Question:
Anyone else's incision become infected?
I'm 12 days post op and would finally be getting back on my feet, except for one major and extremely painful problem. There is about a 3" area of my incision that is extremely infected. It's swollen, very red and oozing a huge amount of puss. I called my Surgeon two days ago and was told to put Neosporin on it and cover with a Maxi pad. That only seemed to close the incision, holding the thick puss inside. They told me to call back if it turned green. I'm just miserable. I can't wear a bra or regular clothes due to it rubbing it, I'm only in a loose nightgown. This evening I took matters in my own hand and used one of the Maxi pads as a hot salt soak to open it so it could drain. It helped for about 1/2 an hour but is back hurting so much I just had a crying session over it. I'm calling the Dr. tomorrow to see if he will call in an antibiotic. When they told me to call if the mucus turned green, that I would have to come and have it drained. Has this happened to anyone else? Please I'm desperate for ideas, I'm in so much PAIN. Thanks, Nancy — nancysho (posted on September 22, 2003)
September 21, 2003
Nancy, I had an infection right after my surgery. I had to have an open
RNY and I became infectect just above my navel. I had to remain out of
work for three and a half months because of this infection. I felt as if I
would die. I had to have my wound pulsi vaced every day (a water pick
device that is used to inject water into the wound and then sucked out with
a vacuum device). Ater about a month of this procedure I started to feel
better, but I had to let the wound heal from the inside out. This took a
lot of time. Just hang in there, but make sure your doctor knows the
problems you are having. An infection is nothing to play with.
— Gene F.
September 21, 2003
I'm so sorry for all of the pain you're having. I too, had an infection
post-op and it was very painful. You definately need to make it clear to
your surgeon how much pain you're in. Mine was not green, but I did have
to go in and have it opened back up. I'm still packing the incision twice
a day and it's healing very nicely. Good luck to you.
— Rhonda Y.
September 21, 2003
Hi Nancy,
Sorry to hear about your problem, and I wish you lots of luck on your
journey, but here is what I am dealing with. I had surgery on 4/21/03 and
at 4 1/2 months out my incision finally healed after draining and having
seromas all summer long. Yes it hurt, and most of my incision was healed
except the very bottom. But it was not an infection, just drainage. After
the last two weeks it had stopped draining and finally healed up, well over
this weekend it swelled like crazy and hurt bad. I did not know what it
was and thought it might be hernia. Well guess what, I decided to treat it
like a seroma and at 4 am this morning the bottom of my incision opened
back up and started draining like crazy! I am thankful it is not hernia,
but disappointed that it is draining again. The Doc says he has seen them
drain as long as 8 months. Oh well, I guess it could be worse. Thank god
I had off from work today, as I just went back to work 3 weeks ago. And
yes, I also use maxi-pads on it. After this summer, I should own stock in
them!LOL! But, I would incist someone at your doctors look at it. Does it
have a bad odor? They say that is a for sure sign of infection. Take care
and you are in my prayers. Open RNY 4/21/03~278/191/...128?
— wildchild
September 21, 2003
You need to go see your surgeon STAT! Whoever told you to call if it
turned green was -well, let's be kind and say ill-informed. This will heal
for sure but you need medical intervention - call them and tell them you're
on your way RIGHT AWAY! Best of luck to you - you WILL feel better and I'm
so sorry this happened to you.
— [Deactivated Member]
September 22, 2003
Nancy, you need to get to your surgeon and have your wound cleaned by a
nurse. I had an infection also and I had a nurse coming to my house for 2
or 3 weeks, cleaning the infection and packing it with gauze, so that it
wouldn't close up and the wound could heal from the inside out. You don't
want your wound to heal over the puss because it will get re-infected. Plus
u need to get some antibiotics.
— Marian B.
September 22, 2003
Hi there, Nancy! I left the hospital with an infection and a few weeks
later, I had to be re-admitted for the infection and treated for almost a
week with antibiotics, aggressively. I suggest you GO to see your surgeon
and if not, then at least go to the ER, you need antibiotics! Hope you
find relief, Vi. open RNY 9/23/02 down 151 lbs.
— Vi F.
September 23, 2003
Nancy, I hope your problem is resolved soon. In my opinion, I feel if you
wait until it turns green, that you have gone way too long before seeing
the surgeon. Please see your doctor ASAP. Your doctor is there for a
reason, for times like this. Janice
— betterfitness
September 23, 2003
Nancy - so sorry you have had to go through this; I, too, had an infection
post-op. Fortunately, mine didn't get as bad as some of the other posters
who've already answered. However, the main thing I want to re-iterate here
is <b>ANTIBIOTICS</b>. Do not take "no" for an
answer. I was given antibiotics on Day 6 or 7 of my infection, and the pus
and drainage was gone within four days. I never needed to pack my incision
or anything like that, thankfully. Be advised - you might ask for a
<b>chewable</b> antibiotic so you don't have to worry about
absorption. Hopefully this post finds you already having visited your
doctor (or ER) and gotten the prescription you need. Good luck!
— sweetmana
September 24, 2003
What is wrong with your physician? My incision became infected and it
"burst" open with pus. My physician immediately cleansed it and
packed it and put me on a liquid antibiotic called Cipro - 2x daily for 7
days. He also had a visiting nurse come each day for about 7 days to
cleanse and re-pack and change the bandage. My incision has since closed
but the area is still a little tender. Get to the emergency room if your
physician still refuses to do anything about your infection.
— Mary P.
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