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Belly button incision

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Guest
Guest

It’s been a month since I’ve had my gallbladder removed. 

I went for my first follow up and the doctor said my belly button incision was infected slightly. Took a weeks worth of cephalexin 3x’s a day. Went back after the week was done and doctor said it looked fine, was still a little red though. This was 21st of Feb. 

I’m still experiencing soreness, some drainage from the incision and mild itching. The other 3 incisions are fine, they’ve healed nicely. It’s just my belly button area. It looks like there is a crater in the bottom of the inside of my belly button - TMI, sorry. It’s kind of gross to look at...

The doctor did say I could pour peroxide inside of my belly button or take a q-tip and wipe the area. I have not done that yet...I clean it every day with soap and hot water though. 

Is it normal to still feel some soreness from this area even though it’s been a month?

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Beenthruit
    Beenthruit Guest

    Posted

    It always seems to be this incision that causes problems. 

    Clean gently using cool boiled water and cotton wool balls. One gentle wipe, then discard and repeat. Wash hands before and after cleaning wound. 

    Did they take a swab for the labs? These days antibiotics are specific to a particular type of infection. It may be that your infection is from a different group. You may need another. I had to have two different antibiotics before mine cleared up.

    What is your body temperature? A raised temperature is a sure sign of infection. Also the wound may feel hot to the touch. Watch for any changes. Is the discharge yellow or green and foul smelling? If the wound turns dark, this could be a sign of necrosis and you need to see a doctor at once. In fact, dont hesitate to see a doctor if you’re at all concerned about the incision. Better safe than sorry.

    • Guest
      Guest Beenthruit

      Posted

      Hi beenthruit,

      Thanks for your reply.

      The surgeon did not swab the area. He just looked and said it was red and that he would prescribe me antibiotics. Then when I went back after finishing the he said the area looked fine. So I just left it alone.

      My body temp has been fine, I haven’t had a fever or chills. The redness at the site isn’t spreading and it’s not excruciating pain. Honestly it’s just when I lay on my stomach. 

      No smell or yellow, green discharge. There is clear discharge and it does get hard and brown around the area. Gross, sorry, but I just clean it off. 

      If I decide to go back to doctor would I call the surgeon or go to my personal doctor? 

    • Beenthruit
      Beenthruit Guest

      Posted

      Think you have to go to your own doctor if you’ve been discharged. I ran a raging temp a week after I got home and at first they wouldn’t readmit me. My own doctor had no appointments as usual. I dialled 111 and got to speak to a doctor who gave me an almost immediate appointment at an urgent care centre. However I cancelled this when hospital rang and said they would readmit me after all. 

      Nobody tells you what to do if you’ve problems after discharge though. 

  • christy98649
    christy98649 Guest

    Posted

    i have not had any drainage from mine but my belly button incision is still red. my dr said my pants might be rubbing against it causing it. i have no signs of infection though. and i was also told i could use peroxide if needed. it will clean out all the germs in there.
  • seb76081
    seb76081 Guest

    Posted

    My daughter had the same problem a few years back. Operation was in January and the belly button healed completely in June. It was mildly infected and she had 2 courses of antibiotics. The glue they use to stich up took a long time to fall and that didn't help. But all good in the end! Good luck.

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