11 Weeks Post-Op - Incision Infection

Tomorrow I will be 11 weeks post-op (TAH w/BSO). I have had issues with my incision not healing well. Incision has opened up several times with drainage that is mostly clear with a little blood. Last weekend I noticed incision is open yet again and the drainage is yellowish and has an odor. Why has incision not healed completely yet and now an infection at 11 weeks? I keep the incision clean and dry, I have not been straining or over doing it during the past 11 weeks because the incision kept opening up. I am frustrated! I am also worried that I may have an abcess or at risk for staff infection.

I had thought around 6 weeks post-op that I may have had a fistula because I am leaking urine and I also have constant bladder pain, even more so when starting the urine flow (no burning or fever so a UTI is not suspected). I was referred to a urologist. The urologist appt was on 11/27 (last week). The urologist asked me to urinate in container placed on toilet. I was then catheterized (spelling?) to see if the bladder was retaining fluid. There was quite alot of fluid that drained out with catheter. The urologist thinks my bladder settled into its new home and "re-shaped" itself leaving me with a low spot that does not allow the bladder to completely empty each time. I was asked to take Detrol LA for two weeks to see if it helped. After four days I stopped the medication because it made me sick and gave me severe migraines. The urologist said if the medication does not work we can discuss a bladder sling. I am waiting on phone call back from urologist to schedule the surgery.

I just want all of this to be over and done with so I can focus on getting my life on track.

I hope my other hystersisters are recovering well and enjoying the holiday season.

ledge - I am sorry this is happening to you. I have had my fair share of complications also and it's no picnic. have you called you Dr about the incision? If not please do - it doesn't sound like it's sending you good signs.

Good luck and hang in there!!

Starbgirl

I am 5 weeks post op, and developed a wound infection one week post op. I was placed on 14 days of antibiotics, and am now being seen by a wound care specialist. I had two weeks of home health care nurses coming in and packing the wound daily, but now I do it at home and go in to have it checked every 4 days.

Please be aggressive with this there are some nasty staph infections out there, and we need to be taking care of these wounds carefully.

I would be as pro-active as you can, and get your doctor to pay attention !!!

Scottery: during the past few weeks when having problems with incision opening the doc would never prescribe antibiotics because I was not running a fever.

Unfortunately almost everyone in my office is getting sick and I caught the crud. I have felt like I have a slight fever today but now I will not know if it is because of the crud or infection in the incision area.

I meant to call the doc today but work was so hectic today I did not get the chance to call. I must make this a priority tomorrow!

I would call. How deep is your wound ?

Hi I had a TAH on 11/01 and just before my two week anniversary I noticed a bump filled with something white. As I strarted dabbing it to clean it, it bursted and ooz started flowing out(i know maybe tmi) but I did call the dr. and he saw me in his office that afternoon he made a small cut on the incision(to help it drain faster) and cleaned it and put a small wick. I saw him again the next day and he cleaned and packed it to make a long story short he cauterized it using the silver nitrate treatment he's done it three times and yesterday he finally said it looks like it was closing from the inside out which is what he wanted. I wil see him again on Friday, he said it was just to clean it.

Also, he did give me antibiotics to prevent an infection. I did not have a fever.
I'm also a diet controlled diabetic, so you can imagine I was very worried.
I wish you the best.

scootery: I am not sure how deep the wound is. I have not tried to check it as it is painful around the opening. The opening is only about 1/2" wide.

princess g: when the incision has opened up in the past it mainly drained clear fluid with traces of blood. Sometimes it was a ghastly amount of fluid that drained and I would have to change bandage and clothes because of it. Now that it is draining yellowish stuff I will certainly call my doc tomorrow to get an appt and hopefully some antibiotics.

My docs measure the opening, and depth, and how much it "tunnels" (goes up from where its open). I hate it when they measure, because of all the poking and pushing....sigh.

I just keep telling myself that it wasn't cancer, and that was what they expected, so this is a temporary problem to a great outcome.

Hang in there....