redness at port site

[ausamerican33 0]

I had my surgery on Wed, so I'm on day 3 post op. My port site is slightly red, hot and swollen. Not terribly - but just noticable. Does anyone else have this/had this at this stage? I'm absolutely terrified of infection, and hope that this is just normal. Help! It doesn't hurt anymore than it has been, it just looks different. The redness is about one inch out from the incision site.

[BetsyB 9]

The redness is pretty typical, but it should not be warmer to the touch at this point.

I'd give the doc a call; s/he will probably want you to start antibiotics.

I know this is worrisome, but it's common, and just a blip--it will be okay.

[ausamerican33 0]

Thank you for your reassurance. Of course - it's Friday night, 7pm. Sigh. I think I'll ice it and evaluate it tomorrow, and def. call if does not look better or if it looks worse.

[onikenbai 33]

Put your thumbs together on your skin over the red area and pull them apart slightly (Pull along your incision lengthwise so that you don't pull your incision apart!) If the skin under goes white or at least lighter, you're good to go. If it stays bright red, you may have an infection, but not definitely. Your skin is likely just reacting to being cut open and you are likely fine. Hot, red and swollen are all common in perfectly fine incisions and itching may be next!

[BetsyB 9]

I'm really sorry--I missed that you were just a couple of days postop.

The warmness is likely just fine--your body is still in the VERY early stages of healing. It should resolve over the next week or so. If you develop a fever, or notice drainage from the site, then call your doctor.

PLEASE DO NOT PULL ON YOUR INCISION LINE. Causing it to blanch in that manner does not really indicate anything about wound healing, and can badly interrupt it.

[ausamerican33 0]

Thank you! It's no worse this morn - let's hope it's just normal.