skin necrosis after TT

Just feeling very blue and teary...

I have a whole section of skin under (and along) one side of the "T" from my reverse tummy tuck 3 weeks ago that is necrotic (has died).  It is nothing that the surgeon did wrong, it's just a problem the circulation to that skin being cut off (somewhat common for anchor/fleur de lis incisions apparently).  The worst part is that it smells terrible and the scarring will probably be pretty nasty. .. and I'm supposed to go back to work on the 26th (and MUST be back by the first week in March) but just feel SO tired and generally icky...

Ok, done venting.  Now for fresh bandages and a nap...

Lora

I'm sending you good vibes Lora!!!!!

I hope everything works out for you. 

OMG Lora! As if you haven't gone through enough!

That has to be very scary. Aren't they going to have to open it back up to remove the dead tissue?

I see the PS again tomorrow.  From what I have been told, yes, he will need to cut the dead skin out and let the resulting open holes heal up...  yuck.

Lora

Oh Lora
I hope you get to feeling better you have been through so much to get to this place You deserve it to be an easy ride! Is this a common thing to happen or will it be a tougher recovery for you since he has to go in and do more work? I will keep you in my prayers..God will heal your body 100%

He went in this morning and cut out all of the necrotic skin, fat, and tissue, and packed the large holes with gauze.  I will need to keep them packed and dry for up to a week and then after that will be soaking the gauze in saline before packing (and covering with a dry bandage****il it heals up.

This is relatively common for WLS patients, apparently, especially if they have a "T" shaped plastic surgery incision.  Our skin is not in very good condition to begin with (too stretched out), our blood supply to the skin can be compromised even before surgery, and our nutrition is not optimal for surgical recovery.  He does not expect to need to do anythgin else surgically... we just have to wait for it to heal (and I need to try harder to get more protein in).  Hopfeully I will be able to eat more now that the smelly dead tissue has been removed.  I hope it will be healed enough to get in the pool in mid-March whne we go to FLorida, but he has already warned me that it probably will not be (and that getting it wet in the gulf waters is out of the question.  Guess I'll just be wading...

I appreciate the prayers!

Lora

Sending positive vibes your way!!!  Not sure if its applicable to your situations, but has the surgeon suggested a wound vac?  It may help the wound heal faster.  Hope all goes well.

Caroline

Apparently you cannot put a wound vac on it immediately, but, yes, it sounds like I will end up with one eventually (although placement of it is apparently a concern because everything runs up rigth against the base of my breasts).  Still waiting to hear if insurance will cover the vac and the charges for placing and changing it...

Lora

Sending healing vibes your way! Sorry you're having problems.

~Pam~

Thanks, Pam.  I can use any and all positive vibes/energy/prayers...

Lora