Seroma

[BamaNurse 16]

I am 2 weeks post op and everything had been going great. A couple days ago I went for a walk and really pushed myself. After I got home the area above my belly button started becoming hard, red and warm to the touch. By that afternoon it was bad and there was a soft area in my belly button that wasn't there before. I called the surgeon and told her that I believed I had an infection. She called in some antibiotics and it began to look a little better. I had my 2 weeks check up with her yesterday. Apparently, I have a seroma where the incision/hernia repair is. After getting home from her office it burst. So much Fluid came out! Now I have to go back tomorrow so she can debride/remove some of the skin that is now hanging from my belly button. I'm so scared! Hoping it will not be too bad. Anyone else have a horror story like this?

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

I didn't have any issues with my sleeve, but when I had my hysterectomy I ended up with a 6 inch deep abscess. The surgeon had to lance and wick it in order for it to heal. I had in home nursing come do a wound change daily. It was yucky, but I followed my doctor's orders and it healed just fine. The worse thing was the reaction to the high doses of anti-biotics I had to be on. Make sure you are eating plenty of yougurt. I would also add a small 2 ounce shot of real cranberry juice like knudson's brand. If you are on antibiotics for more than a week, get a script for diflucan.

It's a pain in the rear, but keep it clean and let the meds work. The debridement may be uncomfortable, so I would take an OTC pain med an hour before the appointment.

[dwstarr 6]

Me, I'm dealing with it now.

[BamaNurse 16]

*Update* The debridement went great. I had no pain. Still having to pack it and it's still draining. It's going to take some time to heal but I'm glad there were no further complications. Thankfully I have a wonderful husband who has learned to help me do the packing every day.