Trouble With Incisions At 2+ Weeks?

[LoserMama 37]

Hi gang,

Questions for those down the road what your experience was with your incisions during recovery.

Early out my incisions were fine, when the staples were in. A little irritation from the staples on the middle top one from bra rubbing, that was fine once staples were out.

Then they took out staples and put on the steristrips and a week out from that, the first set of steristrips came off. When they pulled off I noticed one side of the largest incision on the right was gapping open about 1/4 inch. No infection or pain. They told me to get some wound closure strips and reclose it. Did that. That seems to be doing well.

Yesterday, my middle large incision felt like a little twinge when I got up. The steristrips were coming off that one so I thought at first the twinge was from the steristrips pulling away. Later took those steri strips off, and this one has some ooziness that it didn't have at all before. This one had some ooziness in the hospital, but it stopped in hospital and was fine until yesterday. So I dripped some antiseptic wound cleaner over it, let that dry and put wound closure strips over that one too, but wasn't sure if I should do anything to clean the **** out, or just leave it to scab over again -- what's the best approach?

[andersonlj 32]

With mine I have just covered them with some triple antibiotic ointment and a bandaid. When I change the bandaid I clean them off with a little peroxide. I did not have any staples in my outer incisions. If you continue to have problems I would go back and see your surgeon.

[Ms skinniness 3,003]

If it's oozing, I would go to urgent care since it's sunday. I wouldn't want an infection that can travel inward. Your health is the most important and I would hate to hear you have any complications from the incision site. Take care of yourself!

[Lissa 2,631]

My drain site oozed a clear pink Fluid after the drain was removed 8 days post-op. doc put a big bandage on it for three more days and it quit draining by the time I took off the bandage.

I would probably have someone take a look at it.

Lissa

[Happy Camper 266]

I saw my surgeon for the first time Friday since my surgery. He looked at the picture of my abscess and said because of me they now prescribe antibiotics pre and post surgery. When he saw the "scab" where the tube was, he said the infection could not get out therefore it went inward.

Definitely have someone look at it now.

[Dooter 1,457]

I saw my surgeon for the first time Friday since my surgery. He looked at the picture of my abscess and said because of me they now prescribe antibiotics pre and post surgery. When he saw the "scab" where the tube was, he said the infection could not get out therefore it went inward.

YIKES!! and <<shiver>> :s

[Mrs.Newme 21]

Oh my...that sounds kind of scary. If I was experiencing something like that, I would call my surgeon, but I would also clean with soap and Water only. From what I understand peroxide is damaging to skin, so soap and Water is currently the recommended thing for cleaning a wound, but I would think the surgeon would know best. When I was sent home, I was told to watch for fever, streaks, redness or swelling or any odor or drainage.

I was very fortunate to not need a drain, and my surgeon did not use staples to close me. He used stitches that dissolve and closed the edges of my skin with medical grade skin glue. I have only had one issue with an incision, and that is the top one and unfortunately it is irritated by my bra. I can't go without one and a sports one would chafe it more. So what I have done is immediately after my shower, I let the wound dry, and from my pcp's instrucitons apply a thin layer of anti-biiotic ointment.

I hope you feel better and heal fast. Good luck.

[LoserMama 37]

Well I guess I should clear up that it is not oozing now, it was yesterday, and pretty minimally. And now it's all scabbed over. Disgusting but here is a pic, one with the tape off on the bad side, one with it on.

http://s227.photobucket.com/albums/dd230/glassjules/?action=view&current=881569e8.jpg&evt=user_media_share

http://s227.photobucket.com/albums/dd230/glassjules/?action=view¤t=afdbf662.jpg&evt=user_media_share

[Mrs.Newme 21]

owwwwww

[LoserMama 37]

it actually doesn't hurt, just looks yuck. I called the oncall for my bariatric clinic, and sent him the picture. he said he felt by my description (clear ooze, not pus) and that it happened at this stage, and that there is no pain or heat or fever, that it is more likely a seroma. I'm supposed to keep an eye on it, and watch for expanding redness, pus, warm to touch or fever.

[Happy Camper 266]

Mine was warm and red/pink and it extended over my stomach like a child's foot print. Julie I sent you a message.

[Bcole 6]

My main incision had a pinkish clear liquid coming out of it last week (surgery was on 12/21) I was really nervous called my doc and the nurse told me not to worry about it, that it was normal. I don't know if I believe that so much.

The steri strips are still on there but it looked like it opened a bit. Now beside it, it is really sore, hopefully that's just trauma from the stomach being pulled out.

[LoserMama 37]

Hmm, maybe we both need to make another call to the doc, bcole.

[favoredone 590]

My incision near my belly button is still oozing some. but it's not red or hot.. I called my surgeon the day of my first post op when it started oozing Water like stuff... I have my 2nd post-op Thursday... so, we'll see what they say...

[Dooter 1,457]

My main incision had a pinkish clear liquid coming out of it last week (surgery was on 12/21) I was really nervous called my doc and the nurse told me not to worry about it, that it was normal. I don't know if I believe that so much.

The steri strips are still on there but it looked like it opened a bit. Now beside it, it is really sore, hopefully that's just trauma from the stomach being pulled out.

Ok Bcole-- I have been reading my patient info packet obsessively, because I haven't been sleeved yet. I remembered hearing about this liquid. It usually comes out of the drain that some people end up with. (Depends on the doc and the patient as to whether you get one or need one) It says about the color:

"A normal color of Fluid looks like light reddish Kool-Aid®. "

That can be coming out for a week or more, apparently. Does that help any? I guess this Fluid can seep out even if you don't have a drain...?