Question:
I am 1 1/2 wks post op and yesterday I started leaking from my incision

It is not foul smelling, but weird brownish, milky color. Have I been doing something wrong?? None of my staples have been removed yet, now I am scared to let them start taking them out. Has this happened to any of you good people out there. I had a open rny on 12.27.01. Thanks in advance!    — Paula H. (posted on January 5, 2002)

January 5, 2002
According to the post-op instructions my doctor gave me, a discharge from you incision is normal, as long as it does not smell. I had a slight amout the first week I was home, and there was no problem when the staples were removed. If you are worried, give your doctors office a call and they can ease your fears. Best of luck to you.
   — blank first name B.

January 5, 2002
I had the same thing, which seemed to last forever. Just as I was about to complain, it stopped--about a month or so out! I actually read that it is a good thing--draining the leftovers from the surgery.
   — Anita J.

January 5, 2002
paula the same thing happened to me but my incision looked like it seperated. & it itched like crazy!!!! i waited a few days & then decided to let my pcp take a look at it cause i am 5 hours from my surgeon. he didnt think it was infected but did a culture anyway to be sure. well the culture did grow bacteria. so he gave me oral antibiotics & told me to use neosporin on it. it is healing now, 6 days later. i am not trying to scare u but i want u to be aware & not wait too long before u show it to a dr.
   — sheryl titone

January 5, 2002
I had A LOT of drainage from my incision. My surgeon had me come in so he could open me back up and make sure it was not a deep infection. Then I had to pack the area till it healed. I would definitely call the surgeon's office on this. It may be nothing, but better to be sure. After all that, I healed up fine.
   — kcanges

January 6, 2002
I had the same thing happen and my doc told me it was the beginnings of an infection and to be sure and wash the incision with soap and water every day. It cleared up in a couple of days. If it hadn't of cleared up, I was to call him to start anti-biotics... check with your surgeon about what he wants you to do. Yes, it is THAT important.
   — Sharon H.

January 6, 2002
Paula, the same thing happened to me. To help the incision drain my doctor opened it to get all the fluid out of it and then it took about 6 weeks for it to fully heal. But there was not any pain just a little aggravation (cleaning and packing every day) After he took my staples out he put some steri strips over part of the incision and I had the cloth tape over it also and it gave it more strength so it wouldn't hurt when I would get up and down. Hope this helps.
   — laurac82101