A little worried

I am a little worried right now.  Last night, I noticed that my left side was slightly swollen.  Definitely noticeable, but not really bad.  It also looks a little bruised, too. I am supposed to go back to work tomorrow.  The pain has been lessening more and more each day.  Now it really only hurts when I get out of bed, laugh, or cough.  I am no longer taking pain meds... just Tylenol. My skin has become slightly irritated from the glue on the band-aids.  It's a little bit red in some areas where the glue touches my skin. And then there's the sleeping issue.  I have been a stomach sleeper my entire life -- even as an infant!  And now I am trying to sleep on my back and it's difficult.  I keep waking up to find I have rolled over onto my stomach or side.  Dr. McDowell told me to make sure I have pillows surrounding me to help cushion things in case I roll over.  He wasn't too concerned about the stomach sleeping though.  But now that I am slightly swollen, I worry that maybe the two are related. I called his office first thing this morning when I woke up.  He wasn't in today.  They told me he is at his surgical clinic today.  (I didn't even know he had his own surgical clinic...)  Anyways, I told them what was going on and they said they would call him.  A few minutes later, the receptionist called me back and told me that he said for me to take the bandages off, put Benadryl around the stitches and anywhere my skin was irritated, and to come in first thing Friday morning. I was really hoping I could have seen him today.  I just hate this worrying that something could be wrong.  And I am sure nothing is because if he was concerned, he would have had me come in today.  But still... I don't like it. I hope everything is okay. :( I posted my concerns on the Lap-Band board and someone already said something similar happened to her and that removing the bandages and using the Benadryl should help.  Let's hope so.

I'm still waiting to have my surgery but I would say if your MD thought it was something too serious he wouldn't have you wait until tomorrow.......I'll keep you in my thoughts............. WENDY

It's not unusual to have some irritation from the surgical bandages. The Benadryl should clear that right up. The swelling just might be caused by a slight irritation from you rolling onto your stomach. As long as it's not hot to the touch and you are not running a fever, you're probably okay. Like you said, it is was serious Dr. McDowell would have had you come in today...to wherever he is. (Yes, he and Dr. Lynch do still have their general surgery clinic in addition to bariatrics.) Let us know what he says Friday.