Surgery
How can I tell if I have an infection after surgery?
The short answer
Worsening pain, spreading redness or warmth, increasing swelling, cloudy or foul-smelling drainage, or an incision starting to separate raise concern for infection after surgery. Fever, chills, or new pelvic or abdominal pain that escalates can also be warning signs.
After surgery, some redness, mild swelling, bruising, and soreness around an incision can be normal, especially in the first several days. Signs that raise concern for infection include worsening pain (rather than gradual improvement), spreading redness or warmth, increasing swelling, cloudy or foul-smelling drainage, or an incision that starts to separate. Fever, chills, or suddenly feeling flu-like, as well as new pelvic or abdominal pain that escalates instead of settling, can also be important warning signs.
Because endometriosis or adenomyosis surgery can vary in complexity and may involve the bowel, bladder, or deeper pelvic spaces, we take any unexpected change in your recovery seriously, even if the skin incision looks fine. If you’re noticing the changes described above, reach out to our team so we can review your symptoms, photos if helpful, and the details of your procedure, and tell you what next steps make sense. If you’re preparing for surgery with us, we’ll also walk you through what normal recovery should look like for your specific surgical plan so you’re not left guessing.
Where to go from here
Understand it, compare it with what you're feeling, then talk it through with us.
Step 3 · Speak with Us
Worried About Infection?
Post-surgery symptoms can be confusing—our specialists understand what signs are normal and when to act. We’re here to help you identify and treat any infections promptly for your safety and comfort.
Questions people ask next
All surgery questionsWhen is pelvic pain an emergency after surgery?
Pelvic pain after surgery is urgent when it’s severe, rapidly worsening, or out of proportion to earlier recovery. It’s an emergency with fever or chills, heavy vaginal bleeding, fainting, new chest pain or shortness of breath, or increasing belly swelling or a hard, tender belly.
What pain and swelling are normal after laparoscopy or excision?
Incision soreness, period-like cramping, bloating and abdominal swelling are normal after laparoscopy or excision. Many patients also feel shoulder-tip pain from surgical gas, and discomfort and swelling are expected to improve day by day.
When is post-op bleeding after laparoscopy not normal?
Post-op bleeding after laparoscopy is not normal if you soak a pad in an hour, pass large clots, or bleeding rapidly worsens after improving. Bleeding with faintness, shortness of breath, chest pain, fever, worsening one-sided pelvic pain, or foul-smelling discharge is also a red flag.
When is pain after hysterectomy concerning?
Pain after hysterectomy is concerning when it isn’t improving or suddenly worsens after improvement. Severe or progressive pain, or pain with fever, heavy bleeding, chest pain, shortness of breath, or urinary or bowel changes, is worth prompt evaluation.
Further reading
What to Expect Before, During, and After Endometriosis Surgery
Discover what to expect before, during, and after endometriosis surgery. Insights on pain relief, preparation, recovery from reliable recent research.
Life Beyond Endometriosis Surgery: Recovery & Well-Being
Your guide to endometriosis surgery recovery: healing tips, nutrition, mental health support, recurrence prevention, and planning for long-term wellness.
