Question:
Has anyone had to have wound packing done on their incision?

I had an open rny a little over two weeks ago, my incision is about 5 inches long. The top 4 inches has healed perfectly however the bottom inch is an open wound 2 1/2 inches deep however it's currently not infected. I have to have wound packing done twice a day by a visiting nurse. This process is extremely painful and has halted my recovery and mobility. Has anyone else had wound packing? If so, can you give me an idea on how long it took for your wound to heal? I appreciate your responses.    — prissb (posted on February 16, 2000)

February 16, 2000
I also had problems with my incision. The dimensions were the same as yours. The nurse came twice daily for a week and then my daughter did the packing for another week. After 2 weeks the wound was almost healed and I just wore gauze over it for another week while it healed from the inside out. I guess I was fortunate because the packing wasn't painful at all.
   — kaydeeb16

February 16, 2000
I haven't had WLS yet, but when I had my c-section, I had a seroma that needed to be packed. It was about 2 inches wide by 3.5 inches deep. We had to pack it for about 5 1/2 weeks. It was extremely painful. As it healed however, the pain lessened dramatically. By the time it was about an inch deep, it was not painful at all; just bothersome, to have to continue to pack it. You should try to keep moving a little (helps take your mind off of the pain). Hang in there.
   — Kay A.

February 16, 2000
Hi there, I am 8 weeks post op open rny, my wound was open too. I had to pack it three times a day, then two times a day. I am sorry to tell you this, but my wound JUST got a scab on it and is closing. I still clean it twice a day. Good luck to you. take care...Kathy Bishop open rny Dr.Gadaleta 12/15/99 down 38lbs
   — kathy B.

February 16, 2000
I had open RNY on 12/16/99. After about a week I had an infection around the incision, but due to the holidays and the distance from my surgeon -I didn't get some problems with the antibiotic taken care of right away - so the incision opened, and got gross, before I got to see him and have it cleaned out (that hurt, but after wasn't bad, when the tenderness went away). It is just not scabbing over, but my wound was about 3 inches deep, and 4 inches long and 3 inches wide. It gets easier, but it helps to have a family member learn how to pack the wound. Mine took 7 weeks - and the nurse just came 3 days - then I went back to work. It has been annoying, but I am down 46 pounds, and if that was the worst thing, it wasn't so bad. It will get better as it heals, just keep sterile! Good luck!
   — Judith D.

February 17, 2000
I had the same problem. Except that my opening was right in the middle. I just told my husband last night that my hole as closed and has been closed for 3 full days now. I had my surgery on Aug. 14, 1999. Six months ago. It will take the incision some time to completely close. I had a visiting nurse too. However, my packing was not painful. It just scared me to see so much of my inside flesh. Just be patient, it will heal. But it just takes some time. When mine started it was 2 inches long and over a inch deep. In November it closed up to just a pin hole. Then it drained until last Friday, and completely closed on Sunday. Just be careful when it gets to the pin hole state, because mine drained all of the time, especially if I sneezed, bend over, or got up out of a chair too fast. The drainage stuff does wash out of clothes, however, its embarassing when you are out in public and you sneeze and all of a sudden your shirt has a wet spot on the front. Be patient........it will heal......it just takes time. Linda F. ([email protected]) Victorville, CA
   — Linda F.