my exploratory surgery will have to be open; worried about necrosis!

I was informed bright and early this morning that -- since I have a 6x6 inch piece of mesh across my upper abdomen from the hernia repair, and since the surgeon has no idea what she is looking for once she gets into my abdomen -- my exploratory surgery will have to be open not lap.  I have already talked to the second surgeon that I consulted with regarding the issue (the one who did the referral to the Cleveland Clinic) and he indicated that, yes, no matter who would do the surgery, they would likely have to do an open surgery (although perhaps only a 3 or 4 in*****ision rather than 5 or 6 inches) in order to have full access to the abdominal cavity to check out all possibilities.

When I had my tummy tuck, the entire T-shaped incision (it was a "reverse" tummy tuck... a true T shape... because I had already had my panni done) turned necrotic and I spent 5 months cleaning and packing a giant triangular wound on my belly that was so deep you could see muscle fascia.  I am a mess just thinking about the possibility of this happening again.  I don't know whether I could do that again.

I will ask her about going in with something other than another midline incision, but still... O.M.G. ... {breathe... just breathe...}

Lora

Hang in there,  Sorry to hear you have to go through this.  I am having exploratory surgery in Sept. but the plan is lap.  I would be upset as well if it had to be open.  When is the surgery?

Tuesday at 10:30am...

Lora

I'm sorry to hear that it will be open. Are there things you can do to reduce the risk of the incision turning necrotic?

Lora, I am glad that you finally found someone to take a look at why you have been having so much pain, I am sorry that it has to be open. Think positive, Just because it happened before doesn't mean it will happen again. You can try and take extra protein to see if it will help in your healing faster. In the mean time just try and breath and try not to think the worst. My prayers are with you

Patty

I know you don't want to delay this surgery but you could check into hyperbaric therapy. It can be done before and/or after surgery to help with healing. It is time consuming but it can be worth it to promote the best healing outcome. I am sending you strength and positive energy.

Ugh...sorry to hear this.  Open is going to be harder but I hope you don't have the same problems.  I've now had 2 open surgeries - one was in 1991 (the pretty much didn't do lap then) and then my recent RNY.  I didn't have any necrosis so it may not happen a second time.
GOOD LUCK & keep us posted.
D 

((( HUGS )))..

I've had 5 open surgeries, one Lap was my RNY.  No real problems with any.  I knon recovery was harder but it will be worth it if you can find out what is going on. 

I had the large midline incision 2 1/2 weeks ago, and was pleased at how much things have changed since my prior surgeries. My incision is healing nicely. I am back in the pool, water walking, I was pain free except for the post surgical walking, and laying on anything but my back for two weeks was impossible. Consider that your big fear might turn out to be fear itself,. I do like the idea of hyper baric treatment. I did take large quantities of vitamin c and zinc up to the surgery date, and did physical therapy for two months before surgery. I can't tell you how much that helped. Hospital staff referred to me as the "one with the strong legs"Good luck. Try not to limit your surgeon. I"m putting you onto my care list which gets special thoughts every day.