I had a tummy tuck on 9/23/14. Everything healed up perfectly, other than a small spot on both of my hip bones. One side opened up just a little, but the other is almost 2" long and 1/2" wide. My doctor told me to use Skintegrity Hydrogel on it, which I have been for almost 2 weeks. It looks better (not as red and puffy) but hasn't gotten any smaller. Doctor says he's satisfied with how it looks, but I'm starting to get a little worried. Any opinions on what will make this heal faster?
November 11, 2014
Answer: Open Wound Management You have a common problem seen rarely in my practice after surgery. I usually recommend cleaning the wound once or twice a day in the shower with a bar of Dove soap. Dove soap was originally made for burn victims, so it doesn't hurt (burn), after the shower dry the wound and then apply the hydrogel. The hydrogel is what I usually use in my practice once there is clean granulation tissue, which you apparently have. Your physician is handling the wound well. I had a patient some years ago who was smoking after a tummy tuck by another surgeon some distance from her home, her entire abdominal wall (necrosed), turned black and needed debridement. It took her 6 months to heal. You will probably be healed in six weeks on the outside. Smoking can inhibit wound healing and affect the tummy flap survival. Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor which metabolizes to Cotinine which is a vasodilator that stays in the blood stream 8 to 12 times longer then nicotine. However the Carbon Monoxide from any smoke inhibits oxygen delivery to the tissue thus causing wound issues. So do not smoke and avoid a room where people maybe smoking. Good luck...
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November 11, 2014
Answer: Open Wound Management You have a common problem seen rarely in my practice after surgery. I usually recommend cleaning the wound once or twice a day in the shower with a bar of Dove soap. Dove soap was originally made for burn victims, so it doesn't hurt (burn), after the shower dry the wound and then apply the hydrogel. The hydrogel is what I usually use in my practice once there is clean granulation tissue, which you apparently have. Your physician is handling the wound well. I had a patient some years ago who was smoking after a tummy tuck by another surgeon some distance from her home, her entire abdominal wall (necrosed), turned black and needed debridement. It took her 6 months to heal. You will probably be healed in six weeks on the outside. Smoking can inhibit wound healing and affect the tummy flap survival. Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor which metabolizes to Cotinine which is a vasodilator that stays in the blood stream 8 to 12 times longer then nicotine. However the Carbon Monoxide from any smoke inhibits oxygen delivery to the tissue thus causing wound issues. So do not smoke and avoid a room where people maybe smoking. Good luck...
Helpful
November 11, 2014
Answer: Tummy tuck wound Thanks for your inquiry and excellent pictures. Sorry for your delay in wound healing, but it does happen sometimes. You have a good surgeon who is managing your recovery and sounds like is seeing you regularly. My only thing to add is if you use nicotine--don't, it can delay the healing. Otherwise, please keep up your appts with your surgeon, it looks like you will get a nice result. Good Luck.
Helpful
November 11, 2014
Answer: Tummy tuck wound Thanks for your inquiry and excellent pictures. Sorry for your delay in wound healing, but it does happen sometimes. You have a good surgeon who is managing your recovery and sounds like is seeing you regularly. My only thing to add is if you use nicotine--don't, it can delay the healing. Otherwise, please keep up your appts with your surgeon, it looks like you will get a nice result. Good Luck.
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