Open wound under belly

About a week after my surgery the incision beneath my belly became very inflamed and warm.  I went back into the doctor, he opened it up some so it could drain.  It is very unpleasant, it hurts and the smell is awful.  I was to let it drain for 4 days and go back in today to get the tube taken out and I thought to have it stitched up.  Well since I still have so much drainage I have to continue with the drainage for another 10 days!!  The doctor took the tubing out, but insists I have to keep the incision open so it can drain.  So he gave me these huge syringes that I have to fill full of soap and water and insert into my wound and irrigate it; twice a day.  I'm not sure how I will even see my wound in the shower, as I said it is beneath my belly.  I am really, really bummed,  about this news.  I am so afraid the wound will close up and I will have to go through all of this again.........  I am a side sleeper and this makes it impossible for me to sleep on my side, and it hurts all day long.  I know it's not the end of the world but I am disappointed.  

 

wound infection - bummer! But it is very important to let it drain. That nasty smelling stuff needs to get out. better out that in, right?

One strategy, depending on your shower, might be to sit in the shower, hold up the belly, and aim the stream of water into the wound from above down to really clean it thoroughly. That might be easier and more thorough than the syringe method. If you have a shower with a seat, or even some kind of chair that wouldn't be hurt by water than you could place in the shower, that might work. Ask Dr. K if that would be ok with him, since he's the boss.

Do the best you can with the wound, and hopefully you'll be better soon, this will be a thing of the past, and you can move forward with weight loss and improving health.

Larra

Thanks for the idea, I'll give it a try.

I feel your pain. I have an infection at one of my incision sites as well. I began to drain on its own, but my doctor cut it the rest of the way open and I have to have it packed every day. Talk about painful! I go back to see him in the morning and am hoping to get some good news about it! Sorry for your pain. I don't think I could irrigate mine, not by myself. I get a bit woozy jus****ching them take the old gauze out and pack the new one in. My doctor said protein is the best thing for healing so make sure you are getting plenty in! Good luck!

I'm sorry for you as well!!! I had my wound packed for only one day and it was awful. My wound is closing up so I have to go back in tomorrow. I pray I don't have to be packed every day, that would suck!!!!

Oh my goodness! I am so sorry you've been through all of this. The only tip I have is one I use to shave (I know, TMI). Place a mirror that swivels up and down on your toilet (if it's close to the tub) or the edge of the tub. That way you can adjust it to see what you're doing down there. But I really like the idea from Larra. Sure would be nice if you had a handheld shower head. With 10 days to go, it might be worth the investment if you can get someone to install it.

Good luck!

Yes, the mirror... exactly what I was thinking... LOL.