Post MTL: Cellulitis or Necrotizing Faciitis?

I'm one week out from having a medial thigh lift and adrenalectomy with tumor  removal. Saturday, there was a semi-hard, red, warm painful lump at the junction where the horizonal and vertical incisions meet on the inner thigh.  By Sunday, the lump erupted, and filled with what looked to be tan-grey dead skin. On Monday, the open area was double in now a triangular size, and appeared to be continuing to open. I was seen and told I had cellulitis, and put on Augmentin. I was told to keep it clean and dry, changing out the gauze, as needed.  No debridement was done to remove the dead tissue, nor was a culture done for possible MRSA.  I questioned these things, but was told neither needed to be done. Now Tuesday, and this thing is still growing.  There is now another hard, painful lump heading up the incision line, which my sense is if I don't do more about this, I will be in real trouble - if it meets up with the first, almost all of the inside of my upper thigh will be split open.  The incision has opened up at the same location on the other leg, but doesn't appear to be infected yet.  Anyone have experience with this?  I so don't want to end up back in the hospital.  My ins. co. denied paying for the MTL, so I would assume I would have to pay for complications.

Input appreciated!
Anne

I can't help you on diagnosing your particular problem, because I don't have any experience with that aspect. But I do know, from reading many many posts on plastic surgery forums, that if YOU think something is wrong and isn't being treated seriously enough, then don't let your surgeon dismiss your concerns. Best case scenario, the surgeon is right, and it's just looking worse before it gets better (I dunno though, it sounds like it's getting worse). But you absolutely owe it to yourself to be aggressive and DEMAND the treatment you deserve to be absolutely sure that you don't have complications that could have been treated earlier and more easily. I have talked to so many people who meekly sat back when their surgeon insisted there wasn't a problem, only to end up with serious problems that needed to be corrected by other doctors/surgeons. Or in the hospital. You could have necrosis. You could have MRSA. You could have some other sort of bacterial infection.

Call your surgeon right now. *Tell* them that you will be coming back in because your condition is worsening (don't ask). If you feel that they aren't listening to you or taking enough action, see another doctor. Make an appointment with your primary care doc. Even if they can't diagnose it, they can refer you to a wound care doctor who can. Even if you end up having to pay a wound care specialist now, it's still miles cheaper than having to pay for a hospital stay, wound care, and corrective surgery by another plastic surgeon.

This is the only body you've got, and you value it a whole lot more than your surgeon does. So treat it that way, and get yourself taken care of. Be assertive and fearless. Raise your voice. Raise your fist, if you need to! Keep us posted. Good luck! 

If you think something is wrong with your body, trust your instincts.  Be persistent with your surgeon.  If you don't get answers there, call your primary care physician and have it checked.  Don't waste time on something like this as it can go from bad to worse in no time flat.  Good luck.

I'm in the hospital with an unrelated case of cellulitis right now. It's not something to fool around with, I'd head to the ER, even if you have to pay for it - it's your life after all. Good luck!

How is it looking this morning Anne?  What have you decided to do?  Please check in when you're able to let us know how you are.

Sorry this is going on.

Be insistant!!

Take care and let us know how you are.

My wound on my inner thigh de hissed(split open) it was not infected went to PS 2x a week to make sure it didnt get infected he told me to keep it clean he gave me dressings to change 2x a day and use neosporin oint & put me on an oral antibiotic, it was disgusting looking and split about 6 inches each side lookd like my leg guts were falling out, I kept it covered and it took a good 5 to 6 weeks to close, the scar is ugly he said he would fix it but it is so far up on my inner thigh taht I dont care the only people to see it are my hubby, my GYN and my PS.
my wound opened in a traingular kind of way it kept getting bigger day by day till it finally stoppped itself it was scary and my PS didnt do any cultures I guess they r so experienced they know an infection to see it plus I had no fever and I am diabetic so talk about scary
you wil be fine it takes time
GOOD LUCK Susan

but my legs r so worth it my thighs dont touch each other anymore, this is a complication of MTL

 I finally got in to see the doc today, and was put on a second antibiotic, so now I am on Augmentin and Cipro.  I don't think these were her first choice for treatment, but I'm allergic to sulfa meds.  Looks like I'm not the only one - as if I'm ever unique of what I experience in this life!

I go back to see her on Friday.  She doesn't have clinic that day, but is coming in to see me, to see if things are getting better.  I think I will trust her judgement for now.  She was great post-op following my TT last year, when I had some seromas.  I had this feeling at the time that plastic surgery and my skin don't mix well, but I was bound and determined to have the MTL.  The skin on my thighs were so bad following losing 185 lbs..  Swimming is my sport and it was so embarrassing at the pool.  People would just stare at my thighs, as they looked so disfigured.  Also, dealt with years and years on prescription cortisone creams to control the rashes.  Of course, my ins. co. denied the MTL saying cosmetic.

Thanks guys, for all your input and support!
Anne