Port Incision Infected....

[Losing_It150 6]

I've noticed my port incision started to feel tender and now one side is red...I just had surgery on the 8th so I am still healing up. I gently pushed on that side and a tiny bit of fluid/puss looking stuff came out. I hate that it's Saturday and that I can't call my Dr until Monday.

Any suggestions on what I can do until then?

[SageTracey 608]

You could wash it with Dettol or some other antiseptic then be sure to keep it dry and clean and until you can speak with your doctor. Disclaimer: I have no medical training, this is just what I would do. And if it gets any worse, get medical help.

[bromo 17]

I would call my doctor's service and leave a message. Surely you would get a call back from the doctor on call today.

[ready4changein2011 70]

From a medical stand point, I would seek medical attention you do not want this to turn into something big by waiting. It could be serious, if it concerns you alot seek medical attention, You don't want to have an infection and not have it treated asap, being freshly post-op. I'm more than certain that the ER can reach your physician although its the weekend. I also agree with keeping the area clean and dry. Goodluck, keep us posted.

[whitetiger011680 11]

Mine did that too and I just covered it with neosporin and a band aid and it healed just fine.

[BaileyRose 13]

Call your doctor. He should have an on call number where you can leave a message. I have been dealing with an infected port for over a month now and it can get a lot worse if you don't take care of it now... I'm not trying to scare you, but I had a second surgery last weekend because of port issues which all started with a little infection. I'm not saying that's going to happen to you too... Just call your surgeon asap and he'll give you an antibiotic.

Hope you feel better soon!

[Losing_It150 6]

Thanks everyone. It seems the redness went down a bit last night and nothing else is coming out. I'm keeping it clean with hibicleanse and calling him in the morning.

[Losing_It150 6]

Ok, I called my surgeon's office...he called me back within 5 minutes and said he would call me in an antibiotic and I am to come see him tomorrow. I called bc the redness seems to be spreading and I am not putting off antibiotics any longer. I was going to wait until tomorrow but I don't want to mess around with this!

[SlimbandSexy 1]

Jackie,

Glad you called the surgeon. I am with BaileyRose on this. I have also been dealing with a port wound/site infection. The infection is apparently gone now but it took a round of antibiotic cream, a week of cipro and then 12 days of clindamycin. Nothing to mess with.

My incision opened up a little bit on the surface as well and has been draining for over 2 weeks now. My port nor the tubing were exposed - thankfully! My surgeon told me that if they were exposed he would automatically remove the whole band then I would have to wait about 8 weeks to heal and then have the surgery again to put a new one in. BaileyRose had a different surgery where her tubing did poke through and the surgeon was ok with putting it back in and sewing her up - and continuing the antibiotics (I can't speak for her but that is my understanding of her experience) We have both written posts about it recently so you should be able to find them on the Post-Operation section of this site. My post was titled Worried About Port-Site Infection.

Where my incision opened up is finally scabbing over and hopefully will heal shut and I won't have any further problems. Crossing my fingers because I would really like to get a fill and I have to wait until two weeks after I am all healed (and I'm not all healed yet). My infection started about 2 weeks post-op (August 10) and I am still not done with it yet.

I tell you all of this not to scare you but to let you know what has happened with me and so you can get an idea of how long this can take to heal and what the process might be like for you. I hope your infection clears up on the first round of antibiotics and there is nothing further for you to worry about!

[Losing_It150 6]

Slim,

Thank you SO much for the advice! I started the antibiotics as soon as I picked them up last night and went to see my doc this morning. He looked concerned and pushed on it...which hurt like all get out....the left side of my incision is infected and there is also a small opening like you described. It's not a deep opening but it is gooey looking. The redness seems to be going down a bit but I am praying I don't have any further issues. I also hope this is the end of any issues you are having as well. I know it's been a long road for you so far dealing with this!

Thank you again!