I had some pretty intensive surgery done this past Thursday, and I noticed today that the incision, which has been stapled together since the surgery, was still oozing.

I was wondering, for those out there that have had surgery, if this was normal...to be oozing so long after being "stitched" or stapled up.

8/31/2006 11:44:05 AM

I had shoulder surgery done in jan in which they stapled me. Mine was like that for a while, it quit after they pulled the staples out 2 weeks after they surgery. I would keep an eye on it though to make sure it dont get infected, and change the dressings regularly.

8/31/2006 12:19:45 PM

i wouldnt worry about it and do what alfgard mentioned

8/31/2006 12:21:15 PM

Did your doctor not talk to you or give you any handouts about what to expect afterward? I thought doctors were always supposed to tell you what to expect. It's been several years since I had surgery, but my doctor told me what was normal and abnormal after surgery.

8/31/2006 12:25:51 PM

He said that weeping would occur for some time, but didnt say exactly how long. And so far, its a clear-red liquid, so the wound doesnt seem to be infected in any way.

8/31/2006 1:05:27 PM

They forgot to close the incision and your insides are coming out

8/31/2006 1:15:40 PM

I would call and ask the doctor to be safe.

8/31/2006 1:43:35 PM

not to be gross,is it oozing semi clear? mine did for a bit after surgery, healed up nicely- but i warn you. it's going to start to itch. this part of healing, depending on how big the incision is, is one of the worst, imo. that constant nagging pinchy, itchy feeling.


i didn't require any other treatment for the cut during the "ooze" time.

[Edited on August 31, 2006 at 1:45 PM. Reason : i see now]

8/31/2006 1:44:23 PM

its clear-reddish

8/31/2006 1:57:46 PM

i got my wisdom teeth out last week

tons of fun

8/31/2006 3:10:55 PM

it means ur dying

8/31/2006 3:13:50 PM

call the doctor you idiot

8/31/2006 3:33:02 PM

take your percocet and stop thinking.

8/31/2006 3:50:00 PM

he is fine, the percocet is making him crazy. I can't wait until he is better.

8/31/2006 7:19:03 PM

what kind of surgery?

8/31/2006 7:45:21 PM

That's normal.

I had emergency surgery a few years ago (Intestines ruptured in car wreck) and I had a huge scar that runs down the middle of my stomach ~10" long and was closed with staples.

It's pretty normal for the wound to weep, make sure you are keeping it clean (change bandages like your Dr. instructs you to) and dry... emphasis on the dry. Also, try not to itch the staples/wound... I know it itches like crazy, but that will irritate the wound more and it will weep more because of it.

If it starts to ooz in a cloudy, yellowish color or begins to smell foul then you should contact your doctor asap.

8/31/2006 8:57:03 PM

attn: omar, thanks for your witty comment

I had called the Dr, and he and his nurse were in surgery all day, therefore I could not get an immediate response. Thus, this thread.

To Ms. Masskki, I havent taken my percocet today, thanks.

And Smath, I had a spinal decompression done, where they remove bone from around my spinal cord to give it more room.

[Edited on August 31, 2006 at 9:06 PM. Reason : adadf]

8/31/2006 9:05:43 PM

what you are saying is oozing isn't worrisome. it is just what happens with any cut, you just have a big one now. only worry if it starts to get really red and hot or you see pus or some other colored fluid coming out. right now what is happening is some plasma is leaking out around the seal your platelets have made, which is very common. your real doc can tell you for certain, but as long as you are doing everything he said, it sounds pretty normal to me.
do you have a followup appt soon?

8/31/2006 9:22:39 PM

*thinks* I had three incisions across my abdomen and I remember them being oozy and just not pleasant for quite some time. When I could stomach looking at them I'd pull at the stitches and kinda play with them.

Err, anywho, ought to be normal, but I'd wash with one of those gentle antibacterial soaps just to be on the safe side.

8/31/2006 9:46:13 PM

my follow up appt is on the 5th

9/1/2006 9:20:29 AM

To my knowledge some clear/red stuff is perfectly normal - it happened to me and nothing was infected or wrong.
Take the above advice about keeping things clean and watching for infection (unless your dr specified about when or when not to change bandages etc), and otherwise i'd just chill till the doc called me back since you already called.

Dont stress dude, it certainly cant help at this point.

9/2/2006 12:03:23 AM

Quote :

"And Smath, I had a spinal decompression done, where they remove bone from around my spinal cord to give it more room."

so it was a nice, simple surgery

9/2/2006 7:42:23 AM

you would think simple

but during recovery, I have not had the greatest time going to the bathroom, which has been the worst part

9/2/2006 10:05:27 PM

Quote :

"f it starts to ooz in a cloudy, yellowish color or begins to smell foul then you should contact your doctor asap."

=Bad infection

Definitely change out the dressings regularly, and keep it dry from other liquids (sweat mainly) as much as possible.

9/2/2006 10:30:59 PM

You should pour some salt on your cut so it dries up quickly!

9/3/2006 1:17:58 AM