Wound up in the ER last night

Yesterday afternoon when dh and I were changing the dressings over my incision sites my left incision that has been REALLY hurting since surgery started gushing thick brown puss!!! The area had been really hard for the last few days but we figured it was the muscle healing. It had also been slightly pink but so have my other incision sites because I am extremely sensitive to the adhesive used in band-aids. Again we didn't think anything of it. I was told that unless it was hot, tender to the touch or if I had a fever then they weren't worried about it. Well because we are over an hour from the hospital we were told they would call in antibiotics and to "milk" the site until it stopped. We got it to stop about 30 minutes later and I felt immediate relief. So we went on with our afternoon of going to rent videos, going to the grocery store and walgreens. When I came home I told dh that we should probably change the dressings again just to be safe. Low and behold the gushing started again!! It was unstopable so we called back up to the surgical resident and she said we needed to get there asap so they could figure out what was going on. We get to the ER and the surgery team came down to see me. They told me they had to reopen that one incision and milk out ALL of the infection!!!!!! OH MY GOD!!!!!! Because of the infectioni being so bad and them needing the surrounding tissue to remain as it was I couldn't have any local anesthetic. So I felt EVERYTHING! As soon as it was over though I felt like a new person. I am walking better, feeling better and I was able to sleep on my side for the first time since surgery! WOOHOOO Just thought I would share my crazy story

Glad you finally got some relief Rachel! Thank God you caught it in time. It's bad enough going through the normal stuff without adding extra stuff....Take care Carla

my gosh girl you are a tough one.... you went through all that pain with no anesthetic wow... my hats off to you ...........im glad everything resulted in a comfort for you goodluck on the rest of your weight loss journey

Oh gosh that's awful! I'm glad you caught it early enough and are now feeling some relief!

So glad you are feeling better and on the mend!

So sorry to hear you had to go through that!!! But thank goodness the infection has not spread. Glad your feeling better!!!! Hugs Cindy F

Owie, Owie, OWIE! I'm so glad you got that taken care of. I hope it doesn't come back. Linda

Holy Smokes are you a strong woman. I am glad its all on the mend now

Hi Rachel, I had the same thing happen to me! They called it a septic wound infection! Did you know that this can kill you, if it goes to far? Please keep a serious eye on it! I was so upset; and yes it is painful as hell! I did they same thing; milking the puss out.. I went to ER as well; they say it doesn't happen often but I have seen quite a few on the boards lately.. Sending you healing wishes.. Ouch.. Hugs, Judy R

OMG Rachel! See what me being away from my PC for a few days gets me! You sounded much better today and I hope you get all better soon. Soon, my drain pain will be all gone and we both can focus on the losers bench! Hugs! Call me later if you want! Jes