Question:
2 weeks post-op my insicion opened up & is draining, is this normal?
I have to keep maxie pads on my tummy to keep from staining my clothes. I have seen my surgeon and he said all is ok, just has to heal from the inside now. Has this happened to any of you ??? — phonehom (posted on February 8, 2003)
February 8, 2003
Denise,
Did you have an open RNY? All I know is that when I had a C-section the
same thing happened. My doctor also said that the wound needed to heal
from the inside out, but that required me to be on antibiotics. Are you?
By the way, that infection landed me in ICU, I had cellulitis (Uterus got
infected) I would call my doctor back and talk with him. If the fluid is
yellowish or has an odor, you have an infection,...that does not sound okay
to me!
Hope this helps, and good luck to you!
— Michele B.
February 8, 2003
Most of the time if an insicion opens up and needs to heal from the inside
out, it is packed with iodiform gauze until it does heal. Check with you
doctor to see if this needs to be done. It takes a long time for these to
heal so be patient. Like the previous poster said- keep an eye out for
infection. That would not be a good thing to deal with. Good luck.
— Jan S.
February 8, 2003
Denise - A woman in our support group just had her incision close after 5
1/2 months...JR
— John Rushton
February 8, 2003
Don't panic, Denise. My surgeon told me not to panic and call 911 if my
incision should open and start to drain. He said this was normal. He did
say if there is fever that would be a whole different story. I was
fortunate in that my incision healed so quickly and it is really quite
lovely...as far as incisions go. ;) (Open RNY 10/30/02 -95lbs)
— Ginger M.
February 8, 2003
Its more of an inconvience then anything else. Mine opened too! I just
kept in as dry & clean as possible with "pads". I also had
the same thing with my hysterectomy. Both times the Dr. put in a
"wick" so it would heal from the inside out. After about 4 weeks
it finally did. I also got paper tape and taped the pads over the incision
to hold them in place. Good Luck.
— donna C.
February 8, 2003
Denise, BEEN THERE....I will tell you, althought you wouldn't probably
believe me, that it will HEAL IN ITS OWN SWEET TIME! It needs to heal from
the inside out. Mine opend up around 3rd week post-op and leaked for 2 1/2
months, then all of a sudden, over night, it closed right on up. That was
several mos ago, I am 6mos out now and even though I leaked, my scar looks
BEAUTIFUL, all 3 inches of it, the faintest, thinnest line. Good Luck!
Just keep it cleaned & covered and dry! Heather(Open RNY 8/15/02 -
305/214/150)
— heathercross
February 8, 2003
My incision opened up at about 10 days post-op. My surgeon said to get in
the shower and squeeze it to get the fluid out. He said it is like a big
blister under the skin, and yes, it will heal from the inside out. I never
had an infection, nor did I need to "pack" it. It cleared up in
about 3 weeks. Good luck to you.
— Suzanne M.
February 9, 2003
Yes, I too had this happen. And my Doctor also told me to get in the
shower and press on it a couple of times a day to get it to drain so that
it would not become infected.
If it doesn't clear up after several (3 or so) weeks, I'd go back to the
Dr. and see what other challenges you might be facing.
Have a good week!
James
— James M.
February 10, 2003
I had the same thing happen to me as well. I had surgery Aug 14th 2002 and
I had an area that from the first day was alitte weepy and sure enough it
turned into nasty drainage..nothing for a weak stomach person to watch.. I
went to the Doctor and he packed it with 4x4's and I kept it packed so it
could heal from the inside out.. and it finally healed and closed towards
the end of October! I was lucky with all the drainage and all it never got
infected.. Good luck and hope this helps.. hugs,Gail
— Gail H.
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