And I was doing so good..........

Well, as you all know, I had my staples out yesterday. When I got home, and looked at my incision, a small part of it just "didn't look right" to me. It looked like it could open up. I figured I would put a piece of gauze and tape on it. This morning I went to take the gauze off, looked down and to my horror, the gauze had been soaked through.. with green stuff. I got right on the phone to Dr. Clough's office. They told me to keep an eye out for a fever, redness around the incision, and if the leakage turns thick.... I am sooooooooooo scared. Hub is working all night tonight and I am so afraid to stay home alone. I was doing so good....... I do believe they took my staples out too early. I just had a feeling by looking at it that it wasnt healed enough to take them out. If this has happend to anyone else, I would appreciate the feedback.......

Kelly, don't get too worked up. This is completely normal. Some of the skin along your incision will die and get kinda nasty looking and ***** As long as your incision doesn't get hot and red and sore, you are probably doing fine. Just keep it covered with telfa pads until it's healed, to keep the gunk off your clothes. I think mine took about 3 weeks to be dry. I had my staples removed half at a time. I had 17, they took out 8 the first week post op, 9 the second week post op, and my 4 deep sutures the third week post op - just so you have an idea what other doctors do. Hang in there, you'll heal. Don't put any ointment or alcohol or peroxide on it. Just leave it alone and let it clear up.

Hi Kelley, I didn't have staples but I think I know what you mean about the gooi-ness. I had some of that too. Most of the time I was able to let it air out since I had surgery in the summer but if you don't mind sticking your belly out for a little while each day to air it should clear up soon. Of course if not call Clough for help. Goodluck, Casey

Hey Kelley...When I had my gallbladder removed I had staples also and they removed them three weeks later but I had the green gook too and the dr said it was normal and said all the things everyone else here has said...But by all means call the dr if you have any concerns...Amazing how our body loves to scare the beejeezies out of us isn't it......Just take it easy and you should be fine...Helen