Bumps under my incisions...

Called the doc and was assured that it was probably not a problem, but I've got lumps under the skin where my incisions were. They're not painful unless I press on them or lay on my stomach just right. No symptoms of intestinal protrusions like fever, pain, swelling,etc.
Anyone else have these? Do they go down over time? Can I get them to un-swell a little?

Syn, some irregular swelling at incision sites can be typical.  I had that with my Plastic Surgery scars for quite a while. If the “bumps” were red or hot to the touch they could be a sign of infection.  You did this in the right order….called your doc first! If it’s the typical swelling that occurs in healing, you may notice that they swell more in the afternoon and early evening. (same as when fevers rise) For some relief?  Don’t stress them.  Avoid laying “just right” on your stomach, Stressing incision sites is the leading cause of incisional hernias. Give the sites every opportunity to heal completely. Don’t press on them, and maybe try a little cold compress if they really seem to be swelling. Hope it passes soon. Hang in there. All of this gets much easier now that you are passing those first few weeks! Best Wishes- Dx

 

Big lumps or little bitty bumps?  I had several of the latter at each lap incision point for months post-op.  I still have one, and at my 6 mo. post-op visit, my surgeon's fellow (if a female surgeon can be called that) took a look, kinda yawned and said it was a non-absorbed suture or something.  (Her comment was so nonchalant that I didn't even hear her correctly.)  I was more curious than anything else; it looks a bit like a pimple, but it's hard and painless; it doesn't really bother me. /Steve

I still have little bumps-raised area under a few of mine. I am assuming scarring under the skin. Don't hurt or anything, and not really noticeable unless you feel them.

----- 
Even the toughest criminals become remarkably docile 
 once separated from society by six feet of soil. 

I have another small scar-like bump about 2 inches off to the side. Doesn't hurt. I figure the doc was playing mumbly-peg before surgery. Go figure.

There are several reasons for these bumps.  Since you did the correct thing and talked to you doc and she assured you there was no infection or tear the remainder are harmless.  They can be 1) scar tissue, 2) remanants of absorbable surtures or 3) permanent sutures.  the fist and last will just be there.  Absorbable sutures wil  eventually be absordbed.  Nothing you can do to speed the process. Rich

Hell, I've had a bruise the size of a small fist with a bump under it, right around where my gall bladder is, since August 20, my original surgery.  "Don't worry about it," the doc said.  Yeah, right. BobM.

        AFTER MY OPEN HEART SURGERY ,,DOCOTR TOLD ME THESE ARE FROM  BUILDUP SCAR TISSUE ,,JUST NEED TO RUB THE AREA OF THE LUMP FOR A FEW MINUTES (5 TO 10 MINUTES  STRAIGHT)  CIRCULAR RUBBING ,,3 TIMES EACH DAY FOR ABOUT 30 DAYS,,I DID AND I NOW DON'T HAVE THAT LUMP......ALSO RUB SOME VITAMIN E OIL  FROM THE VITAMIN  CAPSULE ON THEM ,,HELPS THE REDNESS GO AWAY..........WENDY

Thanks for the suggestions. Man, it's really been hard saying no to hard work. I feel so guilty making everyone else pick up the slack.

Better than ending up in the emergency room I guess.