Question:
Does anyone know how to get rid of it?

My surgery was on 2/12/02 and was released on 2/18. Since being home, the smell coming from my incision is driving me crazy! I can't sleep, I can't relax, I can't do anything without wanting to puke. The smell is so bad it makes me cry! Please help me. Does anyone else have this problem or had this problem? What can I do to stop this? PLEASE HELP!    — Claudia P. (posted on February 20, 2002)

February 20, 2002
Hi Claudia, I had the same problem when I had surgery(1/17/02), unfortunately my incision started to drain, what I mean is a hole opened at the bottom of my incision and it drains constantly. I now have two holes(one at the bottom and one at the top). When you touch your incision is it hard underneath? The doctor called it a cerroma and I was also told it was a wound infection. I would call my surgeon and mention it to him. They say it is better to drain then to keep it all inside. Give him a buzz, I'm sure he'll put your mind at ease. : )
   — Marie D.

February 20, 2002
I think you should give your doctor a call. An incision should not have a bad odor. Is there any drainage from the incision? Is it red? Do you have a temperature? You may have a wound infection brewing and the best thing would be to let your surgeon know about it.
   — Laureen59

February 20, 2002
I to had the same problem and i promise it will pass..... Keep it clean and make sure plenty of air is getting to your incision. After my incision and tube hole began to heal the smell ceased. It will get better.
   — darlene N.

February 20, 2002
I also had a horrible smell from my incision. It started out with a little pin hole leaking and within a few hours turned into a dime sized hole. It was leaking thick green and yellow fluid that smelled really bad. I called my surgeon and he said it was normal, keep it clean. Two weeks later I went to see my PCP and he did a culture and it was infected. I had to take two anitbiotics to clear it up. As soon as I started taking the meds, it started healing. If it is leaking a smelly fluid, call your surgeon and/or doctor to have it checked out asap.
   — Dawn H.

February 20, 2002
I had Open rny and had 17 staples in for over 7 weeks. I never had a foul odor come from it and I wonder if you might have an incision infection. I think it wouldn't hurt to put a call into the doctor and get his take on it. Good luck and congrats on becoming a postie.
   — Donna L.

February 21, 2002
I had an infection, my surgeon said to clean it with hydrogen peroxide three times a day. It helped a lot. Good luck!
   — Becky H.