Question:
Should I be worried about a fever post-op?

I'm 2 weeks post-op with a VGB and just had my tube and staples removed on Thursday (an awful experience) now today (FRIDAY) at 5:30 p.m. I am running a temp of 101 degrees..I called my surgeon but he was gone for the weekend already so I had to talk to a surgeon on call (had to fill him in on everything) he sounded like he didn't know what to tell me..he never suggested that I take anything even after I had suggested it, all he told me that if it persisted thru tomorrow to call back and then he'll see if I need to go to the ER for a blood count...then he hung up...with no relief I went and crushed 2 tylenol and felt a little better by 8p.m. It's now 5 a.m. and I'm feeling very hot and achey...temp has now reached 102 degrees...should I really worry...the surgoen said he could not tell if it was just a normal flu like symto or an infection...well no da...he should have brought me in...well now I wait feeling miserable but following all y instructions like a good little patient...when should I stop listening and start doing something...I don't want them thinking I'm just paranoid or a whiner??? help!!    — Mona S. (posted on July 31, 1999)

July 30, 1999
Mona, I would try to get in touch with the doctor who did the surgery. If there is no way of doing that, then I would go to the hospital where the surgery was done. I don't think you should ignore a fever. They wouldn't discharge me with one. You need to get treatment. Something isn't right and the doctor on-call seems to have just brushed you off because it was 530 on Friday afternoon. I would do something soon. Denise
   — Den B.

July 30, 1999
Yes, go to the emergency room. Did the surgeon understand that you were a GI post-op patient? You are NOT a whiner, you are the custodian of your health. Even if it IS the flu, you have the right to know. Post-ops should always acknowledge a fever over 101 and seek healthcare. Be your best advocate and go to the ER or at least an urgent care. Good luck to you. Eva Mitts-Smith (RN)
   — Eva S.

July 30, 1999
If your temp went even higher after you took tylenol I would just go to E.R. do not mess with Doctor, better safe then sorry, Adults can't take high temps like kids can 103 for an adult is very high , just go do not worry about insurance , they will understand , michelle in michigan
   — michelle P.

July 30, 1999
fever can sometimes indicated infection ... but what you're describing also sounds like the flu ... but I'd call back since you're still feverish ... did the Doc ask you any questions at all that would help determine the diffrence between infection and the flu?
   — Sherrie G.

July 31, 1999
you sound worried and if you really feel that concerned go to an emergency room!!! you can assess yourself by checking through a few things....1.is there any new tenderness around the incision/or redness?? 2.have you had fairly normal bowel movements? 3.are you feeling worse each day?? my incision drained quite a bit after the staples came out...my surgeon said that was fine.... bottom line is if you think you need to see a doctor then do it!!!!
   — LINDA L.

July 31, 1999
Go to the ER. I had a post-op infection following RNY, and a severe one following a tummy tuck. They are started with that flu-like feeling. This last time I only ran a temp at night. Go to the ER otherwise it takes so long to go away. I would talk to my own doctor about his or hers on call service. My doctors were from UPMC & they always urged me to go to the ER if I felt worse or call them immediately, She was really great about it. Marcy
   — Marcy K.

July 31, 1999
If I were you,Id get to the E.R. or an urgent care center A.S.A.P.!! A fever at this point after ANY surgery could be a sign of infection. It doesn't sound right having so much pain getting your staples taken out either. Perhaps your incision is infected? Good Luck and God Bless,Melanie Simpson
   — melanie S.

July 31, 1999
Good gracious, girl! You're only 2 weeks post-op from a serious surgery! If you feel that bad, then certainly go to the E.R.! That's not whining, that's being concerned for your health! Don't let some insensitive clod of a doctor keep you from getting the help you need! Good Luck and God Bless You!
   — Jodie S.

July 31, 1999
Mona, Your fever sounds too coincidental right after surgery to it be just a flu. My guess is that you have a post op infection and if your fever doesn't break in a few hours after tylenol i would go see the dr. Or have your surgeon paged, I am sure he wears a beeper all the time, so that way you can put your mind at ease and talk to a dr that knows your case instead of some on call intern that doesn't know whats happening. I hope you start to feel better and get your answers soon. Keep us posted.
   — Tammy N.

July 31, 1999
GO TO THE DOCTOR OR HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY. A FEVER ABOVE 100 AFTER SURGERY IS NOT OK. ARE YOU TAKING ANTIBIOTICS STILL. YOU REALLY SHOULD LET A DOCTOR TELL YOU IN PERSON IF THE FEVER IS NORMAL. GOOD LUCK!
   — Cheri H.

August 1, 1999
Shame on that On-Call surgeon. You need to go to the ER or call your family doctor right away. I'm a nurse and it is not normal nor OK to run a 101 fever post-op. Please call your doctor, the surgeon back, or go to the ER as soon as possible. God Bless.
   — Penny W.

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