recent panniculectomy surgery concerns

i had a panniculectomy on may 26, 2011 and i am concern that the incision is openning up. the pa tells me not to worry and i went into urgent care and the doctor told me not to worry. they have me on antibiotics for infections but i am very concerned that the incision continues to open more each day. the whole is also getting deeper. a week ago it was smaller than the tip of my pinky and about a quarter inch deep. now it is much larger than my pinky and about 1/2 to 5/8 of an inch deep. in addition there is a very bad smell coming from it. i smell myself all day long and so do others. i just uploaded some pictures of the incision in an album called panniculectomy. if you have any knowledge on this matter please help. i am worried that the whole thing is opening up and will cause additional complications. 

Have you talked to your surgeon? I would also be concerned.

I can't speak from experience, but I too, would be very concerned..!! Did they not tell you how to cleanse the area..??

If there is an odor, that is reason enough to be concerned...I think you need to call your surgeon and maybe see another..What is the antibiotic, and how long have you been on it..?

I would cleanse the area, with warm salty water or a saline and blow dry with a warm flow of air from the hair dryer an then cover with a sterile gauze...Repeat at least three times a day..UNTIL,
You got some kind of cleaning directions from a Dr....BE PERSISTENT with your concerns..!!

The best to you...and please, keep us all updated..!

Sending a prayer up for you..!!

cyndy

I would call the surgeon back and update them.I took a look at your pictures and I think that your incision warrents a  look see by a Dr.Some of the yellow could possibly be the wound bed sloughing off or healing itself but the greenish and black area concern me a little.
Are you running a fever??
I would clean it really well with  either sal****er or saline ( you maybe able to get this at the drug store) even hydrogen peroxide will work,
take care and I hope you get this fixed up soon.


PS yup I am a nurse.....just in case you wondered..lol..

I am not a medical professional of any variety, but if this was my incision I would be concerned enough to hound my surgeon about it.  If he tells you it is normal I would ask WHY he thinks it is normal. 

I would be very concerned, infections are too common and can get bad really fast.  An odor usually indicates infection.  Keep hounding them!

Use 1 Tablespoon salt to 8 oz of boiled water for a saline solution.

I am 3 weeks post op from fleur de lis tummy tuck and brachioplasty.

I had a 1 inch (on all 3 sides) triangular black leathery area at the intersection of the vertical and horizontal incision.  On Monday the surgeon cut that dead skin (necrotic) away - it is called debridement.

Now I have a hole that is 1inch by 1 inch and 1/2 inch deep.  It has pink edges and no smell.  The drainage is clear.

I am to stand in the shower and let the water irrigate it (I do this in am and pm).  Then I take sterile gauze (soaked and squeezed out in saline water) and pack into the "hole" and put dry gauze over it.  I still wear my abdominal binder 24/7 (I have had to wear it daily since surgery).

I am also not to lift over 5 pounds.

If the "hole" opens up any more the plastic surgeon told me to call him personally any time day or night and gave me his cell phone number.

I would be more assertive and insist that the wound needs attention.

If you are diabetic - keep your blood sugars in the normal range.  Also up your protein intake - I aim for 130 gms a day to help with healing process.  Drink plenty of fluid as you don't want to be dehydrated.

Keep us updated on your progress.  Best wishes - my thoughts are with you.

 I had an opening when  I had my ryn. It is concerning , but it just needed to be packed and kept clean. I would go to surgeon and have him ease your mind.  Mine was leaking and smelled. he had me pack it and put some thing over it to keep it clean. It did take over a month to close. Put your self at ease and call and insist on being seen.  good luck

 I had a LBL and arm lift 6 weeks ago.  As part of  arm lift, I had about a 1-2" spot open up in my arm pit area.  I took pictures and emailed to my surgeon ASAP.  Mine was a wound that had to be kept clean and packed with gauze so it could heal from the inside out - BUT, that being said, mine DID NOT look like yours.  It was healthy, red tissue inside.  It was not that yellow, pus substance like I see in yours.  Mine also did not have an odor.  I would get back in touch with your surgeon, I would probably be in his office. If he's not local maybe you can get a local doctor to look at it?