I was hospitalized for what they thought was an abscess. After a ct scan the dr said it is cellutitus and fluid accumulation. However i am going to go to another doctor tomorrow because he said there is some type of skin infection from my incision spreading to the bottom of my breasts. It is hot to touch, feels like pins and needles and any slight touch opens or cuts the skin or bruises it. I was instructed to no longer use surgical tape because it was ripping my skin off.
Answer: You have cellulitis and (probably infected) seroma. This much is easy to say from your photographs and CT scan results. Antibiotics are certainly appropriate, but they should be culture-directed. Aspiration of the seroma (at least), or placement of a drain (better, as it can both continuously-remove bacterially-contaminated or infected seroma, but can also be used to instill antibiotic or antiseptic solution to help eradicate any bacterial presence) should be considered by your surgeon. The fluid should be sent to the lab for culture and antibiotic sensitivities if not already done. A good broad-spectrum antibiotic should already be in use, and changed as culture/sensitivity results are obtained.Your surgeon should be in charge of this process, which can be resolved without significant adverse effect to your results, but only if this is actively treated, not passively allowed to linger while everyone waits and hopes it will get better on its own.You and your surgeon should be in active (daily while in hospital) contact as this process continues. It should NOT be allowed to go for days without active follow-up (and additional intervention as described above--the fluid needs to be removed, now). Talk to your surgeon ASAP. Best wishes and good luck! Dr. Tholen
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Answer: You have cellulitis and (probably infected) seroma. This much is easy to say from your photographs and CT scan results. Antibiotics are certainly appropriate, but they should be culture-directed. Aspiration of the seroma (at least), or placement of a drain (better, as it can both continuously-remove bacterially-contaminated or infected seroma, but can also be used to instill antibiotic or antiseptic solution to help eradicate any bacterial presence) should be considered by your surgeon. The fluid should be sent to the lab for culture and antibiotic sensitivities if not already done. A good broad-spectrum antibiotic should already be in use, and changed as culture/sensitivity results are obtained.Your surgeon should be in charge of this process, which can be resolved without significant adverse effect to your results, but only if this is actively treated, not passively allowed to linger while everyone waits and hopes it will get better on its own.You and your surgeon should be in active (daily while in hospital) contact as this process continues. It should NOT be allowed to go for days without active follow-up (and additional intervention as described above--the fluid needs to be removed, now). Talk to your surgeon ASAP. Best wishes and good luck! Dr. Tholen
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September 6, 2015
Answer: Cellulitis After Mommy Make Over Thank you for your picture. I am sorry for your issues. You can have cellulitis for various reasons but the most notable issues I see on your picture are your belly button and your incision. Some area of your incision and your belly button look like they are not getting enough circulation which can cause necrotic and or infected skin that appears as cellulitis. Please see your surgeon ASAP.
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September 6, 2015
Answer: Cellulitis After Mommy Make Over Thank you for your picture. I am sorry for your issues. You can have cellulitis for various reasons but the most notable issues I see on your picture are your belly button and your incision. Some area of your incision and your belly button look like they are not getting enough circulation which can cause necrotic and or infected skin that appears as cellulitis. Please see your surgeon ASAP.
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September 6, 2015
Answer: What type of skin infection is this? Hi, Jenna C. Sorry to hear that you are having an infection. I cannot make a diagnosis and treatment plan from photos. However, from your photos, you have cellulities (infection of the skin). Since your plastic surgeon has examined you and had CT and did not get the fluid collection drained out, I am assuming that you had seroma (fluid collection) not an abscess. Most likely your plastic surgeon referred you to an infectious disease doctor who can help with antibiotic management. Please continue following up with your surgeon closely. Good luck with your healing.
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September 6, 2015
Answer: What type of skin infection is this? Hi, Jenna C. Sorry to hear that you are having an infection. I cannot make a diagnosis and treatment plan from photos. However, from your photos, you have cellulities (infection of the skin). Since your plastic surgeon has examined you and had CT and did not get the fluid collection drained out, I am assuming that you had seroma (fluid collection) not an abscess. Most likely your plastic surgeon referred you to an infectious disease doctor who can help with antibiotic management. Please continue following up with your surgeon closely. Good luck with your healing.
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September 5, 2015
Answer: What type of skin infection is this? I'm sorry to hear about your problem. There are many types of post operative infections which can affect the skin and/or deeper tissues. If the infection is minor it can be treated with oral antibiotics on an outpatient basis, if it ore severe it could require hospitalization, intravenous antibiotic or even surgical removal (debridement) of the infected tissues. Occasionally, patient can develop an allergic reaction to the tape or dressing that they are using (contact dermatitis) and this can result in an infection (cellulitis). From your photo alone, it is not possible to determine how sever your infection is. If your are developing any signs of increasing infection - increasing pain, swelling, redness, drainage, or fever, let your surgeon know immediately. These could be signs of a more serious type of infection. Best wishes, Dr. Lepore.
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September 5, 2015
Answer: What type of skin infection is this? I'm sorry to hear about your problem. There are many types of post operative infections which can affect the skin and/or deeper tissues. If the infection is minor it can be treated with oral antibiotics on an outpatient basis, if it ore severe it could require hospitalization, intravenous antibiotic or even surgical removal (debridement) of the infected tissues. Occasionally, patient can develop an allergic reaction to the tape or dressing that they are using (contact dermatitis) and this can result in an infection (cellulitis). From your photo alone, it is not possible to determine how sever your infection is. If your are developing any signs of increasing infection - increasing pain, swelling, redness, drainage, or fever, let your surgeon know immediately. These could be signs of a more serious type of infection. Best wishes, Dr. Lepore.
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