Post-Op Wound Infections?
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Topic: Post-Op Wound Infections?
Posted By: BuzzyBee
Subject: Post-Op Wound Infections?
Date Posted: 23 February 2009 at 6:45pm
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I had my stitches taken out today (4 incisions in my stomach from laparoscopic cystectomy) The belly button one is quite long and still hasn't healed over, it looks quite deep and is weeping and very sore around that area.
The one just above pubic hairline is about 3cm long and badly infected, even moreso 6 hours after having the stitches removed  . The whole area around it is inflamed/swollen and its all pussey and gross.
When my lovely gyne removed the stitches it didn't look half as bad, she's prescribed me some anti-B's as she could see there was an infection starting. How long until they should kick in? And at what point should I be really concerned about it or go get it checked again? Anyone else have this after a laparoscopy or any kind of keyhole surgery? What's worst case scenario? 
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Replies:
Posted By: monikah
Date Posted: 23 February 2009 at 6:55pm
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argh you poor thing that happened to me except they didnt catch it that fast. i wont go through the drama and recovery because i doubt yours will get like mine as id had mine a week before i got it checked, but put a circle (in pen) around the red inflamed area. it should start to go down a tiny bit as soon as you start on the antibiotics. if it spreads outside keep a really close eye on it for 24 hrs but if it spreads ALOT then go strait to after hours and get it checked. could be nothing but if it turns black (highly unlikely) go to a'n'e. dont be stubborn and let it spread too far or it can turn into an internal infection instead of just the skin. also try keep it dry but when you do wash it out dab it dry.
like i said it is pretty unlikely it will go nearly that far but its worst case scenario. on a side note, dont sit at home and eat all day like i did. lol. my recovery was really really long as i couldnt move much and i put on 8kg just before my wedding :( sorry if i have terrified you ------------- 
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Posted By: pepsi
Date Posted: 23 February 2009 at 7:02pm
| Also watch out if you start feeling feverish (hot/cold) and stuff cause that is also a sign of infection.. but it should really get better once you're on ab's. |
Posted By: BuzzyBee
Date Posted: 23 February 2009 at 7:02pm
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I'm a lil confused, see my gyne has put a waterproof clear plaster over it, so all the puss and blood etc is just accumulating in and around it? She told me to leave on for 3-4 days?
Same with belly one, she put some lil plaster strips down that were supposedly meant to help it heal over and create a smooth surface but hours later the plasters are wet from puss/weeping and no longer stick but still has the waterproof surgical plaster over it keeping it away from water. I'm scared if i remove that one my belly will open up and piss blood everywhere and ill bleed to death lol - eek! |
Posted By: pepsi
Date Posted: 23 February 2009 at 7:07pm
| I'm not a doc or anything but that doesn't sound right? When I had a post op infection (for a different operation) I had to go straight back to hospital and they had to cut away dead tissue and put in a drain. The dressing was changed daily by a nurse, so can't understand the idea of leaving one that is bleeding and full of pus for days?... I'd go see another doc.. |
Posted By: BuzzyBee
Date Posted: 23 February 2009 at 7:09pm
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When I saw her it was only at the inflamed raw looking stage, its started weeping/gone pussey only in the last few hours (it was my gyne/surgeon from the op that removed stitches)
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Posted By: MindyW
Date Posted: 23 February 2009 at 7:50pm
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You want to be cleaning the wound daily, A/b's treat systemic infections but cleaning topically is needed too. Daily dressings will need to be done to keep the wound clean. Go back and see the gyne or your g.p nurse ------------- My Beautiful Little Emily http://lilypie.com"> 
We've Waited for You Forever! |
Posted By: Kels
Date Posted: 23 February 2009 at 7:52pm
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Remove the dressing and clean it the area with saline ( make up your own salty water if you have to) then recover and just dress it daily cleansing the area once a day with the saline/salty water. Also if you can get some air into to dry it out would be fantastic too. Wil pm about that. Other than that continue with what the others have said about keeping an eye on the swelling. Have you taken your first dose of Ab's?? If so what time?? |
Posted By: BuzzyBee
Date Posted: 23 February 2009 at 9:27pm
| Took my first AB's around 5pm, just took another lot now. It's a pain coz i've been given flucloxacillin sodium and have to take on an empty tummy. |
Posted By: Kels
Date Posted: 23 February 2009 at 9:31pm
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Good stuff. glad you got 2 doses into yourself. |
Posted By: emz
Date Posted: 23 February 2009 at 9:56pm
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firstly, to help with the healing get yourself some arnica tablets, and I think zinc helps too? It helped heaps after my breast reduction.
Yes you should definitely be changing an infection wound daily. I had to wash with steri-sponges, pull away the infection, then put inodine patches, gauze then tape over. Ring your doctor. Argh flucox is disgusting! Would you believe my son has been taking that for his bone infection? It's the same strength as IV A-B's. |
Posted By: peanut butter
Date Posted: 24 February 2009 at 6:56am
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With my C-section wound I had some waterproof see through dressing on and it looked to me like it was pussy but everytime someone checked it in hospital they commented how good it looked with no pus or ooze. I think it was the way the dressing puffed up a little. I was told to leave it on as it gave a nice moist environment to heal ( a bit like a scab does without needing a scab). That dressign stayed on for 3 weeks until it was ripped off unceremoniously by my OB and then I had another put on that is still on.....but more like sticky interfacing that you use for sewing.
I would give your gyne a call and ask about it. ABs kick in fast so you should start to see some relief pretty quickly. However if it is also a bit inflammed that could take longer. ARe you still on painkillers? |