Wound VAC

You know, I think that nutrition also affects healing.  When I had lung surgery and the incision didn't heal right, I strongly suspect the fact that I had been getting almost no protein for a few weeks and was also vitamin D deficient had an impact on it.  When I had to have my gall bladder surgery removed, I made sure to get lots and lots of protein the week before surgery as well as right after surgery and I also had a decent vitamin D level.  I'm sure that was not the only factor in my problem after lung surgery but I think it was part of it.

Yes, I'm sure overall nutrition factors in (protein AND vitamins).  I'm sure that, in my case, having had 4 surgeries in 2 years had just taken a toll on my body... too much healing going on with limited calories and what was enough protein for normal body functioning 80-90g per day by 6 months out, but probably NOT -- in retrospect -- enough extra protein to support healing from multiple surgeries.

Lora

I had a wound vac for about 3 weeks after my hysterectomy incision reopened. It was wonderful! Totally worth it. I was able to shower while I wore it. You can clamp the tubing for short amounts of time and disconnect the unit. Home health nurse came out to change dressings and foam a couple times a week. The unit is totally portable. Mine was about the size of smal diaper bag. My insurance paid for it 100%, but I know it was VERY expensive.

 I had a wound vac for about 8 months.  My bowels burst and after they opened me up I was left with a foot long vertical incision by a four inch wide and very deep wound.  The visiting nurse came twice a week..  The only thing I really hated was the sucking sound it made and when it would beep when there was a problem.  Kept the wound clean and it did heal nicely.
Hope yours goes weill.

Since your was also a large, deep wound (considerably larger than mine), I'm curious about whether the scarring over that area looks like burn scars.  (The only people I have known IRL who had wound vacs had much smaller wounds so comparing mine w/out the wound vac to theirs with it is not a good comparison.) 

Part of mine just looks like a much wider normal incision scar (some of the scarred skin was cut out when I had exploratory surgery in August), but the whole upper part of the wound area (all the way across under both breasts and down around the midline for several inches) looks like I was burned.

Lora 

after my perforated colon I had the long 12 inch by 4 or 5 in*****ision in my abdomen right next to the illiostomy.  They put the wound vac in the large open incision that they said had to heal from the inside out and wasnt' healing.  THis was all done while in the hospital with a huge machine.  It was very painful especially when they changed the pads, maybe because the area was so large.  I had to get morphine shots prior to changing it and they still didnt help much.  It took a long time but it healed pretty well considering - it is pretty ugly - zigzag line - had to reopen 2 inch section that got infected after reversal of illiostomy to be repacked and that was even more painful but scar is a thick line - doesnt' look like a burn at all.

 Actually, because of the large wound, I had a hernia.  The doctor inserted mesh and at the same time removed the excess skin.  Now I have a faint scare up the middle (no belly button) and expanding to the sides (anchor tummy tuck).  I won't ever wear a bikini not only due to the scar but my age, I am not too worried about it.    Sorry I can't add encouraging words for you.  Mine is about two years out and has faded a lot.

 Yes I have 4 months experience with a wound vac.  I had a panniculectomy and my incision opened all the way - leaving a gigantic gaping wound.  The surgeon ordered a wound vac and it took four months for the incision to completely close.  It was a godsend though as the nurse told me that without the vac it would have taken more than a year to close.  If you would like any further information please feel free to ask!