DIEP recon: tissue necrosis question--a bit unpleasant in detail

newusernam3

Hi,

I had a DIEP flap reconstruction mid-February. The flaps themselves are doing great, but some of the surrounding skin tissue developed necrosis shortly after surgery. The "scabby" parts were removed at my last appointment, and I'm putting a special ointment on it daily. My question is: what is normal in this healing process? The doctor said the skin would turn yellowy/pink and eventually scar. But in the process to get to that, what is in the range of "normal", ie, no need for concern? I have 2 spots, one of which is getting smaller and seems to be healing. The other is painful, and does not seem to be improving and part of it is bleeding and has areas of open-ness (these "open"-looking spots are not large, smaller than a penny)...I won't go on, but I just wanted to see what is the range of normal, and do I need to be worried about it?

As an aside, I called the nurse the other day because of the pain, and she said that wasn't unexpected. But I don't want to call again and bother everyone because it's bleeding, etc unless that is uncommon or worrisome.

Thank you for reading!

Falconer

Newusername3,
I'd call again. Please don't think you're being a bother. My PS was a 90 minute car ride, so I sent photos when I had concerns. Would your PS be willing to look at an image?
Your pain concerns me- by 6 weeks I was pretty well healed.
Call the doctor.

newusernam3

Thank you, I really appreciate your response!