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Surgical wound infection weeks after surgery

Posted , 2 users are following.

Scottie13
Scottie13

Has anyone ended up with a wound infection post-surgery? I've overdone it and managed to tear some of the dissolvable stitches so had an open wound. Although it was covered I've managed to end up with an infection. How long did it take for the antibiotics to start working and to begin feeling better again? 

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Beenthruit
    Beenthruit Scottie13

    Posted

    I had a wound infection. It took two different lots of antibiotics to shift it. Normally it takes roughly three days for an antibiotic to start to work but it's really important to take the full course even if you're feeling better.

    Have you had a nurse or doctor look at it? You may even need restitching.

    • Scottie13
      Scottie13 Beenthruit

      Posted

      Been given high dose of them for a week so hoping they kick in quickly. Will definitely be taking the full course. Know only too well of the risks of not finishing them even if feeling better. Doctor had a look at it. Think the infection has been stopping the wound from healing as although was 5 days after the stitches tearing and wound reopening it was still bleeding. Was probably 2-3 stitches that have burst.  Wound has now been closed with steri strips and covered with a padded waterproof dressing to stop any more bugs getting in xx
  • Beenthruit
    Beenthruit Scottie13

    Posted

    Just take it easy from now on. I know the pressure of wanting to get back to normal, but healing takes time. X
    • Scottie13
      Scottie13 Beenthruit

      Posted

      Yep I clearly don't know how to take it easy either 🙈 Xx

    • Scottie13
      Scottie13 Beenthruit

      Posted

      So almost finished antibiotics but the bellybutton wound is still pretty red and a bit weepy. And hurts more to bend over. Hoping it’s not still infected! Did you end up back a week later to get other antibiotics? How did you know the infection hadn’t cleared up? xx
  • Beenthruit
    Beenthruit Scottie13

    Posted

    I had an appointment to have my drain removed and they diagnosed the wound infection, gave me antibiotics and an open appointment for a week. My temperature was raised slightly. The incision was starting to open up and was still livid after a few days, so I used the open appointment and they prescribed another antibiotic. I'm lucky in that daughter 1 is a nurse and she also wasn't happy with it, nor was she happy they didn't do swabs to see what type of infection it was. Luckily second antibiotic did the trick. 

    • Scottie13
      Scottie13 Beenthruit

      Posted

      Yeah I’m not happy the wound has become more painful again. 2 of the bigger incisions have been really sensitive since the start. I’m wondering if there’s maybe pus behind them as when the bellybutton one tore open there was definitely pus coming out of it. Haven’t had a temperature today but did last week and on and off til yesterday. It’s maybe a bacteria that this antibiotic doesn’t kill 👎🏼. Think I’m gonna need to go back and get it checked. Just feel like I’ve never been away from hospitals or doctors surgery in the past few months xx

  • Beenthruit
    Beenthruit Scottie13

    Posted

    I know how that feels Scottie.

    If the discharge is sloughy and yellowish green or smells unpleasant you shouldn't delay. Wounds can become necrotic. It's rare, but can happen. I'd certainly get a doctor or even your practice nurse  to take a look. 

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