Is coughing up a red phlegm mucus wad normal after a breathing tube & surgery?

July 19, 2014
Asked By:Time2feelGr8 in The Woodlands, TX

I am 4 days post op, and today I coughed up red phlegm or mucus. The past 3 days I have coughed up one, brown to green phlegm per day and figured it was from the breathing tube during general anesthesia. Now I'm sort of freaked out because it was red. Is that normal? I feel fine otherwise. I left a message with my PS but haven't heard back yet. Help please!

Answers (4)

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July 24, 2014

Answer: Is coughing up a red phlegm mucus wad normal after a breathing tube & surgery?

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Tom J. Pousti, MDBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon
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July 24, 2014

Answer: Is coughing up a red phlegm mucus wad normal after a breathing tube & surgery?

2 people found this helpful
Tom J. Pousti, MDBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon
MOST RECENT
November 20, 2018

Answer: Coughing after surgery

Camille Cash, MDBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon
MOST RECENT
November 20, 2018

Answer: Coughing after surgery

Camille Cash, MDBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon
July 22, 2014

Answer: Productive cough after in abdominoplastyIs not uncommon.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MDBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon
July 22, 2014

Answer: Productive cough after in abdominoplastyIs not uncommon.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MDBoard Certified Plastic Surgeon

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