Incision necrosis
The day after my fleur de lis tummy tuck the surgeon told me I had some circulation problems where my vertical and horizontal incisions intersected, in pubic area.
At my three week post op visit yesterday - the area was triangular - 1 inch each side - black, leathery, like a scab.
First he aspirated fluid from my R arm (I had brachioplasty at the same time as TT) and then pulled 40cc fluid from my belly - which he said wasn't bad.
He asked me to lay down and proceded to debride (remove) the necrotic tissue described above - which left me with a 1 inch by 1 inch - 1/2 inch deep HOLE in my incision line. It was "stuffed" with damp saline gauze and a dry dressing on top.
I'm instructed to shower 2 times a day - letting the water gently wash out the area and then pack with wet saline gauze and top with a dry dressing. This will have to heal from the inside out. I still need to wear my abdominal binder, not lift over 5 pounds and take it easy (but I can drive now.)
The edges of the "crater hole" are nice and pink, no foul smell, no fever, etc - no sign of infection.
Any advice from those that have "been there - done that!"
Thanks so much.
At my three week post op visit yesterday - the area was triangular - 1 inch each side - black, leathery, like a scab.
First he aspirated fluid from my R arm (I had brachioplasty at the same time as TT) and then pulled 40cc fluid from my belly - which he said wasn't bad.
He asked me to lay down and proceded to debride (remove) the necrotic tissue described above - which left me with a 1 inch by 1 inch - 1/2 inch deep HOLE in my incision line. It was "stuffed" with damp saline gauze and a dry dressing on top.
I'm instructed to shower 2 times a day - letting the water gently wash out the area and then pack with wet saline gauze and top with a dry dressing. This will have to heal from the inside out. I still need to wear my abdominal binder, not lift over 5 pounds and take it easy (but I can drive now.)
The edges of the "crater hole" are nice and pink, no foul smell, no fever, etc - no sign of infection.
Any advice from those that have "been there - done that!"
Thanks so much.
Penny Highest Weight 255 * Wt loss includes 19 lb lost before surgery
Darnit!! Sorry this happened to you.
It is a fear of mine as that area where everything 'intersects" is notorious for that.
I have been warned about it.
I have been an RN for 23 years...most of it spent in the surgical ICU but now spent reviewing patient records for surgical outcomes and I see this...for different kinds of surgeries.
Now it just needs to heal. Keep it clean. Watch for signs of infection...and wait.
It can take a while.
I'm sure someone here has experienced it and will post.
Take care!!
It is a fear of mine as that area where everything 'intersects" is notorious for that.
I have been warned about it.
I have been an RN for 23 years...most of it spent in the surgical ICU but now spent reviewing patient records for surgical outcomes and I see this...for different kinds of surgeries.
Now it just needs to heal. Keep it clean. Watch for signs of infection...and wait.
It can take a while.
I'm sure someone here has experienced it and will post.
Take care!!
"And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom. " -- Anais Nin
Revised from Band to Bypass 10/26/09
High Wt 355/ Surgery Wt 343 (BMI 61) / Current Wt 190 on 3/17/12
TT/Fleur De Lis 8/22/11
Mastopexy and Brachioplasty 12/14/11
Revised from Band to Bypass 10/26/09
High Wt 355/ Surgery Wt 343 (BMI 61) / Current Wt 190 on 3/17/12
TT/Fleur De Lis 8/22/11
Mastopexy and Brachioplasty 12/14/11
Bless your heart..I hate to hear this...but I'm happy that things are not any worse..Sounds like it's just gonna take some extra care and a little longer to heal completely...Thank goodness you don't have an infection and I surely hope and pray you will stay infection free...!
Take care, SweetPea...
cyndy
No advice for you, sweetie, except do what docs suggested.
Hope you don't have pain.Sorry this happened but we are told of possible "complications" and this sounds like it was caught "early".
I hope to post late tomorrow night or Friday morn after my preop. Want to make sure i really will be in for my op next week.
Mikimi in Israel
Hope you don't have pain.Sorry this happened but we are told of possible "complications" and this sounds like it was caught "early".
I hope to post late tomorrow night or Friday morn after my preop. Want to make sure i really will be in for my op next week.
Mikimi in Israel
It's just a "downer." I have a great surgeon and I've been doing everything right. This tummy tuck & arm lift has been a difficult recovery. I'm tired of being tired, needing help, no energy, aching and now having to tend this wound problem. (on a more positive note - I've knitted 3 shawls and working on my fourth!)
Guess - I just needed to vent. I know so many others have had much worse, so I shouldn't complain.
Hope all goes well for you Mikimi - keep us posted.
Guess - I just needed to vent. I know so many others have had much worse, so I shouldn't complain.
Hope all goes well for you Mikimi - keep us posted.
Penny Highest Weight 255 * Wt loss includes 19 lb lost before surgery
(deactivated member)
on 6/15/11 12:47 am
on 6/15/11 12:47 am
Penny - when I went for my pre-op on Monday the nurse specifically spoke to me about post-surgery depression. She said no matter what you have done - breasts, arms, TT, LBL, etc. it is very common to have a bout of depression around week 2-3. She said it is very very normal and not to be surprised if it happens. I think what you said "tired of being tired, needing help, no energy, etc." is exactly what she was talking about. But she said that right after the it seems that patients turn the corner and it gets better and better. Don't feel bad about venting - it is all part of the process!
Hugs,
Gracie150
Hugs,
Gracie150
Gosh..hang in there. I am 8 weeks out, and truly, last week and this week is the first time I ALMOST felt normal. At three weeks I felt like you did, and was beginning to wonder if I would ever feel okay again, and if I would ever have any energy again. You will...Also, at three weeks I began to feel depressed, probably partly because of the tiredness...and the meds....so...take a deep breath...and be patient. I promise it will get better in the next week or two..
I had a mild bit of the wound issue you are experiencing. I did not need to stuff with gauze...but it did take longer to heal..I had two one inch spots that were about 1/4 in deep. But last year I had appendicitis and had to have an open wound for several weeks. It's not painful, just uncomfortable and more work. Still, you are recovering and you will get more energy day by day.
Good thoughts your way. Hold on, your turning the corner, the worst is behind you!
xo
Laurie
I had a mild bit of the wound issue you are experiencing. I did not need to stuff with gauze...but it did take longer to heal..I had two one inch spots that were about 1/4 in deep. But last year I had appendicitis and had to have an open wound for several weeks. It's not painful, just uncomfortable and more work. Still, you are recovering and you will get more energy day by day.
Good thoughts your way. Hold on, your turning the corner, the worst is behind you!
xo
Laurie
My mother had horrible necrotic skin problems once that lasted for over a year after her leg was amputated. They tried everything' nothing worked until a plastic surgeon told her to wash with dial soap and then he used silver nitrate after debriding sessions. Her wound heal quickly with this method.
Leech
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