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Is that fish I smell??

Posted , 7 users are following.

elaine57319
elaine57319

Hi, I'm 8 days post op for bladder sling and A and P repair. Feel like a new woman since catheter removed yesterday. Recovering well, mooching about at home, been for odd walk and generally feel really well. However, I have what can only be described as a smell along the lines of Billingsgate fish market coming from down below! I splosh as much water as possible about down there in the shower and dry as throughly as I can but as you know the stitching is tender so am limited on how much digging around to dry I can do, however I do remove some white smelly stuff ( sorry for graphic details!) . Hospital did urine dip as I mentioned it when catheter was taken out and as positive for leukocytes they have sent it off. I don't feel like I have an infection and just wondered if anyone else had this delightful experience?

Many thanks 😷 X

0 likes, 17 replies

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  • Kegel8Stephanie
    Kegel8Stephanie elaine57319

    Posted

    HI Elaine, it will be an inbalance in your natural flora and fauna! When the pH level is unbalanced through excessive washing, infection, love-making, medications, surgery - it changes the pH levels and an odour may occur. This is also sometimes an indication of BV - Bacterial Vaginosis - again unbalanced bacteria causing the odour.

    There are off the shelf products that can help with a vaginal wash, wipes or creams.

    If it continues, then it might be an infection due to antibiotics? Sadly antibiotics knock out the bad bacteria, but also the good ones, so can leave moist areas open to infection such as thrush etc. 

    Hope this helps.

    S

  • clare08874
    clare08874 elaine57319

    Posted

    Hi I haven't had anything smelly, but I was told not to try and dry down there. I was told to use the shower head to rinse thoroughly and pat gently. Ive had no infections or smells. I'm 5 weeks post op.
  • Melons08746
    Melons08746 elaine57319

    Posted

    I had similar experience and did end up with infection, actually used baby wipes to clean which does help with the smell hope this helps x
    • elaine57319
      elaine57319 Melons08746

      Posted

      I've been using baby wipes when going to loo which does help. Will keep an eye on it if you ended up with infection after same thing. Xx
    • Melons08746
      Melons08746 elaine57319

      Posted

      I forgot to say I used Andrex wet toilet tissues for going to the toilet and Everytimei showeredi douched I ended up with 3 infections with just a week apart.but I did have the catheter for 12 days as my bladder wouldn't empty hope you feel better soon xx
    • elaine57319
      elaine57319 Melons08746

      Posted

      Thank you 😄 am using baby wipes as loo roll, I do think the smell was worse when catheter was still in. Will swish around a bit more with shower! X
    • elaine57319
      elaine57319

      Posted

      And poor you having catheter for 12 days! Having that was the absolute worse bit of the whole process X
    • Melons08746
      Melons08746 elaine57319

      Posted

      It sure was I'm week 9 after A & P repair and still not right but I think I've just been unlucky my Dr thinks my surgery has failed so I've got an urgent app with consultant this week but staying positive as it could just be something to do with the recurring infections hope you get on better trying the douching etc xx
  • VOWeaver
    VOWeaver elaine57319

    Posted

    I'm not familiar with products available in the UK, but I'll give this a try, anyway.  Look for an over-the-counter product containing Povidone-iodine.  It may be a stand-alone liquid preparation, or combined with a mild soap.  Use this to wash.  Don't use a cloth, suds your hands and then apply the soapy suds to your genital area.  If you have external laparascopic incisions on your abdomen, wash those areas the same way.  Rinse, using a cloth, but only blot, do not rub.  Dry gently.

    If you are allergic to shellfish, do NOT use this product.

    Hope this helps!

    ~VOW

  • moira34394
    moira34394 elaine57319

    Posted

    Oh dear, I had the same thing, smell and could see white matter which was an infection. Phone for a GP appointment and get it checked. I didn't feel ill, just really tired, and antibiotics sorted it out. Let us know how it goes!
  • robyn94818
    robyn94818 elaine57319

    Posted

    That's not normal. Sounds like thrush. Any offensive smell = infection!! As for douching - I would say that's a big "no no"!! Gently cleanse outside areas with one of the vag cleaning gels designed specifically for that area. All supermarkets and chemists sell them here in NZ. You should only ever use these specific cleansers for between legs anyway. Normal shower gels and soaps change the natural PH & can expose you to greater chance of infections. If douching was allowed then why are baths banned for at least 6wks. Think about it!
    • Melons08746
      Melons08746 robyn94818

      Posted

      I was told and also recommended a bath by my consultant as long as it was lukewarm water
    • robyn94818
      robyn94818 Melons08746

      Posted

      That's sure not standard or usual advice & Matron strongly recommended NO baths for at least 1st 6wks and then only after post-op check. It's just not good to moisten the sutures anymore than they already are let alone the high risk of adding in an infection!! I would be very seriously questioning a surgeon allowing a bath. Even sutures anywhere else on body aren't usually allowed to get wet until they are removed and wound healed. I fully understand that some people only have a bath in their house. I would tell them to kneel in thigh deep water with vag area clear of water & use a bowl to pour water over you.
    • elaine57319
      elaine57319 robyn94818

      Posted

      Am showering but swishing and sloshing some water around down there, think I'll make a doc appointment, stitches starting to feel tight and is actually more uncomfortable tonight than usual, but then I have been more active today

      Only advice I had from consultant was the no lifting, everything else I've got from here. Shocking really when you think of what a big operation it is.

      Thanks for advice everyone Xx

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