Problem with Laprascopic incision healing

Hi
I posted a message a few days ago but only got 2 responses (Thanks to you who responded, I do appreciate it)..I wanted to ask again.

I am nearly 4 weeks post. and I have a navel lap. incision that looks worse now than it did 2 weeks ago. It just doesn't seem to be healing over. It is sore but not infected or inflamed. It seems to be leaking mostly pus but a little blood from time to time.

I called my GP and asked him what to do for it. He said peroxide and Neosporin which I have been doing. I guess it is not healing because it is hard for air to get to it. I have a verticle abdominal incision as well and that is healing fine. Like I said, I thought this was healing but about a week ago it began to look worse.
I feel great with this exception, it's sore.

Is this fairly normal?

I see my gyn. for post op. on 10/14.

Thanks for any advise.

Laurie
SAH/BSO 9/9/02

Hi! I think it is good that you spoke with your GP. I haven't had any problems with my LAVH incisions but I did have a problem with one when I had a LAP years ago. The stitch in 2 of the incisions healed fine but one of them (not belly button one), the stitch just stayed there. It started looking red and inflamed and doing what yours is. I knew it was from the stitch. I removed it!!!!!!!!!! Probably not the best thing to do by yourself of course but I have experience and it should have been out by then. I put peroxide and neosporin on it and it cleared right up.

I would suggest following GP's suggestions but if it hasn't cleared up in a day or two, I would make an appointment. Don't want any infections getting started there.

Good luck!

Christy

Hi Laurie,
When my right ovarie was removed several years ago, I had that problem. At the time I thought it might had been the staples that was causing the problem. Like you no fever, not feeling bad, except from the recovery it self. I had very extensive surgery at the time. I had endo, I believe, they just didn't tell me what it was, Just adheasions and they cleaned me up the best they could. Hmm. It was the only time in my life I had staples, So I am still not sure, if that was the cause. Personally. I don't think this is normal to get the infection like that. I did the same as far as treating it, with peroxide and ointment. That did help clear it up alot. If it doesn't seem to be clearing, call your doctor. The 14th might be too long to be waiting. It is important to deal with an infection right away, before it gets too far out of hand.

Oh, one other thing. Odd, but. That particular incision I had trouble as yourself, healed up better than all of the incisions I have had. It is the least ugliest scar on my tummy, and it is about 4 inches long. and the hardest to see. I have had 6 surgeries. This last one, which is 7 months old is still in waiting.

Good luck with the healing. Let us know how you are doing in the next few days.

Angl

I had the same experience at about 4 weeks post op. I had an LAVH and everything seemed to be healing up just fine. However the tiny incision at my navel started leaking a bit of pus. No fever or other complications. Common sense told me to treat it with hydrogen peroxyde and polysporin. When I called my surgeon describing the symptom and the "cure" I'd begun, she said that was just right. And sure enough, the "infection" cleared right up.

I think this may be very common, especially in the navel area where water and bacteria can get trapped in a newly changed area. I know my navel is now much deeper than it used to be. I have to clean it out every few days with a Q-Tip since it now tilts "upstream" and doesn't want to drain natually.

:

Hi,

My surgeon told me after my first Laparoscopy to expect my naval incision to ooze some pus at 3-4 weeks and to let it do its thing and use neosporin. Mine never did act up and this time it looks even better than the first time. I think you are doing the right thing and will heal up soon.

Patti

Hi,

I am 3 weeks post op and my navel incision is still sore, in fact its more sore than when I first had surgery. However I have not seen any blood or pus so am not worried. Sounds like your doing the right thing with yours-hope it gets better.


Pokey LAVH

Thanks so much for your help, ladies!!

I called my gyn. yesterday because it was still not healing with the peroxide and neosporin.

The nurse there said to come in today because the stitches that should have desolved did not and they were the problem.

A Dr. there took the 2 of them out this AM (ouch!!). They really wanted to stay in there. Oh well, hopefully all will be OK now.

Thanks again!!

Laurie