is there any way to help speed up post surgery recovery?

Question

i am scared.I just had an appendix removal.But I am a large man,So it was considered major surgery.went back to dr. yesterday.He stuck big q-tip in between my 24 staples,and fluid gushed out,I had been swollen and very bloated.I know it looked like a half gallon of the stuff.the dr. said fat does not heal good.he said may have to remove staples readmit me to hosp. open surgical scar and let heal from inside out.he said wiould take long time to do so.he said is long way out of the woods for me.nonetheless it has been a life changing event for me.I have lost about 40lbs. so far.160 to go.does anyone have any safe ways I might be able to help this thing recover to avoid going back into the hospital and going thru more hell?i go back monday to be checked again,i just want to make it thru the weekend without any swelling.Please help me,i am so scared.I am afraid to die.i know is my fault for getting so big.i am paying for it now.

Answer 1

I have gone through 16 major abdominal surgeries. The bast thing I can tell you to do is to keep the area clean and change the bandage often. Try to do a little bit of walking every day and take at least a few more steps than the day before. If you can clean the wound yourself then do it several times a day.

Different bodies heal differently. There were times when I was sent home with tubes coming out of me so the wounds could heal from the inside out and I would have to advance the tubes myself every day. If that happens to you then the best thing to do is to ask them to put a loop stitch in the skin and a safety pin through the drainage tube. That way you can advance the tube yourself with little or no pain.

Good Luck. I feel for you.

Answer 2

First of all, way to go on losing 40lbs. Keep it up, you're on the right track.
This sounds like it going to be a long coarse if he has to open the wound and let it heal that way. Lots of wound care is ahead of you. The important thing now is to keep moving. After surgery so many people don't want to move, which ends up causing a multitude of problems like pneumonia, new bed sores etc. Take in adequate protein, calories and fluid because your body will need this in order to heal. You should be seen by a nutritionist in the hospital who can help you chose the best diet for wound healing. I can't stress this enough. Keep moving. It will increase your circulation, which you will need for the wound to heal. Also, they may have to monitor and control your blood sugar. Bacteria love to grow in sugar.
The best advice is to seek out information. Ask, ask, ask. Your doctors, the nurses etc and stay on top of what's going on with your own body. Don't worry about "bothering" the staff.
Good luck. Stay positive.

Answer 3

I have been a homecare RN for the past 12 yrs, I have seen this so many times I could not even count them all. It is the best way, to have them heal from the inside out, leaving the wound open and pack them with a wet to dry gauze daily. Depending how deep it is, it can take weeks for it to heal. It will get shallower, it may appear to get wider in the end, but its just because it is getting shallower and it lays open, also in the end you will just be putting bandaides over it. Good Luck.

Answer 4

Read:
http://www.manataka.org/page37.html

Answer 5

I'm sorry you are having such a hard time. You just need to do what the doctor tells you and if you notice ANYTHING unusual (more pain, fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, discharge from the incision) call the doctor immediate or go to the hospital. Don't mess around with this. Better to go back into the hospital where they can take care of you then to say---I don't want to go to the hospital.....

Answer 6

Don't be afraid, death is something that happens to EVERYONE. It is merely a change. But to maybe help you feel better, get your affairs in order. Make sure you let everyone you know/love what's going on, see an attorney if your last will and testament is not up to date.