2weeks post op

[Anreverett]

I'm having some issues post op with one trip to the ER already. I feel like I have a huge ball in my neck, still so much swelling and now slight drainage from my incision but only when laying down. Can anyone help with their experiences and tell me how concerned I need to be right now because this just doesn't feel right. The whole back of my head is still swollen as well.

[Elisaandbucky]

Hello again. I am also glad to hear that nothing critical is going on with you recovery. I am one week ahead in my recovery and my biggest concern is whole body fatigue and excessive sleepiness. Do you get a chance to nap so you can recharge?

[selmaS]

  Glad to hear there is nothing more going on and it is true this can be a lengthy recovery....it takes time....

Keep us  posted and I am sending you some Healing MoJo for the rest of your recovery to go smooth.

[Anreverett]

Well my staples are now out. They said my incision looks good that the drainage is normal surgical drainage. They told me the swelling will go down eventually along with the ball feeling in neck. So I guess time will tell.

[Elisaandbucky]

I will check back to see what answers you received. And, as Selma says above, it is good to read that you have help from loving people - most remarkably, from a very sensitive little girl!

[selmaS]

  So glad to hear you did ( or your hubby spoke) with your Drs office to get an idea as to what could be going on....


Also glad to hear of all the help you are getting.....just remember it is ok to get and have help....no matter how long you may need it.

Keep us posted on what you find out.

[Anreverett]

Thank you so much for your encouraging words!!!! I make sure to not overdue with my daughter. She knows mommy can't bend over or pick her up. She's really great about helping if mommy drops something. I actually have an appointment tomorrow to get my staples checked out and my incision assessed. My husband (who works shifts) has been staying up longer than he should during the day (midnights this week) to help out with our daughter. He called my NS office today and spoke with the nurse explaining I've been in the ER once for the same symptoms I'm having (adding extremely tired and nauseated today) and the nurse aid I could either go get checked today or just go to my appointment and see an associate of my NS that I feel more comfortable with. I've had a horrible headache all day (first all over one since surgery). The nurse told my husband that she is concerned I may have an underlying infection below my incision. So tomorrow morning 10am I'm hoping to get some answers. I can't see my NS like I would prefer because he is based 2 hours away from me and they take rotation at the hospital closest to me. I do have a wonderful friend close to me that helps me out with my daughter.

[Elisaandbucky]

I am following your thread and want to add to the encouragement others are offering to you. What struck me most is that you have a 2-year-old to manage during this recovery. I have a child with Autism, but I do have the benefit of the school day hours to rest and recharge. What I hope for you is that someone can help out with the physical aspects of care for your child so that you are not straining or over doing things. I would suggest also that you contact your doctor about the leak. I hope all goes well.

[Lottida]

Hi I will be 5 weeks post op on Thursday.  I still have swelling near incision that increases when I am up & about for too long (Ice helps decrease mine).  I was concerned at 2 weeks with all of the swelling & soft fluid like feeling under incision, so I had my NS assess it.  He told me to call him on his cell phone if I had any leakage at any time, otherwise we would just wait & see!!!!!  I never had a leak thank god!!   I still have the same thing today (hasn't worsened or gotten better), but I do not have any symptoms of CSF leak.  Just curious if you have that halo effect on your pillow where leakage occurred??  That would be definite sign of CSF fluid!!!  I'm a registered nurse too, so I'm sure your mother in law was already looking for that...lol!!!  

Can't wait to hear what your NS says!!  Good luck & hoping it is just serosanguinous fluid that will eventually resolve on its own!!!

[Anreverett]

I wash my hair every other day and don't use a conditioner on it. I have a spray in conditioner (best friend is a hair stylist) that is light weight but I'm very careful around my incision. They didn't tell me to do any exercises when I was released. I make sure to follow the rules which is very hard with a 2 year old. I have a mother in law who is a nurse and checks on me daily and she seems concerned about the leakage too.

[selmaS]

  I suggest you call your Dr now....I had nothing but a little on the scar area....and not running down my neck...


You deff need the relaxers....I had valium....and they worked great....but also  there are exercises you need to be doing but talk to your Dr first....to see if with the leakage if you should.

Have you washed your hair at all?

[Anreverett]

Right now about about out of all my muscle relaxers which work the best for me. I do sleep inclined and not flat. I have a line of fluid that runs down my neck after any time I sleep. The ball feeling in the back of my neck is what concerns me. My NS put me on a round of steroids after my ER visit. My NS is 2 hours away so I went to an ER his office was affiliated with. The steroid has not made one improvement for the issues. I have to call the office in the morning for refills and I think I may see if I can talk to a nurse about what's going on because it just doesn't feel right or normal. I've tried ice for the swelling and it doesn't go down.

[selmaS]

  Hi...so sorry you are having issues post op.....what meds are you on at this point?

What are you doing on a daily basis?

And what do you mean by slight drainage?

I had some what I called oozing for up to 9 months post op....my Dr gave me an antibiotic ointment to help prevent infection....so at 2 weeks a little drainage should not be much.

You may want to try sleeping in a recliner so you are not flat...I did that and that was so much better for me....

If the swelling continues do call your Dr and ask what you should do...ice etc...