Open Wound and Wound Vac

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trying2staypositive7
trying2staypositive7 Member Posts: 96
edited November 2014 in Breast Reconstruction
I was wondering how long you have to stay on a wound vac and what happens when they remove it? I had a tissue expander in my right breast that ended up getting infected. My plastic surgeon removed the tissue expander and left the wound open because the infection turned out to be a staph infection. He immediately put me on a wound vac (i've been on it almost two weeks). At first my surgeon said that the vac would be on two weeks but he hasn't said anything recently (i have home health nurse that looks after the wound). I'm just confused. Has anyone had a wound vac? How long did you have it on? When they took it off, did they leave the wound open or stitch you up? Any help that you could provide would be much appreciated! Thank you so much!
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  • lulud471
    lulud471 Member Posts: 89
    edited October 2014

    I had wound vac after healing problems after implants had to be removed.  I had it for approx 10 days.  Then needed it again when the right side wouldn't heal....had that one for two weeks.  After both instances, they did not stitch me up however the open area was very small.  I wish you the best of luck.  I had infection problems on right side for 10 months causing 5 surgeries and lots of misery for me because I cannot stand blood and stuff lol.  Anyway, as it turns out, the infection I had was severely under-treated.  I was on 20 antibiotics but none for more than two weeks until I finally went to infectious disease expert at Hopkins...8 weeks of the correct oral antibiotic did the trick!  

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  • trying2staypositive7
    trying2staypositive7 Member Posts: 96
    edited October 2014

    Thanks! Im glad that your infection cleared up. I've been on the wound vac for two weeks but it feels like two years! Lol!


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  • lulud471
    lulud471 Member Posts: 89
    edited October 2014

    hang in there!  Are you tolerating the tape changes ok?  They changed mine 2 or 3 times a week I think.

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  • trying2staypositive7
    trying2staypositive7 Member Posts: 96
    edited October 2014

    Hi! Thanks for checking on me! I hate those taoe changes! They change it three times a week and the tape hurt reaky bad the first time. Now i take it off myself using a blow dryer (much better). But, it does hurt when the sponge comes out. I just keep thinking this will be over soon (hopefully)! I have about another two weeks left. How are you doing?

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  • lulud471
    lulud471 Member Posts: 89
    edited October 2014

    I'm so glad you found something to make the tape change easier!  I would take pain meds an hour before tape/sponge change ...I don't tolerate pain very well at all!  :-(  

    Now I am doing great.  I had infection cleared up by fall of 2013 - one year after mastectomy.  Just last month I had DIEP reconstruction and everything is going perfectly.  I am sooooo happy!  Hoping your wound vac can come off soon & you can heal!

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  • trying2staypositive7
    trying2staypositive7 Member Posts: 96
    edited October 2014

    Thanks so much for all of the help! I'm glad that everything's going well ! That gives me something to look forward to!


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  • trying2staypositive7
    trying2staypositive7 Member Posts: 96
    edited November 2014

    Yay! My vac came off Friday! Now i just have to cover the wound till it closes. It's a good day

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  • lulud471
    lulud471 Member Posts: 89
    edited November 2014

    I happy for you!! It will be easier for you from now on!! :-)

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