i have had a transaxillary first rib removal 10 days ago. i have
noticed that i am getting very bad body odour from the wound even
after showering. i have never had b.o before. will this go as the
wound heals or have surgeons messed up my sweat glands?

Well, the axilla (armpits) and the pubic region have ceruminous
glands, which secrete a waxy-like substance that bacteria easily grow
on, which is why those areas are prone to b.o. It is likely that since
you cannot wash the wound area easily, there are bacteria growing
there that cause the stench. It should go away once the wound heals
and you can more easily wash in that area.

Hopefully not the same problem, but several years ago I had a broken
arm (compound) that got infected.  Everything seemed fine initially,
but I noticed that my arm smelled worse and worse each day.  I ended
up with a second surgery and 8 weeks of IV's.  I would be back to your
doctor if you think infection is even a possibility.  Good luck!

I meant apocrine glands, not ceruminous, sorry. And I agree, if the
wound is infected, get it looked at, but if it's just smelly, that's
probably ok.