please help

Hi all, well yesterday was 3 weeks.....I had my drains out at the one week mark,and probably leaked from the one area for just a couple of more days...the one area on my left side has been very swollen...the dr. said as long as it's not red or hot it is normal. ok...well tonite it started oozing and is a bit red...should I be concerned? thanks for any help Janean

Janean: I wouldn't panic...but would definately have your doctor look at it. Don't let him make you afraid to bring it up. Anything that worries you is worth letting him know about. In the meantime, why don't you try putting warm compresses (washcloth) on it. If it's infected at all that will help draw it out. Jean

Janean - call the doc - probably nothing a little antibiotic can't kic****ep us posted!

Sounds like an infection. Call your doctor today and have him look at it. Don't wait. You don't want it to get worse. Feel better! Kathy

Hi Janean, Are you running a low grade fever? If you don't know that is something the doctor will probably want to know. This is usually an indication of infection. I had my drain pulled out on day 8 and I, now almost 3 weeks later still have some minimal amounts of leakage. My doctor told me to keep an eye out on it and especially call him if I have any sort of fever. Its better to be on the side of caution, this is your body and the only one you have. -Sabrina P.S hope you get to feeling better soon

Hi Janean, I had my drains out at abouut 14 days. My right side has almost completely healed, but my left side is still pretty raw. Like the others, I would recommend that you keep the site clean and talk to your doctor. My doctor suggested that I keep the area "soft" and clean by applying polysporin each day. There'as a type that has vitamin E added which is also supposed to help scars heal. I don't have gauze or any bandage over the site, just make sure I'm wearing a clean cotton t-shirt next to my skin. So far, so good. Good luck with your site...and don't be afraid to ask the dr. for help. Sandy

hi I just want to thank all of you for your responses and advice...the visiting nurse came today and said it looks ok because the oozing is a clearish, pink color, and I have no fever, but to keep it clean. If it get worse to call the dr. of course it's friday, so I guess I'll just see what happens... thank you again, janean

My doc also told me that as I get more mobile the drain make ooze a little bit more. Good luck. Angie