Question:
THIS MORNING WHEN I GOT UP, MY INCISION OPENED...

UP MAYBE A HALF INCH BY MY BELLY BUTTON, IT WAS NOT DEEP OR NOTHING, BUT IT OPENED UP AND I HAVE NEVER SEEM SO MUCH BLOOD AND PUS DRAIN OUT OF THERE. I GUESS ITS A GOOD THING RIGHT, CAUSE DOC NEVER PUT IN A DRAIN. IS THIS SOMETHING TO BE WORRIED ABOUT?    — Gale G. (posted on October 5, 2002)

October 5, 2002
You should call your doctor. My incision had opened up too. They need to clean it and pack it and make sure it doesn't get infected. They can show you how to properly clean it and what signs to look for an infection. I didn't have any blood, just drainage and some puss from the drainage drying up. I would have it looked at. Better safe than sorry.
   — LisaTaz

October 6, 2002
Gale, call your dtr to be on the safe side, but, this is actually VERY NORMAL ans COMMON. Espcially if you had it open. My incision opened up 2 wks after sugery (8/15) and has been leaking for the past 5-6 weeks. Originally it opened up 2 of the 4 inches and now it has all about closed except about 1cm. If it is leaking, IT IS MEANT to leak. You have fluid under there that HAD TO COME OUT! If not, you would have an infection under your wound. As long as you don't have a temp, the fluid doesn't smell or isn't green, you are fine. Just keep it clean and covered w/ gauze and don't put anything on it other than peroxide.
   — heathercross

October 6, 2002
I started to drain at 10 days and was on my way to see the surgeon. All he did was squeeze it and then put a dressing on it and gave me dressings and tape to use at home. He told me to keep it dry and not put anything on it. When I went back 5 days later to have the rest of my staples removed he actually poked a hole above that opening and widened the bottom one to let it drain better!!YUCK!!! Just this weekend it has finally quit and seems to have healed fairly shut, it did take about 3 1/2 weeks though. It seemed a lot longer. My skin was breaking down from the tape and I had to find creative ways to tape it and still keep it covered!! Good Luck!
   — Terri Z.