Is it just me?

Hi guys,
    I had a tummy tuck/hernia repair 4 weeks ago on Dec. 28th.  Last week my surgeon had to put stitches in because my incision was opening up in the middle (I have an anchor cut).  Now it's opening up on one side.  The other side is healing so nicely.  I just started getting thick discharge from both hips where the incision starts and on the one side that is starting to open up.  I've been having normal drainage.  I'm supposed to be going back to work this Wed.  How am I going to do this?  The drainage is a pain.  It also has a smell.  My surgeon says that the drainage, thick discharge (pus) and smell is normal.  I don't have a fever.  Now I'm back to taking pain meds (Tylenol) again because my stomach is so tight and where my incision is opening up is hurting.  How long does this happen?  Also, I'm still swollen and getting depressed because I weigh 2 pounds more than what I weighed before I went in.  Why?  He cut off 21 pounds!  Sorry if this is grossing someone out (it's certainly grossing me the hell out!), but you guys are the only one who I know will give me sound advice.  I have an appointment this Tuesday.  What do I say?  He just doesn't seem concerned.  Should I or shouldn't I be?

Pzaz,

I don't think a thick, smelly pus is normal.  Sure sounds like infection to me.  Is there any redness, and/or warmth around it?

Terri

Hi Terri,
     It is red, but not warm.  I am still very swollen.  My appointment is tomorrow.  I will post an update.  I'm not opposed to go to the ER if I have to get another doctor to look at it.  Thanks for responding.

So sorry to hear what are going through.  I am only a week and a half out, so I don't have any words of wisdom, but I would say you need to share all your concerns with your surgeon and make him be open and honest with you about whats going on.  And keep us posted!  *hugs*

I don't know much, but the weight gain is temporary and normal.

I don't think a thick and smelly pus is normal but I'm not a Dr or a Nurse.  I've had minor "leakage" but it wasn't as you described.  Seems to me anytime something "smells" it normally means there is an infection.

Hope the Dr gives you some relief when you see him.
Post again and let us know how you are doing.

I had an incision open up on my back - my breast and my belly button.

Yes I had smelly discharge- I was instructed to keep it very clean lots of soap and water
don't use hydrogen peroxide as yes it kills the bacteria but it also kills off what you need to heal.
I know it is a pain in the ass it took about 6 weeks for my large one to finally scab over (Sorry gross I know) but it is so much better now.

I think as long as you continue to see the doc regularly and let him check it and he is not concerned then I would not be either but I know how you feel as my hubby and I thought my doc was nuts but he and his nurses just monitored my progress every two weeks and now I am fine.
SO hang in there you'll be fine as far as work get some large surgical gauze pads double them up and tape them over the incision and then celan and wa**** when you get home.

Best wishes to you

MO

My surgeon told me when my incision opened in the middle from my anchor TT that you couldn't just stitch it back. Once a wound opens, bacteria enters. It's just the way it is. It then needs to be packed to rid of the infection. This could be a reason for the puss and the additional openings. They might be abscesses. I would CERTAINLY ask to see if they are abscesses. My wounds been open since about your surgery date but it is almost closed now. But, it's also been packed twice a day and doing this has rid it of infection.