Incision back open again...

My incision had opened up at about week two a little on the end. Went to the ER because I was terrified and they said as long as it is not hot or red or seeping smelly stuff that it should close back up.

Well, it did but today I noticed a little bit of a pulling feeling back on the same side. I was resting all day because I am still coughing due to the bronchitis and finally getting my sleep back in order.

It is open again in the same spot, not draining but I noticed what looks like a long white thick string across the part that is opened up.

Should I worry about this? I will call the doc in the morning.

Thanks

Dear Sister,

I also had an open incision (navel) and I know just how terribly stressfull it is!

I'm sorry you're going through it again.

I'd say it'll close on its own, but I think you should do what you said: call the doctor.

Check if you have fever, too, and tell him/her about that (fever or not) when you call.

While my incision was open, I was supposed to go two or three times per week to the hospital, to have the nurse clean it. Then I got a scab and did not have to go back. The scab was there about one week after it was open, but the incision was small.

Hang in there, Sister. It is just a hiccup on your recovery, but the things inside are healing in spite of that.

Hugs!

Hi Sis,
I had one of my surgery sites open a little and then drain a huge amout of fluid ... SCARED THE CRUD OUT OF ME!! but it was only a seroma and no biggie but I know how you feel, The white string could be a stich showing. If the opening is reoccuring because of a cough you might want to use a butterfly stich across it to help hold it closed you can get them at any phamacy (ask your Doc about it) Just watch for smelly drainage, redness and or a fever! I had a pulling too but I was told that is the healing process and will ease up after a while as I heal better. Don't panic just be carefull! Hugs ...Letta

Stasialynn, I had both ends of my abdominal incision open up slightly as the knot from the stitch thread came out. The first end that opened happened around the time of a DR visit so I was able to show it to my DR. She snipped off the exposed thread, cleaned it and put a new steri strip on it. So when the same thing happened to the opposite end I was not concerned. (There was some time between both sides opening.) Though I let the thread fall off on its own on that side, I kept it clean and taped as it healed.

Is your cut vertical or horizontal? Mine was a "bikini cut" horizontal so it was on a nice, flat area of my body (don't have many of those, lol). My SIL had a vertical cut and challenges with it staying closed. I would think the fact that her cut had to travel through tummy was a challenge from the start. She ended up being treated by the wound clinic, but thankfully seems to (finally!) have all that behind her.

If you are in doubt, have the open area checked out. Your DR might be able to get you in, even if it's to see a nurse. Better safe then sorry. Good luck to you!

My whole incision came open. N I have to let it heal that way. I was on a wound pump for a few weeks. Now I just have a nurse come in everyday n change my dressing. The white thread could b just that. Or it could b just dead skin. Its very helpful to hold a pillow against ur stomach when u cough. They gave me a teddy bear in the hospital called sir cough a lot. He is designed for heart surgery patients. But he has been a god send fir me. I wish I would have had him before n this may not have happened to me. Either way its best to call ur doc. U don't want permanent excess scare tissues or anything. God bless u. U b fine