4 months post lap - belly button incision still bleeding

[Sfarre]

Last time I went to see the doctor, I was made to feel like a hypochondriac, so I haven't been in ages. So I thought to check on here whether anyone else has experienced this. It is over 4 months post lap, and my belly button incision still has blood and other weeping fluid coming out of it periodically. It stings when I press down on my belly area. Anecdotally - it seems to get worse after a flight - it first 'spit' a stitch and bled a lot on my first flight following the surgery back in June, and following a flight last week, it really won't stop bleeding. I did get diagnosed with an post-surgical infection two weeks post-op and had a long course of antibiotics and extra two weeks off work, so I doubt that could be the issue again.

I just don't quite know what is going on! I thought its all meant to be healed by now??

[evickery1]

Mine was fine one month max after lap. I'd 100% go back

[Lisamaire86]

Hello I know it’s a old post but I’m having similar problems 4 weeks after how did you get on and did it eventually heal up ? Xx

[Sfarre in reply to Lisamaire86]

Hiya, no worries! It turned out in the end to be the surgical glue that was stuck in the wound and took a really long time to come out fully. I gradually had chunks of bloody glue come out of the wound at intervals - not pretty! The last piece finally came out a couple of weeks ago...several months post op!! I'm finally 100% healed but it did take about six months to feel completely back to normal.

It wasn't anything more sinister for me, but if you have pus or signs of infection then go to the gp as you might need antibiotics. Good luck!

[Lisamaire86 in reply to Sfarre]

Aw thanks for your reply, I’ve had a swab and came back normal but I’m sure it’s slightly open , I had dissolvable sitches with mine, did you have to have any further treatment to close it up ? Xx

[Sfarre in reply to Lisamaire86]

No I didn't. The medical team were very disinterested in it lol. I did hear that the belly button incision is the slowest to heal as it's an awkward shape and prone to getting stuff in it. Best of luck with your recovery!