Open wound -venting and seemingly alone

I had my surgery (rny) this past Monday and I have the " pleasure " of an open wound but I an not seeing anyone else that has to cope with this. It is frustrating knowing that two times a day until God knows when I have to deal with someone changing my packing. This is BY FAR the worst part of my recovery

I did not have trouble with my RNY incision, but my entire tummy tuck incision turned necrotic and I had a GIANT crater in my belly that had to be cleaned and packed for 6 months (I had to do mine myself).  Penny (siberiancat) is also dealing with a hole from her recent tummy tuck and posted about it earlier today, so you are not alone.  You should be EXTRA vigilant about trying to get all your protein in since your body really needs the protein to heal the wound.

Also, be warned that, since you already apparently have compromised blood supply in your tummy, you will want to seriously weigh the risks of ever having plastic surgery on your belly (panniculectomy or tummy tuck).  A small hole is one thing (I assume you had lap RNY surgery), but a wound the size of a grapefruit (and deep enough to see the muscle fascia) is quite another. 

Hang in there.  A small wound should heal fairly quickly.

Lora

I didn't have an open wound but I did have 2 incision sites That separated and are STILL healing. I'm 6 weeks out this Monday and I still have to band aid one of them up twice a day. The other site finally closed enough last week to not need band aids and gauze anymore.

I feel your pain

Thank you. I know some day it will heal; the gauze they put in is less and less. I wish the pain was too.

It'll get better just hang in there. I swear once this other site closes up I'm gonna have a party. I am so sick of band aids and so is my tummy. I now break out from them! My surgeon's PA said she had never seen such a thing We have tried all kinds of tape and band aids and tegaderms. You name it I've tried it. At this point the itching from the adhesive bothers me more than the incision site does. My new friends are hydrocortisone cream and benedryl lol.

I look at it this way: if this is the worst complication I have from surgery then I'm a happy camper!

You're right. If this is my only issue - I will take it.

Click on my user name under my Avitar picture and you can see my open wound from death of skin at vertical and horizontal incision join.

I irrigate this wound twice a day and do "wet to dry dressings".  Many people have had to deal with this type of complication.  You are not alone.  Do some internet research and you will find others much worse off.

It is an inconvenience but life goes on.  Do the wound care your surgeon recommends and up your protein.  I upped mine from 100gm daily to 130 gm daily one month BEFORE plastic surgery and continue to get in 130 gm daily.

I will have my wound debrided again tomorrow.  I expect it will be bigger tomorrow than it is today - when surgeon does his "nipping and snipping."

This, too, shall pass.

Wow. They look so painful. Your arm looks like it is moving along well I guess your belly does to. Mine is different though, my doctor purposefully left one of the laproscopic incisions open and calls it a dirty wound...??? It is getting better but it does hurt incredibly. Every other incision I have (5) looks fantastic with the stables on. I see him on Thursday for my first post op appointment and will ask more about it then.

Another thing-the protein... Two response posts have told me to up my protein but I am on stage one like they had me on in the hospital which is fewer than 30 grams protein and fewer than 500 calories with tons of water. I am thinking if I need protein to heel I am not getting enough but I was not given a number to go by from my NUT. I will also call her tomorrow.

Thank you for sharing.

I know it is a long time away and I may not need it but if it comes to plastics I may have to pass if it means more wound care like this. I can wear spanks. The thought of anither open wound terrifies me.