Pain and Smelly Discharge 3 Years After Several Surgeries

Shelly,
You should not have "smelly discharge" three years after surgery. The likelihood of of something "terribly wrong." is very low, since it has been three years and you are otherwise fine. However, there may be a low-grade injection or foreign body and retained suture at the base of your umbilicus which may be causing chronic irritation. You need to go see your surgeon and have a thorough examination to determine what is going on. Good Luck.
David Shafer, MD
Manhattan

Given the number of surgeries, it is likely that there are some permanent material left behind which may be causing your signs and symptoms. If mesh was used in repair of the hernia, that may also be the culprit. Consult with your general or plastic surgeon to evaluate the problem. Good luck.

Given all the surgeries in the area, I completly agree with the other surgeons comments.
Having had multiple surgeries in the area, you probably have permanent stitches layered over permanent stitches. Removal of these is usually straightforward and resolves the problem.
If your umbilical hernia was repaired with mesh, This could also be infected which may be slightly more complex.
You may want to try a short course of antibitics and antifungal agents. I tend to use bactroban followed by lotrimin. Neosporin or triple antibitocs are generally useless.
Topical cleansings with half strength hydrogen peroxide can be useful if performed twice a day.
If this lasts more than 3 weeks than it is not likely to improve without further evaluation.
Seek a surgeon who may advise a CT scan but don't proceed to surgery without consulting your other surgeons who may have recommendations or advice.

Drainage 3 years after surgery is abnormal. Smelly drainage is more worrisome implying bacterial involvement.  You really should go back and see the last (laparoscopic) surgeon. The most likely cause would be exposed suture or permanent material used in hernia repair.

Having the symptoms you describe so far out from your surgery is concerning. I agree with the other recommendations. It is a wound-healing issue that is likely related to a foreign body such as a non-absorbable suture. I would contact your surgeon - either the one who did the laparoscopy or your plastic surgeon for an evaluation to get treated as soon as possible.

This could be a sign of wound healing problem, such as a chronic infection.  It is not normal for the drainage and odor.  You shoud have this evaluated and treated.

Pain and smelly discharge may be related to non-absorbable sutures that have worked their way into the site of the umbilicus entry site for the laproscope. I have seen this a few times in the past. I woulds suggest that you go see your surgeon to check this out. That person may want to get a CT to evaluate other potential sources of the problem. Good luck.

Hello,
You likely have an infection of one of the sutures used to close your tummy either during the tummy tuck or the more recent operation. This needs to be evaulated and that suture removed to fix the problem. See your surgeon ASAP.
 
Best Regards,
John Di Saia MD
 

Shelly,
I can't believe that you are walking around with a malodorous discharge from your belly button for THREE years. This fact makes it likely that the problem is relatively contained and localized to your umbilical area, otherwise you would be very sick. The most likely cause is a non absorbable suture (stitch), left in from the hernia repair or LAPAROSCOPIC surgery or mesh material, which is sometimes placed to repair an umbilical hernia. See your hernia surgeon if he/she is still practicing. If not, try to obtain a copy of your operative record from the hospital or facility at which you had the hernia surgery and see another hernia surgeon or board certified plastic surgeon. Good luck!

Pain and a foul smelling discharge are not normal. There are multiple possible reasons for this, and your surgeon can help to make that diagnosis. It could be any number of things, but you'll need a proper evaluation and workup.