Glue came off/incision opened??

05-06-2017, 11:28 AM

I'm over 3 weeks post op. I had my f/u appt. 3 days ago and my surgeon said I can pick off the remaining glue over my incisions. I've been a little skeptical, but this morning decided to give it a go. The top incision (the one below my sternum) had a pretty big glob of glue in the center. When I pulled it back, it seems like a tiny part of a scab (maybe?) came off with the glue and now there's a small part of the incision that is open. It's just the very top layer of skin, and it already seems to be trying to make a new scab.

I'm letting it stay open to air because I want it to dry out and scan over. But I'm not sure if that's what I *should* be doing. Bandaid? Some type of antibacterial cream? Gauze? I don't know.

My surgeons office doesn't seem to have an after hours number so I'm on my own until Monday morning. It doesn't look bad or anything, so I'm hoping it'll scab over and be okay. Just worries me a little because I don't want to get it infected!

05-06-2017, 11:40 AM

Hi Abrown.

I didnt have any glue on my sutures, however, I did have some nice ugly stitches (sutures) marks which were really ugly and honestly, freaking me out to look at.

They started to close up and scab over about a week ago, and now I am looking at "lines" of scabs, which look just as scary. Last night in the bathroom, one of my scabs fell off on the smaller incisions and it looks great underneath; BUT, one of the scabs started lifting on the bigger one under my sternum and it also looks like I can see my insides through it.

Like you, I freaked alittle bit! I called my GI doc this morning since he has hours and my surgeon doesnt on Saturdays. I actually went over to the GI doc's office. He said it will be fine. DO NOT cover it with any type of antibiotic cream/ gel....keep it uncovered as much as possible to let the air get to it- only put a bandaid on it if Im wearing a shirt which pushes against it and aggravates it. Since its the weekend and Im not doing anything special, Im just wearing an oversized thin Tshirt and letting the air circulate around the wound underneathe.

I know its horrible to think about "what if I did something to it or it gets infected" but, its healing and by now, (You have a week on me) the underneath part is actually pretty well sealed off.

This is why they make scar gels and creams because it is going to be lumpy/ bumpy for awhile...scar gels can help flatten it out sooner. I got the go ahead to start using either Scar gel or those silicone sheets as of my follow up last week.

Does that help?
MSNik

05-06-2017, 12:23 PM

Thank you MSNik!!

Yes that helps a lot. Ill leave it open to air! I would say it's only 1/4 of the incision that looks "open", but really it just looks like a red cut-whereas the rest seems healed and "together". I'm kinda mad I pulled the glue off. I knew I should've left it alone, but since the surgeon said to go ahead and that glob of glue kept catching on my shirt, I pulled it off. Ugh. Oh well, hopefully it heals up as nice as my other incisions because they all look great!!

How are you doing lately?

05-06-2017, 05:00 PM

My one big incision looks exactly like you describe. Every day I ask my husband "does this look any better?" and he keeps saying yes...but not to me. I figure it has to close eventually, right? The rest of mine look good too.

How am I doing? Depends on the hour. Overall, great. I am walking allot and certainly am not restraining myself from much...but eating. Its driving me crazy! Everything I eat seems to have me doubled over in cramps. Every other day, Im backed up and cannot go...and then the next mornng I have a cup of coffee or tea, and I explode with the big D. I cant figure out what Im doing wrong. I am still eating 99% low fat or no fat.,..havent tried cheese, full fat dairy or salad yet...but yet- still Diarrhea. Enough already! What about you? Are you having any of these problems?

Have you tried eating salad or anything full fat yet? You have a week on me, so Im hoping this is still a matter of time, but so far, its frustrating. Ive gone out 2x with people where they wanted to eat and drink...and I sit there with my water and lemon wishing I could have that drink....one time I had a plain baked potato- the other time I had a turkey wrap and ate about 2 slices of the turkey and none of the wrap. Its so frustrating! Im still losing weight, so this needs to change in the next 2 weeks or else Im going to be on medication for the rest of my life! Whatever it takes to be able to eat normally again!!!!

Tell me- whats the secret?

MSNik

05-06-2017, 08:50 PM

I really don't know the secret! I'm eating a lot more, finally, but still in the "low fat" mindset. I can't seem to shake it! I'm eating cheese again, I had 2 slices of pizza a few days ago and felt fine. I've been making BBQ shredded chicken flatbreads with whole fat mozzarella-again, fine. I've even been eating sweets without problems too. I'm a SUCKER for desserts. I've eaten a few Oreos, chocolate chip cookies, loaded up my frozen yogurt with a bunch of stuff I shouldn't have...the only think I notice is I get bloated after eating now which never happened before. My bathroom habits are exactly the same as before surgery-constipation. Blah.

Physically I feel 100% back to normal. I'm going to start working out again this week. I need to get some strength back. Luckily I'm not losing weight anymore!

I really hope everything starts to settle down for you and you can figure out how to start eating more. I just kinda started slowly, I would eat a little bit of something and then wait 10-15 minutes to see how my stomach was handling it, then finish the rest. I am also taking digestive enzymes when I eat something with cheese or fat. I have no idea if it helps, but I'd like to think it does!

Keep taking care of yourself!,
Abrown

05-06-2017, 09:28 PM

Thank you!! I did pick up some digestive enzymes and even though my doctor doesnt want me to get "dependent" on them, I figured if I tried something with fat in it, it couldnt hurt...do yours have bile acids or ox bile in them? The ones I got do not- I was afriad it might lead to further D...

Im determined to try cheese this week and maybe pizza next weekend! We shall see how it goes...what about salads? Any luck? Im still afraid to try...

Thanks for keeping in touch and let me know how it goes at the gym! Im afraid if I go, Ill do something stupid. lol. Let me know what type of routine works for you?!

Best,
Nik

05-08-2017, 07:01 AM

No salad for me, I've never liked it! My best friends mom had her gallbladder out a few years ago and apparently salad is the only thing she has problems with. I guess the only way you'll know is to try it when you feel up for it!

Also my digestive enzymes don't have anything else in them-just the enzymes.

05-08-2017, 09:27 AM

Thanks Abrown.

Last night I ate spaghetti and meatballs- well ONE meatball. I took the digestive enzyme with it and kept it inside of me until this morning, when everything came out!

But, at least I got some calories in me!

I keep forgetting you arent a salad eater. Your right though. I should just try it and see what happens...maybe next week! This week Im saving my strength to try pizza and that glass of wine Friday night! LOL. Got some good news in my professional life and told my husband this is the celebration I want to have. Pizza and Pinot. lol. OH, my life.....!!!

My enzymes dont have any bile in them either.

Overall I feel like Im on the mend! I actually slept on my side last night and got the best rest Ive had in 3 weeks. Now, if I can only figure out how to have sex without it hurting,...(Ive been too afraid to try) my husband will be happy!

Hugs,
Nik

05-08-2017, 11:44 AM

Ahhh, spaghetti and meatballs sound amazing. I'm Italian and I'm such a sucker for anything with gravy (red sauce-I think you mentioned your from Jersey. My Mamaw is from there and she always called red sauce gravy. Now our entire family does! Some people look at me like I'm crazy when I say gravy).

I've only had chicken so far. I'm too nervous to try any red
meat.

Oh! I totally understand about the sex thing. Just when I was finally feeling good enough physically to try, I stretched too far yesterday putting something in a cabinet and hurt my back/side. Ugh.

I think we both sound like we are on the mend!!

05-08-2017, 12:18 PM

LOl. Nope, all Italian and its Gravy in my house too! Yes I live in Jersey, but Im originally from South Philadelphia- little Italy! My husband cooks from scratch and made 40 gallons a week ago (torture!) along with 5 lbs of meatloaf mix into about 40 meatballs! We do this every other month in my house...makes for easy dinners. I use the gravy on everything from Eggplant Parm to certain Chicken dishes and Shrimp dishes!

Sex...lol. One of these days. Right now food is more important! Watch out for stretching.,..I did the same thing waking up the other morning and it felt like I pulled my stitches out from the inside...reality it was probably just a sore muscle, but it hurt like the dickens most of the past 3 days. Ive been putting anything from the dishwasher on the counter to wait for my Hubby or oldest daughter to put away. Im not reaching up for any reason.

I did do some work out with 5 lb weights today. Not my normal weight, but it felt good to get the shoulders and arms moving. I also walked 3 miles uphill on the treadmill! So yes, Im starting to feel like myself again.

Your comments and posts have been extremely helpful and I cant thank you enough for them! Best to you....!!
Nik

Glue came off/incision opened??

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