Does it sound infected?

[Everlast]

Hi all I’ve posted a few times about my situation as it’s my first op I’ve had done I had a laparoscopy done on Tuesday and I thought my belly button was infected as it was stinging so I went to the doctors yesterday and she said it doesn’t look infected and took a swab cleaned it and sent me on my way well I was just chilling before and could smell something awful I removed the bandage from the bellybutton and it was stinking sorry for putting it so bluntly but it does I’ve just cleaned it with distilled water and salt and put a clean bandage on it but what now? Do I keep cleaning it or take a trip to the hospital it wasn’t hot to touch and only a little red

[Hannah0091]

Hi, I would keep resting and keep cleaning it. The smell is properly just puss, as it’s trying to heal. I had a similar thing. Take it easy, hope this helps x

[Everlast in reply to Hannah0091]

Thankyou Hannah I have cleaned it and it’s not as sore now I’m just sick of moaning on about the whole thing just ive never expected it to affect me as bad (first stomach op) hopefully I won’t need to post anymore lol xx

[Need2kno]

Firstly, if your wound continues to smell foul I would hot foot it back to the doctors as it is a sign of infection not worth risking.

That aside, my surgeon advised me to take the bandage off the day after the op and leave it off. Don’t get water on it for the first 5 days and when you do shower only gentle water splashing onto it and then air-dry the wound. Make sure your sheets/pyjamas/anything that might be coming into contact with wound is clean. My incisions healed very well and very quickly following these steps once I left the bandage off as the skin was able to form a dry seal. This is just the advice I was given and I am no doctor so be cautious listening to me as every situation is different, but it sounds to me as though your wound may have just been covered up a bit too long (like fingers going wrinkly in a long bath or a scab unable to dry out under a plaster) and tampered with a bit too much.

I was definitely nervous to take the bandage off so soon (especially as the nurse had told me how to change the bandages and given me extra before I was discharged) so I double checked with him the next day and he assured me that in his experience it was the best method.

So my advice would be : Make sure there is no infection, take the bandage off and leave well alone! Good luck xxxx

[Everlast in reply to Need2kno]

Thankyou for the advice xxxx

[Hidden]

Hello

So sorry to hear about your difficulties.

I had the same after my laparoscopy. Try some boiled water, cooled down and some salt added to it, gently use a cotton wool pad to wipe over the area. Leave to air dry. Some lavender essential oil and tea tree essential oil mixed together could also help. H&B also do some healing Manuka honey, not the eating kind, it is a special formula to promote wound healing.

Definitely keep and eye on things as you may need antibiotics.

Try and rest as much as possible, as the muscles need time to knit together.

Good luck and wishing you a speedy recovery.

CatPaws🐾

[Everlast in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou for the advice I’m being told from the pharmacy that it doesn’t look infected even though it’s really red and pussing also still smelling I nearly passed out today I just don’t know what to do x