Post-Gallbladder Surgery Concerns: Potential Infection Three Weeks Later?
Subject's Age: 35 Gender: Female Height: 5 feet 4 inches Weight: 160 pounds Ethnicity: Asian Duration of Symptoms: Last Three Weeks Geographic Location: United States Relevant Medical History: Almost three weeks ago, I underwent gallbladder removal surgery. In the last few days, I have observed a small amount of cloudy discharge emerging from my incision site. Recently, I noticed what appears to be pus leaking from the area. While there is no significant pain, I do feel a mild soreness when I touch or move the site. I have not experienced any fever or chills, and there’s no unpleasant odor coming from the wound. Should I continue to clean the area with soap and water, or is it advisable to seek medical attention at the emergency room for further evaluation?
Answers (1)
2/7/2026, 4:00:38 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you've been experiencing some concerning symptoms at your incision site three weeks after surgery, including cloudy discharge and pus. While it’s encouraging that you're not experiencing significant pain, fever, or an unpleasant odor, any discharge from a surgical site still warrants attention.
Understanding Your Situation: After gallbladder removal (cholecystectomy), it's common for the incision to have some healing-related discharge as it recovers. However, cloudy discharge and pus can indicate a potential infection, even without other typical symptoms like fever. It's important to keep a close eye on the area since infections can develop post-surgery and might require treatment.
Next Steps:
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Keep the Area Clean: Continue to gently clean the incision site with soap and water. Pat it dry and avoid scrubbing, which could cause irritation.
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Monitor Symptoms: Pay close attention over the next few days for any changes, such as increased redness, swelling, or worsening pain. If the discharge worsens or you start to feel feverish, chills, or any new symptoms, that's a signal to seek further medical attention.
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Consider Seeking Medical Evaluation: Given the presence of pus and the duration since your surgery, it would be advisable to reach out to your surgeon or a healthcare provider for advice on whether an office visit or evaluation is necessary rather than going to the emergency room. They might want to assess the wound to ensure it’s healing properly and discuss potential treatment options if an infection is present.
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Avoid Self-Medicating: Steer clear of using topical antibiotics without advice from a healthcare professional. It’s important to follow directed therapies based on a proper evaluation.
Staying proactive is key! If you are ever in doubt about the severity of your symptoms, it’s better to seek professional guidance. Let me know if you have any other concerns or questions.
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