Open wound healing times questions

clarrn

I know we all are extremely different and will all heal depending on our own specifics but I am just curious. How big was your open wound? How long did it take to heal from the bottom up? Was it radiated tissue? Sorry if you had to go through this too... aren't we the lucky ones

I had an implant extrude due to cellulitis post op so it had to go. My open wound is 4x4cm opening with undermining of 14cmx10cm or the size of a 555ml implant. I can see my ribs (gross) and it's been 2 weeks of packing with a decrease in drainage but no new tissue yet. Right now I am just feeling like it wont' ever heal so stories of yours healing, even if it's super long will still give me hope.

SpecialK

clarn - I am so sorry to hear this - it is scary.  I have had a variety of open wounds with several of the surgeries - a number of them were failed excisional surgeries to remove necrosis, but none that large.  I currently have a small open area that has been open for two months on the side that lost the implant - it does not require packing, just dressing.  With something large I would be sure to eat 100g of protein daily, and try supplementing with zinc, bromelaine, and maybe arnica.  Has there been any discussion about hyperbaric chamber sessions to help with healing?

clarrn

Thanks for all the tips Special K. I am taking extra protein and zinc, will look for the other supplements! No talk of hyperbaric chamber yet.

SpecialK

clarn - it is rough, but hang in there!

clarrn

Update- plastic surgeon looked at the pictures I sent her. When she actually sees me on the 15th she says she will give me a referral for wound vac. Hope that will speed things up.

kamm

I also had to heal my mastectomy incisions open in varying forms. Right side, the whole thing, left side just the two ends were open. If I recall correctly it took about 6 weeks.

TerryMarie

I had a lumpectomy and it wasnt healed after 2 mths , I had to go back to my surgeon and he had to reopen it and press down on it to drain it, I actually saw a geyser of 'stuff' come out of my breast and shoot up about 8 inches, how bizarre. After he did that , it finally started to heal. I wish you the best.

jbdayton

My wound was the entire lower incision of a Ruben's flap. It gaped open and was about 4" long and 2 " deep. We packed it for 7 weeks then I got a wound vac for 3 weeks to finish healing. My prayers are with you, it is a long process. I can send you a couple of pictures if you would like.

Good luck it will heal.

clarrn

Thanks everyone! You do give me hope! And yes jbdayton, I would love pictures to compare! Thank you. First sign of granulation tissue today

clarrn

Update: healing slowly! Wound is now about 3cmx2cm and has about 7cms of packing. Dressing changes 3 days a week. Yeast infection caused by wound vac do only had it on for 3 weeks.

clarrn

Update: 99 days and my wound is finally closed. Still battling with the yeast but it is slowly improving. I could smuggle a golf ball in the weird scar tissue... but will see my PS in 6 months to discuss flap options.

jbdayton

So glad you are now healed. Good luck with your flap surgeries.

I hope your wound healing was a fluke and your future incisions heal quickly and cleanly.

I just had another revision with 5 incisions on June 1 and they all healed with no problems. YEA!!!

clarrn