I’m not sure if these are related but I didn’t get after care when I had a laparoscopy. My incisions weren’t checked by any medical staff from 2nd Oct 2017 till I seen a doc on 19th dec 2017! I don’t know if it’s normal or not to get after care after having this surgery? I’ll start at the beginning on 2nd Oct I had my operation my pain was gone for 3 days then came back full force. I was wondering if anyone got an infection after having this surgery? My symptoms didn’t appear till 3 months later. The incision on the left has swollen up, it’s red, tender & really hot to touch & the whole left side is really painful I have 4 incisions but only this one went like that. I went to the docs before Christmas they had a look at it & said it looked infected I was given a antibiotic I finished the course before Christmas was told by the other doc who give me the antibiotic to see my normal doc so I saw her the Tuesday before Christmas she had a look & said the same as the first doc but I didn’t get antibiotics. I was told to phone on the Friday before Christmas which I did & they were closed. I had a appointment on 2nd Jan which I had my bloods done again it showed the infection was still there, I was given more antibiotics & I’m now waiting on another blood test. My incision still looks, feels the same & I feel sicker than normal . Sorry for such a long post xx
Written by
Niamhy
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I'm sorry for what your going through. It's, awful isn't it, I didn't get no after care. Just told to keep the incisions dry for 2 week and clean round them with water and pat around to dry. (I think it's common practice) also got told if stitches get too much to go to practice nurse after a, week she'll take them out
I too had infection felt so ill it was the worst feeling ever I went to drs and they gave antibiotics straight away a, 2 weeks later I was in hospital and can't totally remember what happened but I do remember the Dr telling me and giving me plenty more dressings and saying to not even let my incision touch my clothes change it every day. And protect till all is healed.
I wasn't right till 3 months the pain the periods everything was horrid.
I wish you the best lovely I'd go hospital if was you get sorted once and for all if you can
Thank you so much for your reply. I kept them clean with saline water & changed the dressing everyday I can’t understand what I did wrong. Yeah it’s made me really ill I was given anti sickens tablets but they haven’t helped or the antibiotics 😔 that sounds terrible, everything you have been though I hope your feeling much better now? 😊 I wish you all the best too & thanks for all the advice I just needed someone who understands what it’s like dealing with docs & hospitals & also the infection on incisions, big hugs xxx
You did nothing wrong hun. It's just one of those things risks with surgery.
What the lady says, below sounds, maybe like what you need hun. I can't remember but I think they gave me an iv of antibiotics at hospital also. You defo need to get it sorted.
Hi I got though to my doc she saw me yesterday she had another look at it & said yeah it still looks infected but she said that she didn’t want to do anything & will try to get my surgeon to respond to her because she was saying that his really difficult to contacted. So I have been given my 3rd round of antibiotics. She is also sending me for a ultrasound to see if it’s bruised or if there’s scar tissue 😘💗 xx
Bloody hell. I'm surprised they're doing this and keep giving you antibiotics they should have sent you to hospital now hospital could give you an iv stronger and keep an eye on you till it's gone. Feel for you hun. Hope this set works 💗🤗😘
I know Same I think I’m more worried about it than them I was thinking if one round didn’t work how is 3 rounds? 🤔 I have no idea what they are waiting on! But thank you so much for your support it means a lot ☺️😘💗
I’m definitely going to do that I’m just trying to avoid it because of how they have treated me in the past. They seem to think we make this pain & everything we go though up & normally they just send me home with a box of paracetamol which is a joke. I know I just wanted to thank you personally for your support the last few days 😊😘💗💗
Bless you hun. I'm so sorry you feel this way I truly can relate it's diffict not being believed. But your infection will be there to see although we shouldn't have to feel better that they can see it but you know what I mean they'll do bloods and, get you sorted. 💗🤗😘😘
I know it’s so frustrating dealing with them when they think we make it up like really who would choose to live like this? I had my bloods done on the Tuesday when I went to my doc again still waiting on the results gonna phone doc tomorrow & find out what’s going on 😊☺️😘💗
Turns out bloods didn’t leave the surgery till today so I don’t have the results yet 🙄 I know I have yelled at them because this one doc, she just sat and played on her computer ignore me then I broke down because she was not interested in helping me or she didn’t even want to examine me so through the tears I came out with “it’s simple for you, you can turn off your computer & forget about me but I can’t do that I have to live with this pain & be treated like I don’t matter because no one wants to believe me” she looked at me shocked I was about 16 at the time this must have gotten to her some how because she stopped playing on her computer & looked me in the eyes & said we do believe you it’s just not are problem! So I just walked out! & I was still in tears my mum was in the waiting room not knowing what just happened. I was really frustrated at this stupid women I probably called her all sorts then I remember there was a camera above the lift & I was still saying stuff about that women 😂 I will keep drinking lots of water 😘😘💗💗
When we get frustrated and we're in pain and had enough the things we come out with are quite shocking yo ourselves sometimes. We don't recognize out selves,
What a joke they didn't send your bloods off hun omg your going to have to wait till next week now. Hun if it gets too much please ho hospital. Are you finding these antibiotics are helping? 💗😘🤗
I know it’s such a joke I thought they would have sent them quicker because of the infection but I guess there not that worried about it 🙄 I still feel the same I’ve been given 21 tablets to take this time 3x a day 😯 I still feel the same but I will give them a chance till there finished & if nothing changes I’ll just go to hospital 😊😘💗
Thanks, I finish them on Tuesday 😊 I know I hope they help me to because I have no idea what they will do next if it’s not gone because they can’t really give me more because that would be four sets of antibiotics in a row if they do 😯 I’m hoping something more is done this time. Where I live the snow was gone the day it fell because of the rain 😂 but they might try to use it as a excuse it would be mostly just the mountain areas & high ground that the snow would survive on 😊💗😘💗
If it isn't gone by Tuesday. I wouldn't even bother go back to your drs hun. I would just go straight to hospital explain your situation and they'll do tests there and then ∧ sort you out. Hope your ok lovely 💗🤗😘
Yep I’ll defo be doing that because I really don’t think it will be gone by Tuesday unfortunately 😞 because the symptoms are still there 🙄 I’m good thanks apart from deal with this hope your doing well? 😊😘💗
Let me know how you get on hun. Awful infection after a lap. Especially how long you've had it for. I'm not too bad hun just really sore and tired I just miscarried on Friday so recovering from that hun.
No problem thank you again for taking time out & responding to my msgs because you have been though so much, your a very strong women💗
So my doc has said about the bloods apparently after the first two rounds of antibiotics my platelets where at 45 I’m not sure what this means but now they are at 30 & she is much happier with them now but they are waiting on another blood result to come back but I’m going to see her on Friday & hopefully that other result is in but she said if it continues to be the same or gets even worse just go to A&E I don’t even know what test she is waiting on but I guess I’ll find out on fri. I think I can last till then 😂 hopefully they can tell me what everything means I’ll keep you updated 😊😘💗
Im not sure hun but i think your platelets must rise due to trying to fight infection, I guess the fact they're coming down and your gp is happy there is slow progress. Hope Friday gives you some answers hun. Do go to ANE though I'f it's too much. Your a strong woman to have stuck it out this long 💗🤗😘
Yep I was thinking that too I have always told them I think my immune system is weak because I catch everything I went to A&E when swine flu was about they thought I had that because of my symptoms & I was no it’s a chest infection. Then we had Ebola they thought I had because of the symptoms I said again it’s actual a chest infection but they left & came back with masks I laughed because then the test came back & the masks came of it was a serve chest infection 😂 now there’s some new flu I have looked up the symptoms & they describe what I would have to tell them I’ll probs be locked up in a room away from everyone they’ll be think I have that too. Even tho I know I don’t because of my incision & the way it’s feels I knows that. I defo will & thank you, I’ll let you know what happens on Friday when I see my doc. I hope your feeling a bit better? 😊😘💗
Unfortunately not I still feel the same ☹️ I have bloods today & xray on my hip I have just been told they found something wrong with it which is also on the left side. I got my appointment to see my surgeon on 12th feb I think so hopefully he can tell me more & I asked what happens when if the bloods say the infection is still there she said more antibiotics is all they can do until my surgeon does something. Then she said I was reading to much on the internet & I’m allowing it to control my life I just looked at her & said no I talk to people who have to deal with the same pain as me. She doesn’t get yes I’m young & I try to live my life the best I can but it’s all of the symptoms we have to deal with I have mine 24/7 & I’m just tired all the time but can’t sleep because of the pain & doesn’t help I cant move about a lot so when all my friends want to go out they want to dance & drink I just feel in the way like they have to sit with me & when I’m in loads of pain I just want my water bottle 😊😘💗
Awww hun this is awful for you, I'm so sorry for what your going through, just go to the hospital hun they'll be able to help with ivs and other fluids if needed. It's no good that these antibiotics aren't working bless you. Also I'm sorry for the xray finding lovely I hope it's something they can sort out real quick maybe that has something to do with ongoing infection,? Bless you I know what you mean about out and about with, friends I was like that at times when younger. Big hugs my love 💗🤗😘. I'll pm you later 💗🤗😘
Thanks for all your support it has meant a lot to me 😘💗 yep it’s been a terrible few weeks but I think I’m drained more than usual from my body fighting this infection 😔 I got the date wrong I’m getting the X-ray on Wednesday but in the last X-ray I had that’s when they found something wrong even though at the time I was told it was fine 🤷🏼♀️ so I don’t think it has any connection 🤔 all I can think is the infection is in the left incision because docs have looked & told me they saw it too & that’s where the really painful pain comes from so they have let my surgeon know 😊😘💗 big hugs 😘😊💗
Sorry for the late reply went to A&E on wed was there from 3pm -10pm I had a letter from my doc saying about an emergency scan because she was worried about my blood was high & something to do with the white blood cells so they did bloods & a urine test then I had to wait on the result before they would even give me the scan so I was called by a doc & he said I have a urine infection but when I get urine infections I know what it feels like & told them I don’t have the symptoms of a urine infection so I put on another course of antibiotics so that’s the 4th round since Dec & I was only given co-codamol when I got there & then I was sent home with the antibiotic & told I would have a scan yesterday so I had the scan & they are now saying it’s a bacterial infection in the wound but I need to wait on my surgeon to see what’s going to happen so currently I’m on my 5th round of antibiotics for the bacterial infection the doc told me today the other antibiotics I was taking one set was for a chest infection & one was for urine & the three where just general antibiotics so I was being treated for a viral infection instead of bacterial so basically the hospital to me if they don’t work it’s back to your GP to be honest they weren’t very helpful when I asked questions she & wouldn’t answer me 😊💗😘
Omg I'm in shock. Are they stupid I really wish I could remember the antibiotics my go gave me after my surgery when I got infection. I thought they'd be bloody clued up about all this.
I knew it was the strongest they could give and it got rid of most hospital just helped with rest. I can't believe how your being treated bless you.
I'm so sorry hun. I hope these work for you and if I was you when your better I'd definitely complain hun write a letter to your practice manager and surgeon because he still hasn't been in touch despite attempts to contact him
I know I was shocked to how I was treated by them I have had a docs letter before & I was sent straight away for a scan I didn’t have to go through all the bloods & urine tests again but this time I did. Then to be told after hours of sitting about waiting on them to do something I got told come back tomorrow I couldn’t believe it so I was fed up with them & said so I have to come back for a scan I was meant to have today! They didn’t get why I was annoyed at them.
I will defo complain because I don’t think I should of been treated like that & the fact my surgeon has been told I have had an infection since before Christmas & he won’t even reply 😡 I know I hope this time the infection is gone when I get bloods done again.
Big hugs I hope your feeling better? Thanks again for all your advice & listening to me 😊😘😘💗💗
I hope this gets resolved soon lovely. I would defo complain once your, back to normal this has been going on too long it's ridiculous. How they're expecting you to keep going through this. Big hugs my lovely. No need to thank me. Just keep me updated on you please.
So do I am so frustrated & annoy at them I mean they know I have an infection & I’m still just being given antibiotics that haven’t worked yet I’m now starting to get pain in my other incisions. I really don’t know how to get them to listen to me because they really don’t seem to care I have tried explaining everything they have done bloods & urine test multiple times which both showed that I have a infection, I have been to A&E they weren’t much help either & then I’m told I should carry on like normal with my life but they don’t get the full pic since I got this infection I have felt worse than before, of course I will keep you updated 😊 hope everything is well with you? 😘💗☺️
It's awful do you not feel these antibiotics are working? I'd go to the press if I was you you've had it since December it's crazy, the fact your getting the run around is absolutely bizzare, really that's madness. Do you have any support at home take someone with you next time you go to the drs and, get them to speak because this is getting out of hand. You also ring your surgeons secretary and tell her him it's, urgent see if you get any response it's disturbing how your bring treated.
Nope I feel the exact same like it hasn’t even gone away. I guess I have been ignored before so I’m just used to it now that I have other choice but try & get on with life 🤷🏼♀️ yep I have loads of support from my mum, dad & my bro. my mum has been there for me since the first moment all this started & has been to every appointment with me & has been writing letters to docs about how I have been treated I really don’t know what I would do without any of them because of the amount of help & support they have giving me. My mum has even argue with them because no one is taking this seriously & about how the antibiotics aren’t working & also she has phoned my surgeon constantly since before Christmas to let him know what has been happening & his secretary keeps saying that he will phone back but he never does it’s the same when my doc phones no one can get him to talk. I just hope no one else has to go through what I have experienced because it’s terrible.
I'm relieved to know you have support. Bless your mum, I can't get over these medics it's disgusting. So what's the next step now after these don't work?
I’m extremely grateful for the support I have at home & on this site because I know not a lot of women have that. Mum got talking to my doc yesterday & told her I’m still the same & about my trip to A&E my doc couldn’t understand why they would treat me the way they did she thought they would be better at helping me than herself. So she put me on a new antibacterial antibiotic for now & new sickness tabs so currently this will be my 7th antibiotic since before Christmas tho it has made my symptoms worse because it made me sick multiple times after 1 tab so gonna see if they can change them for me today 🙄 then my doc wants me to go back for bloods & urine samples once I have finished them. I guess they are just waiting on my surgeon to see me because it’s his field & they don’t know what more to do but keep giving me antibiotics I think it’s out of there depth because they can only seem to look at the incision & poke at it but don’t really know how to deal with the infection it’s self. I’m seeing my surgeon on 14 or 16th I think I have that many appointments I lose track of which is for what
So next week your seeing your surgeon I hope he gets this sorted ASAP. 7 antibiotics is ringing alarm bells really seriously. This is very odd
Glad your mums on at them. You keep resting and hopefully this new set will help if not your surgeon next week needs to do something. Big hugs right back at you 💗🤗😘
I think it’s next week, I have a letter from my gp again to go & get an antibiotic through a drip today because the other antibiotic made me feel worse so I told to stop it so I’m going back to A&E today to get the drip done & hopefully it can stop the infection. I know I thought 7 was a bit much & I feel like I’m not being told the whole story I just have a feeling by the way the act around me like there’s more to this but they aren’t saying anything 🤔 I mean I thought 1 antibiotic would help but 7 & it’s still not gone doesn’t same right to me 🤷🏼♀️ I will let you know how I get on today hopefully they won’t treat me the way they treated me last time because they didn’t even read the letter my doc give me so hopefully this time they read it & I don’t have to do pointless tests again like bloods & urine. I just hope someone sorts this out because I haven’t really been able to eat anything or I’m sick. At least I have my mum to come with me. Big hugs hope your doing ok & getting plenty of rest? ☺️😘💗💗
I was thinking there's more to it and I bet these medics think there's more to it. I'm not gonna say what I think don't want to worry you but they need to get to. Bottom of this. When my infection didn't clear after the abs the strongest ones they give too hospital give me an iv at that was after first lot failed. So 7 lots is, an absolute joke that's not even funny one bit it's quite shameful to be honest.
Good luck hun send my love to your mum fingers crossed this is it.
It’s worried me because there has to be something & no one wants to say it they are all waiting on the surgeon. I always thought if one didn’t work they would have to find out what was happening but 7 rounds later I still feel the same I feel like I’m going round in circles. I have a feeling it’s going to be a long day today because I have really bad veins when they try to take blood never mind them trying to inject something into them they always collapse the last time I need something injected it took to docs working on both arms 😔
Thanks I will, I think my mum is like me she doesn’t understand why when the antibiotics aren’t working they aren’t looking for the problem she even thinks there is something they aren’t telling us I’m hoping this is the last antibiotic & it works this time 😊😘😘💗💗
So I went to A&E again they ignored the letter from my docs again I had to have bloods & urine test done. That took for ever because they had to put in a line in my hand then take blood then after about 4 hours in the waiting room they brought me into room the doc examined me she then said that my bloods show inflammation & infection so I was given paracetamol though a drip & then she went & got a general gynae doc he had a look & said my wounds now look ok but he said the infection could below the skin so I would need a cat scan but I probably wouldn’t get it because of age so I said I have had one before he said he needed a good reason for me to have it, you think after 7 antibiotics didn’t work that would be a good reason but then he said I’ll go & talk to a surgeon who preforms the surgery to see what he says. He then came back & said I spoke to your team & they are seeing you on Friday so I’m not going to do anymore they can make the decision then. So I didn’t get give the antibiotic though the drip like my doc asked for & I still have the infection even though my doc had put on it that this is serious because of the amount of time I have felt so sick. A&E were like why are you here again & I told them they still didn’t get why I would go to A&E after me explaining I have had 7 rounds of antibiotics & I still have the infection so my mum had to say it all again because they weren’t listening to me, all about the infection & how sick I have been since before Christmas so I was sent home when my paracetamol was finished so now I have to wait till Friday to find out what my surgeon is going to do about it ☺️😘💗😘
I know it’s ridiculous how I have been treated & I will defo be complaining again about how I have been treated.
Oh no I hope you feel better soon! Big hugs! I hope it’s the end too & maybe I will be treated right this time & they actually will get to the bottom of this ☺️😘💗
Unfortunately, although im sure its not right, it does seem common that patients are given very little aftercare, if any at all. I had a hysterectomy and was treated the same.
With regards your incision you may need to have a swab or sample taken from it to distinguish the bacteria type. I had an infection after my first lap which didnt become prevalent until 3 weeks po. It took 3 different lots of ab's to clear it and the last one was a very strong to treat a multidrug resistant bacteria. It was only be taking a swab and sample that they could identify that usual ab's were not going to work.
Keep on there case and if need be go to the hospital.
Thank you so much for your reply. It’s terrible how they treat people they just don’t seem to care. I’m sorry you had to go through that! I’m phoning them @ 8.30am to see if my doc can see me today. I was thinking after the first round of antibiotics didn’t work, is the second lot going to work. Hopefully I get through to her this morning & she can do my bloods & see what’s happening they said something about my white platelets being low. I will request a swab also thanks again for your advice xx
I've been offered no aftercare at all. Had lap yesterday. Just been told to shower in 3 days and change dressings. That's it? Guessing 3 days after that I can remove them altogether? I'm literally clueless. No mention of bathing, and when I'm allowed. It's crazy.
Me too! If you find out any more info, please let me know. My incision is starting to itch a lot and I’m not sure if I’m supposed to keep it covered or not?
My incision was really itchy & irritated with the plasters after a while so I took them off after 3-4 weeks maybe but changed them maybe too much but I took it off because I was scratching the plaster in my sleep (I have very long natural nails) but it was around the incision that was really itchy, red & really dry so I ended up with scratches. I used a bit of E45 cream on it but only around the incision not on it. I was just giving more antibiotics today but now it’s just the incision that’s really painful, red & swollen. When did you have your surgery? X
I was the same just showers I had no idea when I could have a bath. I wasn’t really told when I could remove the plasters completely. At least if we got given a leaflet with the info maybe this wouldn’t be happening to people 🤷🏼♀️ I’m sorry you have to also go through this. Thanks so much for your reply x
When I had my lap they changed the dressings straight after as they were a bit mucky. Then I was given a few spare just in case. Think I changed one of them once because it got wet. Kept them on for about a week and went to the practice nurse and she said I could have taken the dressings off ages ago. I would advise not changing the dressings every day as you’re disturbing the healing environment. Only change if necessary. I even pulled my own stitches out because they were taking ages to dissolve! Good luck x
Yeah they did that with me to & I got some to take home with me. At first I was told I would see my surgeon the week later to talk about what happened during surgery & I was told I would get a letter then I phoned because I didn’t receive a letter they then said it would be a year before he would see me. Till this day I still don’t know what happened during surgery I was just told I have endo & that was it. My doc has tried to get info but has been unsuccessful also. My sure when you pulled out the stitch it was very painful. Thanks for your advice & good luck to you also x
I am really very furious about what's going on with u . I really wish I could help u . U poor thing Can u not walk into some other hospital. Bcoz I agree with others u possibly need iv antibiotics. And also there r life threatening things that can happen.
I had a infection in one of injection sites nd was given few course of antibiotics . Which didn't help and at d end of 4 months It became an abscess then had to have 3 inch surgery to remove it . So plz don't ignore ur problem .
Unfortunately the other hospital close to me has closed it’s A&E department. I have been fighting with docs in A&E to help me but no one seems interested even my doc has been writing letters for A&E to help me but they ignore the letter even tho it requested I have an antibiotic though the iv. My bloods since before Christmas has show I have an infection & docs have said my incision looks infected but A&E aren’t taking me seriously. I know how serious it can get that’s why I have been doing all I can to be heard but they don’t seem to listen in A&E I’m defo not going to ignore this because I have been worried about it but I’m struggling to get A&E to listen like even my doc doesn’t understand why when they can see in the bloods alone that there is an infection the choose not to help me x
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Why do I have pain 1 month after surgery?
Laparoscopy after care...
What was your lap after care instructions? 
