My naval is still leaking after I had hernia surgery over a year ago. It is just fluid sometimes and blood other times.

Question

My doctor says it could be very complicated to fix . She says to leave it alone. Seem like it could be fixed. Also my muscles in abdomen are very weak and I wear a binder a lot.

S. Larry Schlesinger, MD, FACS · Answer

Since you didn't report any redness or pus being present, this sounds more like a chronic, low grade infection that needs to be cleaned up.  This also sounds like a general surgery question, but certainly plastic surgeons deal with this type of problem because of all the tummy tucks we do.If you were my patient, I would take you back to surgery and open the area, clean out the chronic infection, put in a drain, and put you on appropriate antibiotics. It is possible that the binder that you are wearing either created the problem or exacerbated an existing problem with a stitch abscess or infected mesh.  At this point, if your primary surgeon is unwilling to deal with the problem, you need to seek a second opinion from either a plastic or general surgeon who is experienced in this area.

Jerome Edelstein, MD · Answer

Hello,I'm sorry to hear this. Drainage at this point does indicate a chronic problem which requires correction and you should not feel the need to wear a binder one year out either.I recommend that you get a second opinion, have another Doctor examine you and order imaging/lab tests to determine what is going on. You may need a general surgeon to investigate and correct.All the best

Young R. Cho, MD, PhD · Answer

Thank you for your question and I'm sorry to hear that you are having problems this far out.  Chances are that you have a infected suture or mesh from the hernia repair.  I would recommend visiting with more than one plastic surgeon and also asking your primary care physician to order some imaging studies like a CT scan to further help diagnose the problem.

Adolfo Sesto, MD · Answer

Hi, to my understanding if they used some kind of net or material to repair the hernia you might have a "Granuloma" (foreign matter), that needs to be surgically explore and remove.You should not be using a binder after a year of the surgery, in my experience this can and must be fix.

Ravinder Jarial, DO · Answer

Greetings. Your concern is justifiable.  Continue to follow up with your surgeon.  If you feel the concern is not being addressed, you can always go for another opinion. Best wishes.

Sugene Kim, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi, trudyj.  Sorry that you are experiencing leakage one year after surgery.  It is not normal to have leakage one year after surgery.  You may have suture abscess or fluid collection.  If your plastic surgeon cannot address your problem, please get a second opinion.  Good luck.

My naval is still leaking after I had hernia surgery over a year ago. It is just fluid sometimes and blood other times.

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