infection after laparoscopy

OK all. I have a question. I posted this on the endo board, but that one does not seem to be very active. Please help!

How many of you had an infection after laparoscopic surgery? I have had a few surgeries, but never had this complication. My belly button wound got infected. I identified it and went in very quickly. The doctor on call took a culture and put me on Keflex. I went in for a follow-up with my regular doctor (who performed the surgery). The test results were only partially in and showed that it was Staph, resistant to penicillin, but not some other antibiotics. It's not MRSA. She told me the bacteria was susceptible to the Keflex and to Cipro, for which she wrote me a scrip to take when the 7 days of Keflex was gone. She said this would take a while to go away. So now, while the infection does not look to be getting worse, it is getting better very slowly (yes, she warned me). But I am google-happy and everything I read says this stuff is awful and contagious. So, I am cleaning everything like mad, doing tons of laundry, wearing gloves to touch stuff and spraying disinfectant on everything. I feel fine and have no fever or anything. The wound is draining slightly, but not much, just ugly and ***** (sorry for the graphic).

My question is--how many of you had an infection like this after surgery? If so, was your doctor more concerned than mine seems to be? Did you have to have the wound opened and cleaned out? How do you know when the infection is gone? How long did yours take to go away?? aaaargh.......

Thanks,
Jennyrose

[MarieMichele]

Nobody has responded, so that tells me this is one of the less-common complications of laparoscopic surgery.  It is hard to say how long it will take to clear the infection.  Much depends on which antibiotic will work most effectively for you.  Some infections take days to cure while others can take weeks.  I hope you are cured of this problem soon!

[Jennyrose]

Thanks. I was thinking the same thing. I have seen a few postings from women who said their belly button got infected, but they weren't specific as to staph or anything. I was worried because staph can get ugly. I had a follow-up this week and it was much improved. This next week of meds should clear it up. I still feel sooo much better than I did with the cyst there that this is a piece of cake! Thanks again.

Jennyrose

[happyaslarry]

I have had an infected belly button post lap for 3 months now- Strep not Staph- but similar in that it is resistant to antibiotics. In fact in my case it is resistant to all antibiotics except amoxycillin (which I am allergic to and can't take). So my doctors response is that there is nothing that they can do. Great!!

I sympathize greatly...my mood is low...and seemingly nothing can be done to clear this infection.

I hope you have more luck!

[Jennyrose]

Oh my goodness! I am so sorry about that. I am not sure how strep compares to staph on the persistance scale. I hope that it clears up soon. It's strange that will all the available antiobiotics, that it is only susceptible to amoxicillin. I know that many people have sensitivities to antibiotics. I so rarely have had to take them thankfully, but I haven't had side effects when I do have to.

It's funny. I read all these horror stories of people with infections (not necessarily on this site) and I really only had a sticky belly button, although I know the infection was also in a pocket under my skin that the doc could feel. Never ran a fever or felt bad. I did catch it early. I just finished my 27th day of antibiotics and don't need to go back in unless I see any signs of it coming back. I will be very vigilant over the next few weeks!

Take care,
Jennyrose

[happyaslarry]

Thanks Jennyrose! Yes I have a similar thing- just looks like a sticky belly button but is a nasty infection none-the-less! No fever or anything either...it is strange isn't it. I think my only option now is to have it cauterized...ouch! But if it clears it up I will be so grateful.

Happy healing!

happyaslarry

[hannahspanner]

Hiya, I had this surgery on friday for The second time and today it has started weeping and looks for sure to be infected! A very sticky belly button! This has happened twice now, I also have blood clots! So don't feel ur alone as this has happend twice now, I'm just off to the docs hoping to get some anti biotics!
Good luck xx

[Elle94]

Hi,
I also had a laproscopy four days ago.
Two days after the surgery my gauze was mouldy looking in appearance and smelt foul. I went to the doctors but on examination the nurse said she was hesitant to change and clean my dressings because of risk of damaging the stitches.
Failing to improve, I went to another doctor yesterday and she took one look at it and changed everything immediately. She too placed me on Keflex, instructing me to clean the wounds and change the gauzes daily.
I am experiencing an almost hardening sensation in my belly button which makes it uncomforable to move, redness, and itching. The smell has disappeared. I am hoping this just clears up with the antibiotics.
Does anyone have any insight or suggestions for me? I absolutely hate belly buttons so this surgery has made me extremely squimish.

[Debtrap]

Elle 94,
      No I havn't but I'm going for a lap in two weeks and I keep on reading recovery stories about pain and infection like yours....Despite the infection how are you feeling? Belly buttons make me squirmish too! I'm sure the antibiotics should clear it up, did u get a fever from it?
Deb

[dacro]

Reading your post brings me a little comfort as mine seems to be cronic (chronic).  I had a hysterectomy in 1992 and its been infected off and on. i would go to the doctor and they said it had to do with hte surgery and would give me some cream but they didn'tknow what it was.  Finaly about five years ago, a FNP told me to use what is used for jock itch.  That cleared it up and I had no problem until recently.  Hwever I've been on Antiboiotices for the last two months due to an ear infection and thinking that since I hadn't been on Antibiotices for five years but was prior that there may be a connection.  

[Jessiica_Bunniie]

Hi
I had a laproscopy nearly 2 years ago, ive had a similar infection on and off.
Excuse my graphics but its oozing green puss, red, sore, quite smelly and down right gross.
I am a very hygienic person and always making sure im clean yet no antibiotics have helped and the more I take the worse it gets.
It has gotten to the point I cant sleep because I feel sick from looking at it or anything and because of the pain.
Im not sure what's going on but I was told I should organise to go in and have surgery to clean it out and find the cause.

Would be great to receive some insight, Whats your opinions?
Quite worried a out it as its been nearly 2 years...