Hard Bump on Left of Incision

Question

I was just patting my incision dry after washing my face and noticed that at the very left of my incision there is a hard(ish) bump.  It's a bit sore, maybe tender is a better word.

Any ideas on what this could be???

dscoochie · Answer

11 days post op and I thought I'd provide an update for the archives (in case someone searches for this information).

The incision now looks like a red 6cm slit on my neck, and its kinda pink on either sides.  The swelling has decreased, but there is still a *bit* of swelling surrounding the incision.

The area is *slightly* raised under the incision (internal stitches, I assume), but there are no more hard bumps.  I suppose it is healing.

worriedinmd · Answer

I have the lumps on either side, so I was thinking the same as Cheryl - stitches. I didn't have steri-strips, so I know they aren't to blame. 

I just started with some Vit E/cocoa butter cream from Palmers. Can't really say how well it's working yet. Just used it for the first time last night. My doc told me to wait two weeks before applying anything other than the peroxide.

- viv

KelDC · Answer

I have not touched the strips since I pulled that corner up on Saturday.  I am fine with them staying right where they are!  Thankfully, they do not itch.  

HAA!!!  You can keep that, thanks  - I have enough of that myself, just not on my neck!!!!!!  

=)

redheadaussie · Answer

It will be numb after the strips are off...it will feel quite odd at first....and I am sure you will  go through all the grieving of "OH my poor neck!" many of us did and do. Tempting as it is LEAVE the bloody strips alone! Mine itched like mad and drove me insane...but I tolerated it. If you would like any lumps I can quite happily donate some of my cellulite to you ! 
Cheers!

KelDC · Answer

I'm feeling a bit left out here - I have no lump on either side of my incision. I just touched it to be sure, and now the darn thing hurts!   =)  It also doesn't seem to be numb at all, though it is swollen - it pops out so much at times it's almost like having my thryoid back.  
I have 2 layers of steri strips that are showing no signs of wanting to come off, either. I pulled up a corner on one side to check (patience is a virtue, I know), and that piece came loose. I cut it off last night, so I'm down to one layer of steri strip on the left side. I am NOT anxious to see the incision at all.  
Oh well - I guess every person and surgery is unique!

redheadaussie · Answer

Well, I don't know if I am allowed to advertise, but I used Grace Cosmetics Vital skin oil. It was fantastic on my son's excema and when I had adult acne....(I actually sell it too!) 
Great to know of another redhead! And Canadian too! Hee hee

dscoochie · Answer

What kind of oil did you use?  

And yes, that was very helpful!  Thank you, RedheadAussie!

RedheadCanadian :)

redheadaussie · Answer

Hi My first surgery was May 07 to remove left thyroid. Had strips on....bit swollen but after the strips were removed I used oil on the scar (which was full size as they had to check right side whilst I was under!) Dec 07 had right side done...same scar opened up! This time the thinking is that the strips are not needed in the healing process. (Yay! said me I hated those things!) I had a lump on the left side...after two weeks was quite tender and red....turned out one of the internal stitches was a tad long. My surgeon was all apologetic and trimmed it back! (The swelling had disguised its length)
Right side got a lump and got a lovely pimply infection in it. Took anti-biotics and it went down. 4 months later it comes and goes, not as bad as previously.
  I think you will find that the skin is really not quite in place as it should be....just one of those things with surgery. I have had surgery on other parts of my body and I get the same kind of thing. 
   My scar was totally numb for about 3 months (both times) It's only lately that I realised I am wearing t-shirts again without ripping them off! Time is the major factor in all healing....ask anyone whose had open heart surgery how soon they could lift anything over a pound in weight! 
  Hope that helps!

dscoochie · Answer

Yes,  my incision is numb, too.  All around it.  I think that is completely normal (maybe because of temporarily severed nerves?).  

You may be so tired because, like you suggested now that I reread it, your right side hasnt picked up the slack.  When do you go for blood work, Mucka?

There is NO WAY I could remove my strips - that would be painful I imagine.  Besides, they are on there like glue!  How am I supposed to return to work in a week looking like Frankenstein's wife???

Mucka · Answer

Is your incision site numb?  Mine was and is completely since the day of surgery (on the outside of my neck; of course, the inside still feels like something is pulling).........I took the steristrips off two days later and changed them.  I couldn't even feel them coming off!  I made sure I did it after my shower.

On the other hand.....I am so tired I could cry.  I feel like I am in a fog...... I guess my right side doesn't have the "get up and go" like it should!!

dscoochie · Answer

CatieC,
do you mean going down to the extent that you CANT see it?

CatieC · Answer

From my experience, it is a game of patience. Unless someone has another idea for the swelling. I'm 19 days post-op and for the past couple of days my swelling has been going down to the extent that I can see it. I have to say it is a slow process though, so patience is definitely your best friend right now.

dscoochie · Answer

7 days post op, and its strange, my neck (on the left side) feels as if I pulled muscle.  Especially where that "lump" is.  

And these steri strips show NO signs of wanting to come off.  It'll be a week tomorrow, and they are glued on good!

Ice doesnt really help the swelling, but it sure feels good (but then gets too cold, and starts to hurt too).  

Any other suggestions for the swelling, or is this a game of patience?

Thanks again, everyone.

krys48 · Answer

I had a very similar case. I think it is getting better. I am 2 months after surgery and I still have a big lump right in front my throat. It is not the scarr itself that bothers me but the bib lump bihind it. When I rise my neck it is very visible. I hope that it is just a swelling and it will go away.

shannon828 · Answer

My incision has a bump on the left side as well.  It's been swollen since he closed me up.  The nurses in recovery didn't seem too concerned with it, just normal swelling that will go down over time.  My whole incision is very swollen today :(  Day 3 kinda sucks :(  Oh well, I had a feeling it would since all my recent TT sisters said the first week was a bit tough.  I'll bet a week out I will feel completely different than I do today.  I have had some calcium tingles, but taking Tums seem to help.  No cramping or locking up of muscles.  Not feeling much different other than tired and weak, but I know that's probably detox from the anesthesia.  I am officially off the pain pills as of today...I really don't feel like they do much but make me feel loaded and I'm not sure that's terribly helpful.  Other than that, just trying to remember my body has been through a major ordeal here and that healing takes time.  Hope everyone is feeling good!

kipland · Answer

I tend to agree with the others, that it's probably a stitch.  I had a hard bump too - it almost looked like a pimple right on the incision.  It's gone now, so I'm almost certain that's what it was.

CatieC · Answer

You are not alone - I too have a little bump on the very right of my incision. I thought it was scar tissue forming, I have been putting Vitamin E on and rubbing gently.  Although ChitChat has a good point, it could also be from the dissolving stitches underneath. I didn't think of that. Either way, it's nothing serious.

ChitChatNine · Answer

It is the stitch bundle ... it takes quite awhile to go down as these are disolving stitches underneath the surface .. we may not have many on the outside but we do on the inside!

skeeter42 · Answer

Hey D., I don't know what it could be but I hade a little hard spot on the right side of mine but it is finally starting to go away.  I put cream and rub it every day and night and it seems like it is working its way out.  Maybe just tissue build up or something.  But I do remember that when I got so sick after the surgery that there was more bleeding on the side than the other so I don't know if it pulled away a little bit from being so violently sick or what but just keep rubbing it and it should go down.

Sorry I couldn't have been more help.  

How are you feeling otherwise?  Any bad problems???

Brenda