6 weeks post op and I have an incision that just won't heal

imawhodat · August 1, 2011

I have a teensy tiny incision on my right side. It is very red and scabby. I've also been having some significant pain around it. Its not oozing anything, just real angry red and tender. I am not running a fever either. Well tonight I decided to investigate it further. Getting out of the shower part of the scab looked like it was coming off. Instead of it getting ripped off I decided to gently remove it. Soooo....I tenderly pulled..nothing except a bit of pain. I did get some of the scab off and I discovered a thread! It appears to be an internal stitch that is stuck. I have a follow up appt tomorrow at 1 and I'm going to have them take a look at it. I'm afraid to mess with it because I'm worried about infection. I have been putting Bactraban on it 3 times a day. My other two incisions are healed and not even noticeable. They are almost the same color as my skin.

Has this happened to anyone else? If so, what did your surgeon do about it? I start my new job on Tuesday and hope this won't interfere. I'm just now feeling great after struggling for so long. The only real pain I've had since about 2 days post op is occuring now. I did take some pain meds so I can lay down without hurting.

Thanks y'all!

Penpen · August 1, 2011

Hi. I'm in my 6th week also and have 3 incisions that just won't heal up. They have formed scabs many times but as soon as I take a shower, the scabs seem to just wash away. I'm not scrubbing them either, just gently rubbing my hands over them with antibacterial soap and Water. I've had a little bit of clear Fluid coming out of them for about 3 weeks now. When I first noticed it, I called the doctors office. They told me as long as they weren't hurting, brighter red than they had been, feverish to the touch, have a foul odor, or as long as I wasn't running fever that it was okay and that what I was seeing was nothing out of the norm. They are raised and have been since surgery, so I'm thinking that there's a "stitch" issue going on there, like yours. I've read were others have seen some internal stitches that didn't dissolve and made their way to the surface. Mine itch like there's no tomorrow. I'm constantly scratching around them. Since I'm not having any of the problems they told me to look out for and since I keep them clean all the time, I'm going to wait until my next appointment in a week. I've waited this long, what's another week and I'm pretty sure they're not infected, just very slow to heal. Let us know what you find out.

SuperMom · August 1, 2011

I had the same thing happen. One tiny spot formed a little pimple looking thing that kept itching and when I accidently scratched it it popped and a little thread was sticking out. I could not help it....it was bothering me so i pulled it and it came right out with a little knott on the end. One of the disolvable stitches worked it's way out! Healed up great after.

imawhodat · August 1, 2011

I've tried to pull it "off" thinking it was a scab, but it wasn't coming out. It started stinging and I decided I'd let my doctor do it. Last thing I want to do is pull something out and then cause an infection...and you KNOW that would be my luck LOL. Glad to know this is common. I've had several surgeries and haven't ever experienced this.

I had the same thing happen. One tiny spot formed a little pimple looking thing that kept itching and when I accidently scratched it it popped and a little thread was sticking out. I could not help it....it was bothering me so i pulled it and it came right out with a little knott on the end. One of the disolvable stitches worked it's way out! Healed up great after.