slight incision line infection

[kathyNH 0]

tell me what you think? I am an RN, who tends to not want to make a mountain out of a molehill!!

It has been 4 weeks since surgery. The larger of the incision lines had scabs on it then came off last week (on their own).

On Friday the distal end of the large incision line felt tender to touch or if anything leaned on it.

That evening I noted the distal end looks red and there is a pea size yellow area, like a blister in appearance.

The area is drainaing a pea size amount of yellow with every bandage change, so about every 8 hours I change it.

I guesstimate the area of redness around it is approx 3/4 inch in length.

Today I outlined it to be sure it isnt getting bigger. There does not appear to be any tenderness other than the redenned area. I have no other signs of infection.

I have been putting bacitracin on it.

I have my first fill on Thursday so am inclined to wait until then to see how this area does. It really seems like it is superficial, and just involving the incision line.

My only concers is this incision line is closest to my port.

So tell me, am I being a silly nurse to wait until Thursday???

[Melinco 1]

One of my incisions seemed to be infected so I called the surgeon's office, told them about it, and they called in an anitbiotic for it. I'd give them a call in the morning, tell them what you've told us, and see what they say. But I wouldn't wait until Thursday. Good luck with it!

[vlp1968 83]

I had an infected incision from a suture hanging out just a little. The doc took care of it by cutting the suture and squeezing (TMI I know). Anyway, he did say if it had been a port incision he wouldn't have done a fill.

I would call the doc asap and maybe he will prescribe an antibiotic. Just want you to be prepared you might not get the fill.

[BetsyB 9]

I'm an RN, too--so I understand your reluctance to make a mountain out of a molehill. (This is what can make us VERY bad patients!)

I'd ask the doc to call in an antibiotic. If you do it tomorrow, maybe things will be cleared up enough for your fill on Thursday.

And I'd lose the dressing, pronto, unless there is so much drainage that you're concerned it will get on your clothes. Otherwise, I think you're doing all the right things--keeping it clean, using Bacitracin, etc.

[coilygirl 0]

As an RN, I totally understand why you would be hesistant. You should definitely call tomorrow, so they can give an Rx or want you to clean it in a particular manner. I was being hesistant about calling regarding pain and heartburn, but I am going to call. Sometimes as nurses, we know too much and don't act on what we need to.

[mrsboomer 0]

Hi I would recommend calling your surgeon tomorrow. I was banded on Feb 8th 2010 and 3 of my 5 incisions have opened up and are also draining. I do not need more surgery as of now but at any moment may need to do so if they become infected or open up any further. I too have drainage coming out. My surgeon has told me that if the drainage is white and thick that is a sign of infection and also has me keeping them covered with dry bandages and tegaderm over the gauzes. I took an antibiotic for one week. My surgeon has to keep cleaning my incisions out every 7 days until they close. I would recommend calling your surgeon and letting him know what is going on. I do not know if it is your port incision but if that becomes infected then they have to go in and disconnect the port and take it out. It is very serious. My port incision is one of the opened incisions but we are just waiting and watching. As of now, mine are not infected. We are waiting to see if they open up anymore. Hoping that I will not have to have any more surgery. So, please be careful and call your surgeon. Good luck.

[kathyNH 0]

thanks everyone!

I called my surgeon and saw him today. Seems that my body was rejecting the two knots in the suture line beneath my skin.

Unfortunately he went digging for the knots and cut them out. OUCH!!!

my first fill is now delayed two weeks. sigh....oh well...just bumps in the road.

[coilygirl 0]

Glad you got some follow up and it is being treated. That sounds like it was painful.

[krista02 1]

so i am all most 4 weeks out and 2 of mine are really red they r not hot but they dont look good so how do u know if there is something going on with them