*GRIM IMAGE* is this a normal post lap belly button?!!

[Elv-Marv19]

Hi guys, I had my first lap 5 weeks ago and looked after my stitches as told too, they all came out last week but since then my belly button has been ‘leaking’ so I’ve been cleaning it with a cotton bud and savlon in case of infection.. tonight I noticed before cleaning there was dry blood around my belly button, so I very careful put the wet cotton bud in and ALOT of blood came out, after using 4 cotton buds and still fresh blood coming out I got my phone torch out and had a look inside.. this is what I’ve found!!! Now I’m trying not to panic as I’m not in any pain but I can’t get into the docs til Friday.. has anyone had a similar thing they can tell me to put my mind at ease or is this an A&E situation???

Ps, On the other side the wall is white (it looks like muscle tissue)

Thanks in advance from a very big worrier!!! X

[Hidden]

I think this is an A+E situation! I've had 2 laps and after 5 weeks there shouldn't be any bleeding, I think you should go get it checked out as you don't want to risk any infection. hope you're okay! xxx

[Elv-Marv19 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! I’m not in any pain at all and fine within myself just worried about it!! I’ll get it checked out!xxxx

[Chillier]

Hi Elv, mine looked like that with bloody, yellow and green discharge. I had an infection and needed antibiotics and some special dressings on it for around a week. I would get in at GP asap or call 111 if not. Also when it healed it turned into a purpley scar so don't be too worried if that happens. Hope you get sorted.

[Elv-Marv19 in reply to Chillier]

Thank you! I’ve rang my GP & can get an appointment tomorrow morn so going to wait til then! I’ve been smothering it with salvon and covered it up whilst at work but I’m no pain luckily!! Thanks for your advice! X

[luthien]

I found savlon actually made mine look like that; weepy and bleedy after my first lap, on the second I'd had it all figured out. It's because savlon breaks down the scab forming - some of them do say not to use on broken skin for that reason. It's unfortunate that it's not clearer.

Definitely see what your GP says, make sure it's not infected. Innies can be prone to not letting air in!

I went to docs and he said "just add some dressing inside it to air" he didn't give me antiobiotics or a cream as he said the creams break down healing scabs, best to just let it heal naturally - he know's I don't like medicines though and checked it wasn't infected so didn't suggest antibiotics - some do as a precation but I feel if it's not needed it just clears out all the bacteria in your body causing more problems.

I used a tried and tested method - two laps and suggested to many women! If it's an innie; get some non adhesive dressing - stuff from the inside of a plaster ususually separate in a first aid box, cut to about 1 cm by 1/2 cm and roll up. dab with colloidal silver (from amazon) / diluted tea tree oil / diluted witch hazel or aloe vera gel. Then roll up and place in belly button - so it just goes in, not all the way; this helps keep bacteria at bay while letting the incision air. Replace twice a day, if it doesn't come out add a bit of what you've used above and wait 5 mins. Don't clean or poke anything in.

Keep replacing until the rolled up dressing comes out clean and dry. It took mine about a week and a bit.

Leave to air overnight with no dressing / plaster - if it's healing then just leave to air completely.

If there's any scabbing and you're worried about catching it - moisturise with a little coconut oil or argan oil, but let it heal first so it's not weepy.

If any incisions get really warm to the touch (they will be a little warm while healing) or weep yellow white stringy stuff / bleed again / fever, achey "bones" go to a GP or local walk in centre as that's signs of an infection.

I know medical grade manuka honey is meant to be good for "wet healing" but not tried it yet on any incisions; maybe next time. It's meant to work by providing a microbe free wet environment for delicate new skin to form without scabs forming first so it heals quicker with less scarring.

Hope that helps you xx

[Faybee87]

I can't see your picture but mine had a big slough plug that delayed healing and led to me having to go to the doctor's every other day for 3 weeks to get it cleaned and dressed with inadine patches. They thought it was an infection at first but the swabs came back normal. Please don't put anything like savlon on it, I would get to your doctor's asap, the nurses should be able to treat you. X