and experiences. I am worried and confused why my body started having reflux issues after this surgery.
Hot Flashes When I Eat - Post Gallbladder Surgery
I had gallbladder surgery last Tuesday. I just cooked me some boneless/skinless chicken (half a chicken breast) and green beans. No fat. Why am I all of a sudden really hot. I get this way if I eat anything besides hardboiled eggs or almond nuts. I am only drinking water. Right now I am so hot it's unbearable and the temp in my apt. is under 70° F right now. Why do I have or get hot flashes? This not normal heat I get when I am in my period (I'm on my second period this month right now). I also suffer from PCOS and was told I have a fatty liver with some liver damage. I don't cook with any oil, butter, fat, etc. I just hate to be overheated and uncomfortable. Please help and let me know if this is normal Or should I be worried/seek medical help.
View 1 RepliesGallbladder :: Surgery Will Resolve Tummy Troubles?
For those of you who had their gallbladders removed did the surgery resolve your tummy troubles. I get diarrhea after meals, fatty stools, stomach pains, gas and belching. The diarrhea after meals is a huge problem especially when I go out to eat, I need to be near a bathroom for fear of tummy troubles, occurs a lot after ice cream as well. I just read so many horror stories on here about problems getting worse, but want to read something positive about the outcome of the surgery. Since my problems are bad at the moment because my gb is full of sludge, the tummy troubles are really bad, but I am hoping to get some relief once it is out. Thanks.
View 4 RepliesGallbladder Removal Post Surgery Bad Stomach Pains, Couldn't Eat
I had my gallbladder out almost a year ago and a month after surgery i had serious issues. Bad stomach pains, couldn't eat, lost a bunch of weight, woken up in middle of night with HR around 135. Long story short i still have issues but some seem worse. Whole upper abdomen hurts now and causes chest discomfort. I've had too many tests done and no answer. Always constipated too. Most of my pain was on right along whole side now its upper left side too and whole stomach. Some relief when i have bowel movement. Still get woken up with raised HR and sometimes BP and will feel cold, shaky, cold sweat. Had heart checked and its fine. Ideas?
View 1 RepliesGallbladder Surgery :: Persistent Mild Dyspepsia, Mild Nausea And Appetite Loss
RECENT HISTORY
First, I am diabetic and have had a fairly normal healthy life except in the last two years where I gained 40 pounds, did not control my blood sugars well, and went off the rails. I have had a lot of issues this year, but to focus on my most recent issues, I had a A1c of 10.5 two month ago and went to 9.1 a month ago finally to 7.6 right before my single incision laparoscopic with robotic-assisted single-incision surgery to remove my infected gallbladder (Hida Scan 11% no gallstones). 6 month ago i started experiencing a lot of bloating, indigestion and took charcocaps that helped a lot after meals.
Two weeks ago I went out for a cup of iced coffee (huge coffee drinker 3-4 cups a day for a long time no problems for years), and something hit me, it felt like a sharp pain and instant feeling of bleh no appetite and sick feeling the rest of the day. This continued for a week before I knew something was wrong, I could not have anything acidic or felt like I could eat anything. I had just seen my doctor for a bike accident a month prior to get a referral to a PT and osteopathic doctor. I had a l3/l4 compressed nerve with a twisted sacral (this is much better now with some minor spasms in my right leg from time to time). With all of that pain (took hydrocodone and muscle relaxants to sleep, sleep was poor) and school, I figured I must have given myself an Ulcer. My doctor game me a ppi-omeprazole (i've never had reflux and didn't then) since I had symptoms of some burning sensations and this chronic dyspepsia so this would treat the possible Ulcer for two weeks while I was sent for an ultrasound to check out my gallbladder (family history - Mom, aunt, and uncle had their's out with gallstones). The ppi sort of helped but I just was fatigued, could not eat anything but a bland diet, I had chronic dyspepsia and general nausea that I could never shake. My daily caloric intake decreased with each new day and food just made me generally feel sick, however if I skipped meals it would still be bad, worse with food.
TEST RESULTS
After the Hida scan came back positive with an ejection rate of 11%, I scheduled my new a1c test, ekg (family history of heart disease), I was cleared and scheduled for surgery. I stopped taking the ppi as I believed this to be the cause of all my problems. btw, I was 254 the end of june and lost 25 pounds by the time of surgery (average daily caloric intake ~900-1200 prior to surgery
POST SURGERY
After the surgery 7/21-one week ago, I had my two days of pain and adjustment, and recovered decently with a soft food and liquid diet. I noticed the general sickness was gone! Hazzah!, except on Saturday I was feeling bloated, cramping, and I could not eat a solid one bite without feeling sick. I knew I was constipated. I stopped the pain meds the day before and I knew I had not eaten too much but it was over a week since i went. I took magnesium citrate and nothing after 7 hours, I drank another 1/2--then BOOM it was insane. I was sooo wiped out and tried to replace lost liquids but I believe I was dehydrated. I was sick that night and stomach was not happy.
Sunday was much better but I was wiped out still and felt generally just depleted of all my energy. I ate, walked a bit and then came back home. That night I started feeling very uncomfortable and the symptoms were somewhat similar to prior to surgery of the general dyspepsia and nausea chronically. I could not sleep because of my back problems (had to sleep upright on my back all week). I woke up in the middle of the night turned to my side and then all of a sudden I felt a warm rush of something just above my stomach and the constant burn in my stomach no reflux. I could not sleep until the morning.
NOW,
I have had really bad gas (low fat diet) for the past few days. I was getting and feeling better on day four but now this!
I felt extreme discomfort all day, felt like a low grade fever 98.6 (no fever) incision site is also slightly red, but the doctor said to call if I had a fever. I was worried about an SSI. The pain was like I threw up (I never have even starting out back in at the coffee shop) and that ache afterwards. The burning sensation let up later in the day after I took some antacids and saltines (I must have some acid issues, but I have read a lot of people suspecting many people may actually have low acid).
The thing is a lot of people have episodes after food, but mine is chronic with mild discomfort, burning sensations, upper abdomen and stomach discomfort (with some nausea), and food helps it initially and then it comes back. I feel week, slight low grade fever even though I don't have one. I keep thinking I have an infection of H. Pylori or something. Food takes a while to do much, I walk after I eat everything. I feel like I could eat but I get so much bloating and indigestion that it is uncomfortable. I drink plenty of water, but I wonder if I am low on essential things for the long ongoing low calorie daily diet. I can't eat more then 800 calories even with smaller meals-since Thursday.
Why was my gall bladder inflamed in the first place? I had no stones, and the surgeon said I had a very long a big gallbladder (ready to rupture!) that was really inflamed including a little on the liver. Pathology reports came back negative. I theorize my rapid change in weight and blood sugar levels inflamed the organ or an infection.
Possibilities:
diabetic Gastroparesis
H. Pylori
Peptic Ulcer (was never officially tested)
Gastritis
Anxiety
Low/High Stomach Acid
Low bile leak?
Sphincter of oddi dysfunction
What I feel could help:
HCL Betaine
Digestive Enzyme (Garden of life chewable vegetarian)
ppi (I would hate to take them unless I had to)
something to coat my stomach if I do have an ulcer to heal
ability to eat more so I can have more assimilated minerals, ect.
Anxiety med (first year i've had a lot of anxiety-mainly school related and upcoming wedding planning for next year
more tests!
My burning anxiety questions:
When will I get my appetite back?
(i really suspected my odds were decently good that I would get better after surgery, I had a great surgeon)
Did anyone have any of these chronic symptoms? Is it due to an infection or some issue with surgery?
Have some people eventually been able to eat what they wanted after a period of time?
How many had these excessive bloating, indigestion, nausea and general malaise through the day, worse a little while after food or between meals?
Penis :: Circumcision Infected Below Glans At Incision Line
Im 23 yrs male, got circumcised 2 weeks ago due to phimosis, everything was fine but from 4 days after removal of bandage there is thick liquid producing below the glans at incision line, it is painful like burning, my doctor said it infected. He advised me to take anti biotic injections but I was fed up with those injections bcoz I hv taken antibiotics for five days after circumcision. So he given some tablets. and also i'm using ointment called SOFRAMYCIN, is it safe to use this ointment directly on affected area? Is it will stop the infection? Is there possibilities of spreading infection to entire penis?
View 2 RepliesPartial Knee Replacement :: Peeling Skin Around Incision?
I am 3wks & 3days po for PKR. Staples removed a week ago, wound in completely closed, but skin is peeling badly. Pain OK, mostly at night, and taking meds only in the PM now. PT is doing well, finally up to 105 bend. My question is what will help my peeling skin and when will I be able to rest pain free at night?
View 2 RepliesGallbladder :: Remove The Polyps Without Removing Gallbladder?
I have been diagnosed with multiple polyps in my gallbladder recently. They are all small except one with less than 5mm. I have a symptom recently with pain. My doctor has suggested to remove my gallbladder. But I am wondering if there are any surgery or technique that can take out the polyps without removing the gallbladder or get the polyps for biopsy test to see it is malignant? I really hope to keep my gallbladder as it is a part of body that god created.
Clitoris Split Open
I really don't know how it happened or if it was caused during sex. But my clit slit opened. and i don't know what i should do. It did not hurt at all or did i bleed. Is this normal? and im trying to think since when it became like that...
View 10 RepliesOpen Or Laparoscopic Myomectomy?
I have very large fibroids, and I've been offered a few options by different doctors. The first surgeon I saw recommended open surgery. The risks associated with major open surgery are serious. The first, and biggest concern, for me is the risk of waking up without a uterus. I'm quite attached to my uterus. My second concern is the amount of time I'd be out of work. I freelance, and my job is very physical. I will not be able to return quickly, and I don't get paid time off.
I was not on any type of insurance when, March, I found out the problems I'm experiencing are due to fibroids, so I went on Medicaid to pay for medications. Several doctors have recommended that I go on Lupron, which is $800 to $1,200 a shot.
Being on Medicaid, I'm fearful that I won't get the same level of treatment post-op. A few nights in a hospital charity wing can be deadly. Let's face it.
I went to get a second opinion from a doctor who referred me to a the head of robotic surgery at the hospital. She told me my fibroids can be removed laparoscopically. I researched the procedure, and the surgeon I was referred to, and I'm on the fence about what I should do. The surgeon would need to break up the fibroid in order to get it out, and when the FDA began discouraging its use she was quoted in an article touting it. "It needs more research." Well, I'm on public assistance. I'm on public assistance and I'm not stupid.
I'm between a rock and a hard place here, because none of my options are good. Morcellation spreads cancer in 1 out of every 350 myomectomies, which is why the machine is being recalled.
Do I take that gamble? Open surgery sounds terrible, and it will set me back for a long time--and that's if everything goes right! So should I risk laparoscopic surgery and hope that I get on with my life safely, or do I get the traditional major surgery? My friends and family are pushing me to get a laparoscopic myomectomy but I have reservations. I've also been exposed to a lot of chemicals, because I'm a painter. I've since been more diligent, if not militant, about safety and protection... but exposure is exposure. I worry about it. Certain types of cancers do run in my family, ovarian, uterine, cervical, etc. not being among them. Other endocrine related cancers do run in my family, along with diabetes and endocrine conditions not related to cancer. My mother had endometriosis, and both my mother and sister would get ovarian cysts. I, however, do not.
Knee TKR :: Healing Relates To Age?
just wondered if anyone feels that age contributes to the healing process. I have noticed that so many of you on the forum are pretty young. 50-60's. I am 71 and find that even though I have done well(read previous entries) I find that at 4 months, I still tire a lot.
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