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I am a little over a month post-op and I noticed today that one of my incisions seems to be infected. Last night my stomach was itching where my incision was. I didn't even think about it and I scratched it, I then realized I scratched the scab off of the incision. It didn't hurt or anything and I didn't think much of it. Today it was a little tender so I looked at it and there was some puss that came out of it (sorry, it's gross). I immediately washed it and put some antibiotic cream on it and covered it with gauze. It is a little red but not puffy and it is tender if I touch it. All of my other incisions are completely healed.

Has this happened to anyone else? Any ideas as to what to do? I was thinking I would keep the ointment on it over the next couple of days and if it gets worse by Monday I will go and see my doctor. Of course, if I get a fever or anything like that I will go to the ER.

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Yes...you did exactly the right thing. Watch to be sure the puss is draining and then will go from white to clear or reddish clear. If it gets worse call your doc....like red streaks extending out, gets warm to touch, more drainage etc. I used to be a wound care specialist. Hope it clears up easily with the antibiotic and bandage. Joan

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It sounds like you got on it fast. But just one more thing, be aware of any smell. During the window of the hole healing where my drain was they told me a change in smell also indicates trouble. That might only be because it was a large opening that was healing, but it's just something else to be aware of just in case.

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I was actually surprised myself! It seemed to be healed already, all of the other incisions are fine. I check them daily and didn't notice anything until last night when I scratched it!

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It sounds like you got on it fast. But just one more thing, be aware of any smell. During the window of the hole healing where my drain was they told me a change in smell also indicates trouble. That might only be because it was a large opening that was healing, but it's just something else to be aware of just in case.

I will watch for this, thanks. It's not my drain incision that I am having trouble with, it's a tiny one on the other side!

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Hey Sarah, make sure you're washing it a couple times a day with an antibacterial soap. I know that Safeguard kills even staph, so I've been using that. Dial also kills staph if you prefer that kind. I hope it gets better quickly! **HUGS**

Renee`

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Hi, sarsar! Had the same exact experience with my "drain hole" -- scratched, scab came off, little bits of yellow pus, etc. My surgeon took a look, cleaned it out, swabbed it, and bandaged it back up and it healed JUST fine. In other words, just what you did. Only worry if it gets worse :

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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 0 replies
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    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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    • KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
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