Infection?

[Clarevoyant 347]

I am 9 days post op and think my largest incision site is infected. It is very red and has puss coming out. I made an appointment with my surgeon this afternoon but was wondering if this has happened to anyone else. All of the other incisions sites look really great. It seems to have happened pretty quickly and I don't have fever. Hoping some antibiotics will do the trick? I certainly don't want to go to hospital but imagine that wold only be necessary if it was very severe and spread to blood.

Anyone experience this?

[kmorri 1,689]

Rest assured you've done the right thing by scheduling an appointment with your surgeon. They will take care of it for you and you'll be all better in no time.

[pjmckain 9]

I am 8 days out form my surgery. For the last 4 days I've had a tennis ball size hard lump under my largest incision above my belly button. It has given me a lot of pain during this time & seems worse today. I've been taking 4 extra-strength Tylenol every 4 hours. I've tried constant ice & then a heating pad that I'm using right now. My forehead temp is 99.3 & my incision is 101.3 - but I've used a heating pad until a few minutes ago. I have my first appointment with my GP on Monday but I'm scared it will get worse before then & I'll end up in the hospital again. That would be like prison to me! I guess I'm just begging for some reassurance! Thanks!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[Clarevoyant 347]

@@pjmckain My doc said it looks like I may have stretched it a bit and made it angry but it is not infected at all. He said the largest one always takes time and hurts most. It was reassuring to hear. If you feel it is getting worse over the weekend you may want to go to an emergency walk in just to be safe. The earlier they catch it, the better. Good luck!

[pjmckain 9]

Thank you so much! What you said was very comforting. I suppose I have been doing too much & may have made it angry like you said. I haven't had to take any of hydrocodone until today. I finally couldn't take any more of the pain. Maybe if I take the hydrocodone, I can limp through until Monday. Thanks again! I hope you are doing better.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[Clarevoyant 347]

I feel great today! Agree, you should use the pain meds if you are in pain, don't suffer through. Good luck and let me know how it goes.

[pjmckain 9]

Well, it not only was infected but I had the Doctor of infectious diseases involved. Shortly after I posted that on Saturday, I ended up in the ER. I looked down at my incision & it was leaking. Once I got there, I started sweating, my blood pressure plunged to 73/22 & my blood oxygen was in the 70's. I was admitted Saturday & finally got home late Monday afternoon. I am having the Home Health nurse come in every day to change the dressing & do other stuff to the wound that I won't gross you out with. My point is, I wouldn't have been so sick & in so much pain if I had paid attention to my symptoms: swelling, redness & pain. I'm slowly healing & getting stronger.

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[KristenLe 5,979]

@@pjmckain I hope you are better soon. This is a great reminder that if we have concerns, best speaking to our surgeon rather than assuming it's the same problem as others experienced. Glad you went to ER!

[Clarevoyant 347]

Oh my goodness. I'm so sorry but so glad you went to ER. Get well soon!!

Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

[heavenlydenice 0]

Same thing happened to me after my bypass except the infection did reach my blood stream and I spent almost two weeks in the hospital on iv antibiotics. It was horrible glad you didn't wait to long before going like I did.

Sent from my SM-N920T using the BariatricPal App

[Rebelette 1]

I'm currently battling the same type thing. A cultured specimen of the "seroma" knot on my largest wound revealed Staph. Strong antibiotic for that. I'm also taking two antibiotics for h pylori. Not a happy camper.

I hope you experience complete healing quickly.

Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App