recovery time and infection

dear dr
I had laparascopic surgery for an ovarian cyst on apr 22. after one week, one incision site is hard and sore and very red. my doctor put me on antibiotics which do not appearr to work. How common is infections at the surgical site? even if surgery was laprascopic is there a chance some spoge or something was left inside me?
judyk221

[Keith Downing, MD]

Hello,

Surgical site infections are common.  If antibiotics have not worked you should go back to see your surgeon.  A surgical site infection does not suggest a sponge or instrument was left behind.  That would result in very different symptoms and would almost impossible after laparoscopy.

Talk to your surgeon.

Best,

Dr. Downing

[scootchie]

A related discussion, How long is 'recovery time'? was started.