Question:
incision is leaking
I am 3 weeks post op. had staples out 4 days ago and now incision is leaking in 3 small places is this normal — matt C. (posted on May 14, 2002)
May 13, 2002
I am 11 days post op and yes, my incision is leaking as well. My doctor
said there was a pocket of stuff that didn't drain while I had my drain in
and it is normal for it to drain. She said to make sure it doesn't look
yellow like pus, or has a bad smell, or that the skin turns bright red
(like an infection). Other than that, it is fine. Mine has been leaking
since 2 days after my staples came out. I wear a gauze dressing over mine
with tape and change it 2-4 times a day depending on how much comes out.
Take care, Jennifer
— Jennifer A.
May 13, 2002
You are probably describing drainage from seroma's which are
not uncommon...Mine were real gushers two weeks post op.
Like the previous poster said, if the
drainage becomes thick, greenish, smelly, etc...then call
thedoc, you may need some antibiotics.
Regards and best wishes,
— Ann B.
May 13, 2002
Matt, I had a 'leak' too, found out that my inner staples were too close to
the surface of my skin and were trying to break through. My surgeon told
me the signs of infection (like your two previous posters listed) and told
me to watch for them. She said in the meantime to rinse it with hydrogen
peroxide, put a triple-antibiotic ointment on it and keep it loosely
covered with gauze... it cleared up within a week or so :)
— DonnaCarol
May 13, 2002
Two days after my staples were out I began leaking - I couldn't keep gauze
taped to me beacause the discharge soaked everything. I was informed it
was nothing to worry about unless it turned greenish. I talked to my
surgeon and he wanted to check me out after 3 days of the leaking. By
then, of course it had stopped. Good Luck!!
— Pamela P.
May 14, 2002
girl this is the normal i almost freaked out also once my staples came out
and i start to leak the best thing that you can do i keep it clean and no
matter what anyone tells you keep it cover as long as it is draining try to
clean it 3 to 4 times a day and try to see if you doc will give you
antibiotics just in case to keep an infection away.i was on anti biotics
for 5 weeks and i draing for 4 1/2 weeks it drove me crazy i had to use
maxi pads and newborn pampers to cover the incision because i was draining
so much.the only thing i ended up regreting is the dark mark that i have
around my incision from the tape pulling my skin off and dont even think
about investing in gauze pads cause if you are ddraining like i was you
will run threw them quick!!!!
— Latisha M.
May 14, 2002
ooooooohhhhhhhhhh this may happen also i started out with 2 small holes
those two wholes turned into 4 and then 6 and then 2 bigger ones until my
whole incision was wide open the diameter of a quarterand then it slowly
stop draining and slowly closed dont worry it will end soon
— Latisha M.
May 15, 2002
I had problems at 3 months post op! I couldn't believe it, my incision has
appeared to heal very well then it started out being very tender and
started to open in a small area and started seaping. It lasted for 2 1/2
months and I had maybe 6 to 8 of these places open up along the incision
and I did need antibiotics. Just keep it clean with antibacterial soap and
do as the others said if there is any odor see your doctor or if it green.
Mine drained yelloe fluid and it was really gross. It kindof freaks you out
because all that suff is in your stomach doesn't it? But it gets better so
hang in there.
— Monica F.
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