Is this infected? (warning, pic of incision)

[weso631 0]

You can't tell in the pic, but this is a bit swollen. It was more swollen yesterday. You can see the small incision is bruised which is probably normal. The port site looks inflamed, don't you think? I've been running a low grade fever (99.7 - 101.7) ever since being in the hospital. I am now 8 days post-op. Do you think this is infected?

[jllybean1982 0]

I don't think the sites look too bad, but I do see the redness around the port site. Is the skin around the incisions hot to touch? It's kind of hard to see the swelling in the pic. The bruising is a normal part of healing. Is there any drainage? If there is, what color? Does it have an odor? I'm a nurse, but it's hard to tell from the pics if they are draining. The fact that you are spiking a temp does worry me. Especially 101.7. have you called your surgeon's office? I would definitely contact them. Anytime you have a temp means that there is probably an infection somewhere in your body. Keep us posted!!!

[Hottieinaroundbody 32]

Neither one looks infected. Looks like they're healing normally. Just my opinion though

[weso631 0]

I don't think the sites look too bad, but I do see the redness around the port site. Is the skin around the incisions hot to touch? It's kind of hard to see the swelling in the pic. The bruising is a normal part of healing. Is there any drainage? If there is, what color? Does it have an odor? I'm a nurse, but it's hard to tell from the pics if they are draining. The fact that you are spiking a temp does worry me. Especially 101.7. have you called your surgeon's office? I would definitely contact them. Anytime you have a temp means that there is probably an infection somewhere in your body. Keep us posted!!!

There is no drainage or smell. It is warm to the touch though. I just saw the surgeon 2 days ago regarding my intense pain (which was from diaphragm pain). I told him about the fever. He said he's not too concerned unless it gets up to 102. I will be seeing him for my routine follow up tomorrow. I just didn't know how urgent an infection should be considered. You think it should be fine until tomorrow?

[lauragshsu 6]

It doesn't look infected. I was worried abotu an incision infection, too, but my Dr said unless I was running a fever (above 101), the site was hot and/or hard, not to worry too much.

[jllybean1982 0]

If you're seeing him tomorrow, that'll be fine! If he's not to worried about the temp, then you're probably okay! The fact that there is no drainage or odor is definitely a good thing! Some swelling is normal during healing. I don't think the incisions look bad at all..I was just worried about your temp. Good luck at your doctors appt!

[crsti41 0]

looks like its healing nicely

[weso631 0]

Okay, thank you all for your input. It puts my mind at ease. It seems I've been a nervous wreck about everything since the surgery.

[KathleenZ 0]

If you are worried or just want to be safe, try dabbing it with white vinegar several times a day. When I had my 1st child by c-section, the nurse told me to dab my incision with white vinegar several times a day and it would heal just fine. I did and didn't have any trouble. Good luck!

[onenuttynurse 0]

healing looks great...

[jen36 1]

Mine were the same but more red and I had red bumps all over my stomach and my dr. called me an antibiotic for 3wks. It is finally looking better but still bumpy.

[weso631 0]

I just got back from the 9am Dr. appt. They said it does look as if its slightly infected, so I will be starting an antibiotic today & hopefully this will take care of it. They want me to call them asap if it turns fire engine red or splotchy. I really hope it goes away quickly.

[lauragshsu 6]

Just out of curiosity, what antibiotic did they give you? When I went in for a checkup post op, I told them I thought it was getting infected, so he wrote me a small prescription of amoxocylin.

[weso631 0]

I'm allergic to anything in the penicillin family, so they wrote me a prescription for Ciprofloxacin, generic for Cipro, to be taken twice a day for 7 days.

[weso631 0]

I hope you don't mind me bumping this thread. I just wanted to give an update.

It has now been 2 months & 1 day since surgery. The Cipro they gave me previously did not work. They then put me on Clindamycin for almost a month, which was also resistant. I had to insist on a blood culture because for some reason they would not do one previously. I finally just got the results back & I am positive for MRSA! Not only that, but it is a strain that is resistant to Clindamycin. They now have me on Bactrim. I am so frustrated beyond words...