Need some advice ladies please

Hi Gemma. Certainly sounds like infection if smelly discharge. Betty to treat. I would imagine local GP if only minor. Unless hosp said get in touch with them if you had any concerns. Hope you get it sorted today.

Gemma I would ring the hospital but in the meantime have a bath with saxa table salt. My consultant recommended it & its the only time I get relief from stitches.

Hi Gemma, It could be that your stitches are simply dissolving or it could be that your body is reacting to the stitches. It is quite rare, but the latter did happen to me. So do go and ask your GP to check. My stitches around the perineum became very sore and inflamed and from the vagina I started at 2/3 weeks getting a discharge that was slightly smelly and specked with watery blood. (I'd had a rectocele and cystocele repair done with a tightening of the perineum). I went and saw my GP because I was worried, who after an examination said there "were signs of slight inflammation and granulation around the stitches". She sent to see the consultant again who at first gave me a course of antibiotics. These did not work. The lady consultant then said I was one of a few who do react to the dissolvable stitches. The stitches "cause patches of inflammation and 'granulation' and the best treatment was to cauterise the site of the stitches". I returned to the outpatients Gynae clinic the following week where a member of the Gynae team, cauterised the area using a Silver Nitrate pencil. Although this did sting and felt like a cigarette being put out on your skin it was bearable and the main thing was, it did the trick. In just a few days I knew all was well and everything had healed nicely. That was 16 months ago when I was 69. The rest of my recovery went really well with excellent results. Go and see your own doctor first. An antibiotic may be all you will need. If you have an examination, ask if he/she sees any signs of "granulation around the stitches" ? (If you google granulation it will explain what it is. I had only heard the term used on racing car tyres in Formula1 racing!!) 

I'm sure it'll be something simple but at least you know - if it is a reaction to the stitches it can be put right successfully. Don't sit around worrying, go and discuss it with your doctor. You'll be fine, honest. Let us know how you get on. LadyPink

Hi Gemma, 

Tut-tut .... and they wonder why so many of us are losing faith in our NHS??? Suppose the doctor didn't have the time?!?

Try ringing your consultant's secretary and explain the problem. Her number will be on the top of your hospital letter. She may be able to squeeze you in for an appointment or she may advise you first to see another GP at your medical centre?   Call today and get it sorted. Let us know. LadyPink

Gemma, i agree with Ruth,, seems to me you have a small infection which is not abnormal, but you should get in to see your Dr before your post op appt, if its smelly its def an infection.

Hi gemma

I had similar op and found it useful to soak a chunk of cotton wool with witch hazel (bought from most chemists) And held it to stitches after every trip to the bathroom This reduces swelling & keeps things really clean& is soothing. Also if you ars still wearing pads if you are loosing blood or discharge, make sure they are cotton pads you are using as some of them seem to have a plastic coating and i think they encourage sweating which is not good for the area. Remembered the information from my midwife after birth of children.

Thi Gemma, if the hospital told you to Ring them if there were any issues I'd ring them. If they didn't, ring the doctor. You just need to get this checked out. You won't be bothering them - this is their job! 😊

Feeling a lot better now antibiotics doing the trick must of been a infection because my discharge has changed hardly anything now looks like it back to normal 😊 thanks for your advice ladies.