Question:
Incision problems

I had open RNY on 11-7-01. My incision has an open area that is about 3 inches long. My surgeon wants me to pack it 3x daily with gauze soaked in saline, which really hurts. It has shown very little improvement. Has anyone else had this problem, and what did you do? Thanks - Paulette    — Paulette W. (posted on December 4, 2001)

December 3, 2001
Check out Victoria Bowen's profile page and web site. She had an open incision after her tummy tuck. I think you might find some good information there. Good luck!
   — Toni2760

December 4, 2001
Dear Paulette, I had an incision infection that surfaced about 9 days-post-op. It didn't open, it just drained tons of ooze. I had to go to my dr. where he removed 5 staples and a stitch. From the start he ordered a home health care nurse to come to my house and pack it two times a day...and then after about 2 weeks it went to 1 time a day. It started at approximately 5 inches deep and it took 6 weeks before he decided to go ahead and let it close up the rest of the way by itself. I didn't look at your profile, but I'm assuming that your insurance company paid for your surgery. You need to contact your dr. and tell him you are incapable of packing it by yourself and you want a home nurse to come to you. Your dr, your dr's nurses, home nurses and even your insurance company will/have to ask you if you or any other family member can do this...say NO. Besides, your opened incision needs to be completely sterile...for this very reason, you need a nurse. Tell your dr. it hurts so bad you don't want it done and a very important thing to say "you don't want to introduce any foreign germ or body"...this will most likely get you a nurse. Also, the fact that it's saline soaked gauze is good--but, if it's hurting, you're probably packing it too tight. Not that it never hurts, but it usually starts to hurt more as it heals and it's drier. Really, call your ins. company, PCP, surgeon--whoever and have a professional take care of it. I wish you luck and email me if you want.
   — Kristin R.

December 4, 2001
Sorry to write again. I forgot to include that because your insurance company paid for the surgery; they are responsible for any condition that surfaces because of the surgery (that they paid for)...so you are intitled to have a home nurse--ordered by your dr--paid for by your insurance company.
   — Kristin R.

December 4, 2001
Hi i too had open wound mine was 6 inches long deep to the guts all the way in they had to keep reopening it for 11 months i packed it 4 times a day with saline gauze from week 2 after surgery even did it myself in the hospital. if it hurt mabey it is drying out so before youpull outold gauze soak it then gently take it out flush well then lightly pack and be sure to resoak. I even would add some saline between packings if i thought it was getting dry. I did have a home nurse for a month but not for the wound care it was to check other complications, if your insurance will pay get a home nurse if you think it will halp by allmeans, but what ever you do keep it moist and super clean and steril hope this helps
   — BBD

December 5, 2001
Hi Paulette, I also had an open incision about 2 wks post op that lasted until 6 wks. It was about 2 inches long, not too deep so it didn't have to be packed but it oozed constantly and really bothered me. My doctor just had me keep it clean, I poured peroxide over it twice daily and kept sterile bandages on it and it eventually closed on its own but the scar at that area is wider than the rest. You'll be fine, I've heard this happens to many of us.
   — Sheila R.