Question:
Is a bleeding incision several weeks after surgery normal?

A friend had an open RNY three weeks ago. A couple of days ago, she told me that she had blood "spurting" from her incision. I told her to call her doctor. He told her the bleeding was normal and just to keep popping her pain pills. She says she's continuing to bleed, and has to "change pads" twice a day. Is this anything to worry about?    — Virginia N. (posted on November 4, 2004)

November 4, 2004
I would say NO it's not normal. I am 5 1/2 months out from open RNY and I never bled from my incision. It seeped a little for the first 4 or 5 days. And then when I had my staples out at 2 weeks I had a very small spot (between 1/4& 1/2 an inch) that pulled open just a little--I kept it dry and a bandaid on it. But as for bleeding---your friend needs to insist that her doctor see her, if they won't make an appointment for her over the phone, someone needs to drive her to his office and she needs to camp out there until he will see her. Just my opinion. Hope all goes well for her. Terri
   — greeneyes1961

November 4, 2004
If I understood you post correctly, this person is a few weeks out, correct? In my experience with my own incision, they ooze. I didn't like the fact that it got on my clothes, so I came up with the idea of putting a bandage on it that kept it moist! After days of keeping it bandaged up, I took the bandage off and out came lots of bloody liquid, not solid blood. So, first off, you need to determine if it is a bloody discharge, with a clearness to it, or is it pure blood? Bloody discharge, or fluid behind the incison is normal, and does take time to stop oozing. If that is indeed what this is, I suggest this person let it air out as much as possible. I will guess it is only a couple small area's not healed up, and the rest is healing nicely. My oozing stopped about 5 weeks. I am now 7 and the scabs are healed and all is well. If this is pure blood, something is wrong! Hope this has helped. Sincerely, Lisa Ryan
   — Lisa_Ryan

November 5, 2004
I meant to note in my original post that I asked my friend in our first conversation about the bleeding whether it was just a bloody discharge (such as comes out in JP drains)or frank bleeding. She said it was "dark blood." She was more concerned about the increased pain that started at the same time as the bleeding (hence, I guess, the surgeon's otherwise puzzling reference to pain pills). My friend tends to be both reticent with authority figures (unlike me!) and obstinate with her friends, so I hope she'll listen when I insist that she see her surgeon and not be put off with another phone call.
   — Virginia N.

November 6, 2004
Might be a blood clot in the tissues that liquified....they suually 'burst" open with a rush of dfark, watery blood. On a pad, you can see its mainly water and a small amount of red. Either way, I'd let the doc know about it.
   — DrL